By Mike Gustafson//Correspondent When attempting to understand the Olympic qualification process for the Open Water 10K event, only now do I regret my college major, “Radio-TV-Film.” I feel as though astrophysics or “math” (Is that a major? Or is it more specific?) would have been a better major to assist my understanding. There are two Olympic Qualification Competitions? And swimmers have to compete internationally to determine a national Olympic roster spot? And only up to 25 swimmers get selected for the Olympics in each gender, but only the top 10...

Two years ago, Gulf Coast Swim Team coach Don Henshaw watched one of his star pupils — Molly DuBrasky — miss qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials by a second. “She just couldn’t get over the hump,” recalled Henshaw, who coached DuBrasky at the club level throughout her high school career. Last month, Henshaw witnessed DuBrasky give it another shot at trying to beat the 2:16.49 standard mark in the 200 butterfly to qualify for the Trials. This time it was mission accomplished. DuBrasky, a five-time state champion...

Welcome to the 2012 Open Water Festival hosted by Gulf Coast Swim Team. Miromar Lakes is located off Ben Hill Griffin at 18101 Miromar Lakes Parkway in Miromar Lakes, FL 33913 It is between Alico Rd. exit  to the North, and Corkscrew Rd exit to the South from I-75.  Turn east off Ben Hill Griffin onto Miromar Lakes Parkway going past a large fountain. Pull up to the gate house, and proceed to the lakefront.  Take a left and the venue wil be on your right. Parking will be further...

Coach Gregg will have an open water practice at Miromar Lakes on Wednesday April 25 at 5 PM. Coach Gregg's swimmers that are not going to the lake can train with Coach Taylor at FGCU. Coach Don will have an open water practice at Miromar Lakes on Thursday April 26th at 5 PM. Senior swimmers that are not going to the lake can train with Coach Connie at FGCU. Masters swimmers may attend either open water workout. All other groups will remain on their normal schedule.  

The drowning a year and a half ago of U.S. open water swimming national champion Fran Crippen off the shore of Dubai cast a pall over the sport and forced it to re-examine safety measures. As the sport regains a sense of normalcy heading into this summer’s Olympics in London, Fort Myers, one of its long-standing home bases, rejoins the national picture, and local organizers hope it stays that way. After last year’s USA Swimming Open Water National Championships were abruptly moved from Fort Myers Beach to Fort Lauderdale over...

Sunday:  A windy day didn't slow down GCST swimmers as we claimed 4 High Point Awards.  Mckenna Fiore won the 8 & Under girls high point award. Savannah Bowser won the 13-14 Girls high point award.  Courtney DeVeny won the Senior girls high point award. Matt Nielsen won the Senior boys high point award.  GCST swimmers posted 27 new championship qualifying times for the 2012 Long Course season.  All Best Times: Ally Bravo, Mckenna Fiore, Natalie Ippolito, Shelby Jacobson, Bri Judah, Karsten Kunst, Isabella Marsala, Roe Marsala, Josh McHarris, Antonio...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The top open water swimmers in the U.S. will compete April 27 and 29 in Fort Myers, Fla., at the 2012 USA Swimming Open Water National Championships. The competition includes both a 10K and 5K race, with the 10K race serving as the Trials for the 2012-13 USA Swimming National Open Water Team and National Junior Open Water Team. The top two female finishers in the 10K race will be selected to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Qualifier Event in Setubal, Portugal on June 8....

  Posted by Miles on April 15th, 2012 05:52 AM | 10K Swim, California (USA), International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Open Water Swimming, OWS Feature   The USA Swimming selection for the 2012 Olympic 10km Marathon Swim qualification race in Portugal in June is coming up on April 27th. The Open Water Swimming Festival in Miromar Lakes in Fort Myers, Florida will showcase a group of elite American women who will undoubtedly pop off the most competitive open water race ever held on American soil. For the stakes cannot be...

Only 13 tickets left....Contact Laura ASAP to attend!!! Spaghetti Dinner, Silent Auction, and Musical Extravaganza                              fundraiser for the Gulf Coast Swim Team of North Fort Myers                                  Covenant Presbyterian Church                  2439 McGregor Boulevard  Fort Myers, FL 33901         Saturday, May 5, 2012                                                             Doors Open at 5:30 pm               Tickets:   $25 for family (up to 5 people)  Singles:  $12 Adult              $ 6 Child                             If paying by check, please make check out to  Laura Verwest                                        With check memo:  “GCST  FUNDRAISER “                                  If you do not...

GCST's Hannah Albion is set to compete in the USA Swimming National 5K Open Water Championships held at Miromar Lakes.  GCST is hosting this years National Open Water events, along with the Florida Swimming Open Water Championships, All-Star OW Challenge, The Crippen Sunset Mile, Masters 5K, and GCST 5K Race on April 27-29 as part of the 2012 Open Water Festival. Information can be found at openwaterfestival.org, and on the GCST website. National 10K & 5K Start Lists