UPDATED AND REVISED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022:
Please note that the average swimmer in Low Pressure Zone (LPZ) swims 100 yards in an average of 3-4 minutes and maintains that pace for an entire practice (1-2 hours). If you are able to swim 100 yards in 2 minutes or less, and continuously maintain that pace for up to 2 hours with proficient freestyle and backstroke, then you are ready for regular masters speed swimming practices. If you are not able to swim 100 yards in at least 4 minutes, we may need to make special accommodations for you to participate in LPZ. Our goal is to meet all students where they are. If you do not yet have basic lifesaving skills (floating, treading water, rhythmic breathing, freestyle, backstroke, etc.), then the appropriate clinic program for you may be our beginners’ swim clinic program called Adult Learn-to-Swim. To discuss special accommodations, please contact us at: clinics@tnya.org
Our intermediate swimming clinics, “Low Pressure Zone” (LPZ), return to John Jay College on Saturday, September 10! LPZ practices will be held on Saturdays from 12:30pm to 2:00pm at John Jay College. This 90-minute clinic-style practice for intermediate swimmers created a space for swimmers with basic skills to help them improve technique building up to masters-level swimming. Our mission is to attract new swimmers who have historically been excluded from pool access, especially people of color and the trans/gender non-confirming/non-binary community. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to bring LPZ back to Sacred Heart or the Brooklyn Armory at this time.
Do you already have basic skills (floating, treading water, rhythmic breathing, freestyle, swimming laps, etc.)? Are you new to organized swim practices? Are you looking to learn the basics of how these things work in lap swimming? We will teach you everything you need to know in a relaxed, stress-free environment. The LPZ offers workouts using a slower pace appropriate for intermediate swimmers. Even though the focus is on improving speed and stamina, LPZ also includes drills to improve stroke technique.
LPZ Swim Membership Requirements
TNYA & US Masters Swimming Membership
TNYA Membership and U.S. Masters Swimming Membership are required for practice. To join each organization, follow the steps to sign up using MINDBODY. If the cost of membership or practice is too high for your budget, please do not that keep you from swimming LPZ! For financial assistance, apply for a Fortoul Fellowship to have the costs reduced. We want you to get all the benefits of LPZ and Fortoul Fellowship programs.
Book Your Practices
After you create an account in MINDBODY and pay your membership dues to TNYA and USMS, you will be able to attend practices. You must book practices at least thirty (30) minutes before practice begins. You can book your practices through the practice schedule calendar in MINDBODY. If you have any questions about LPZ, please e-mail us at: clinics@tnya.org
If you have booked, and cannot attend, please cancel so we know you are not coming. Cancel without being charged up to two (2) hours before the start of the practice. After that, the practice is not refundable. If you have any trouble booking, please email us at: clinics@tnya.org
Attending LPZ Practice
Please read the COVID policies and procedures thoroughly before you attend practice. If you’ve never taken part in an organized swim practice before, please read this intro to swim etiquette.
You should bring:
- Proof of your COVID Vaccination (everyone over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated against COVID as per the city mandate and the facility’s rules)
- Towel
- Swim Goggles
- Swim Cap
- Swimsuit
- Bag for your belongings
We recommend arriving 10-20 minutes early for your first LPZ practice. Tell the Gatekeeper you are there for the “LPZ” practice. The Gatekeeper will introduce you to the LPZ Coach. Please tell the Coach your swimming experience and whether you know how to read a swim workout.
Special Thank You
A very special “Thank You” to Heritage of Pride (NYC Pride) for providing $2,500 in grant funding through their Pride Gives Back Grant Program to help us restart this program and offer it for free in the Spring of 2021.
