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Who we are:
Caltech Masters Swim Club (CTMSC) has approximately 60 active members who enjoy coached group training. Team members' abilities range from getting-back-into-shape to competitive.
Lanes are organized by speed and ability, however, you should be able to swim at least 100 yards comfortably.
We swim in the Braun pool, which is located on the Caltech campus. It's a 25-yard, 8-lane pool and graduates in depth from 7 feet to 14 feet, with deck or ladder entry only.
CTMSC is open to both Caltech and non-Caltech members. We offer a friendly, supportive atmosphere, and we always welcome new members!
Workouts:
They typically include a warm-up set followed by a main set, kick set, pull set, and cool-down. You can also expect short or long sets, depending on the coach. Yardage per workout is up to you but generally falls in the 2000 to 4500 range. Coaches are happy to modify sets based on ability. Just ask!
Caltech has kickboards and pull buoys available on the pool deck for all swimmers to use. If you wish to have fins, paddles or snorkles, you will need to bring your own.
Schedule:
Braun pool Caltech Campus, year-round every Tuesday and Thursday 7:00pm-8:20pm,
June thru August, Monday morning, 6-7 am
Check the Facility Schedule.
*Some are meeting at the Rosemead pool (9155 Mission Dr, $5 exact change) on Saturday mornings at 10:00am to swim and then go to lunch.
*Many of our swimmers are avid open water swimmers and frequently can be found at Hermosa Beach on Saturday mornings. Feel free to join in for an ocean swim or take a walk on the beach instead and join them for breakfast afterward.
Location:
Braun Athletic Center (Brown Gym)
1200 E. California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
Parking:
You can park for free in the underground garage on campus or on Wilson Avenue.
Check in at the Brown Gym (East of the pools).
Meet The Coaches:
It has been said, "Every Masters coach I have ever met has been friendly, encouraging, and all around a terrific coach; the Caltech coaches are no exception" - Anonymous.
 Ken Grace
Kenny has been coaching since the invention of water in 1978. After decades of leading and inspiring Caltech Masters swimmers, he stepped back in 2025 and became coach emeritus. Kenny's smile, enthusiasm and creative sets will be missed! He was famously known to throw in a Bon Bon at the end of the workout in the form of relay sprints. We wish Kenny the best and thank him for his stability, patience, and graciousness with all us crazy swimmers.
Warm up with 10 minutes of mixed swimming
10 x 50-fast down easy back
1 x 400 swim pick up pace last 100 yards
Kick 6 x 75 with 20-30 sec. rest for each 75 done
Pulls 6 x 200 30 sec. rest between 200s
Swim 1 x 50, 1 x 100, 1 x 200, 1 x 100, 1 x 50
with 10 sec. rest for each 50 done.
(3050 yards + warm-up)
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 Dennis Cassidy
Dennis joined Caltech Masters as a Coach in the summer of 2025. He is a former division 1 swimming All American and started his coaching career in 2016. His favorite events were the 200 and 500 free (and occasionally the 100 breaststroke). At a staggering 6'1" 240 pounds of muscle, he has stated he can still bust out a 25 free faster than anyone in the pool. He is a carpenter by day, and swim coach on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Caltech. He loves the sport and loves working with others to accomplish their goals. "I want this Masters program to grow and be more of a family than ever! Good vibes only".
Typical workout would be:
Typical workout would be:
WARM-UP
300 choice 200 kick 200 pull
6x75s odds breath control freestyle, evens choice
10x50s kick fins and snorkel optional
1650 yds
MAIN SET
6x 100 and a 50
100s are build and 50s are 25 fast 25 easy
Odds free, evens choice stroke
2550 yds
2x300s pull steady state-strong
3150 total yards |
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Caitlin Scott
Caitlin graduated from Caltech in 2014 with a PhD in Chemistry, and she is happy to be back with Caltech Masters! Since joining the team in 2023, she has qualified for U.S. Masters National Championships in six events and can be frequently seen at local Masters swim meets. Her favorite events are IM and breaststroke. Caitlin is the go-to back up coach, walking the pool deck when others are not available. Her coaching goal is to have swimmers do 3000-4000 yards in 80 minutes.
An example work-out would be:
600 warm-up
4 x 100 50 kick/50 swim
6 x 75 kick
3 x 200 pull
5 x 100 IM
12 x 25 stroke
200 warm down (3150 yards) |
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Membership:
All Caltech Masters team members are required to be current members of United States Masters Swimming. Current dues for USMS are $70 per year. When you join USMS, you will also become a member of Southern Pacific Masters Swimming (SPMS). List your club as CTM.
Caltech Masters dues are $60 per month, or $50 per month if 3 or more months are paid ahead at one time. Dues are paid either by cash or check made out to 'Caltech Swim Club' and given to the coach on deck. You can also pay via Zelle to caltechmasterswim@gmail.com
membership Inquiry form.
Club Social Activities:
We typically have two social gatherings a year, one in the summer and one in December. They vary in location (this year's summer event was in sunny San Clemente!), but they're usually held in a private home in the Pasadena area, and they're always fun.
Interested in Joining Caltech Masters?
If you would like a one time free session trial or join, please contact us by filling out and emailing back this membership Inquiry form.
USMS contact/membership & Caltech Liaison: Suzy Dodd
CaltechLiaison at CTMSC dot org
Treasurer: Dan and Lori Stein
Treasurer at CTMSC dot org
Coach Liaison: Jan Martin
Coach at CTMSC dot org
Webmaster: Tom O'Hara
Webmaster at CTMSC dot org
Lap Swimming and Lessons Resources:
Arcadia County Pool Norman Johnson Aquatic Center 405 South Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia (626) 821-5894. Cost: $15 for 5 entries or $80 for 30 entries on line only - Membership Sign Up. Pool open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11am to 7pm - call.
City of Duarte Fitness Center 1600 Huntington Dr 626-357-6118. Mon. thru Sat. 6:30am to 8:00am, 8 lanes, 2 swimmers per lane with 45 min. limit if people waiting. Every day, 11am-1pm, 6 lanes available for lap swimmers + area for 12 self directed aerobics. Cost $2 per entry, $1 for seniors 55+.
Rosemead Aquatic Center - 9155 Mission Dr, Rosemead, CA 91770 (626) 569-2273. 14 lanes. Currently, no reservation necessary, $3 residents, $5 non-residents, exact change. Mon. & Wed. 5pm-8pm, Tue. & Thu. 4-5:30pm, Sat 10:00am to 12:00pm.
Sierra Madre Aquatic Center at Sierra Vista park 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre CA 91024. Phone (626) 355-2356. Call for hours.
El Monte Aquatic Center - 11001 Mildred St, El Monte, CA 91731 (626) 580-2213. Senior Lap Swimming Mondays and Wednesdays 9am to 9:50am and 11am to 11:50am. Must sign up in person Monday mornings at 8:15am and prepay reservation for the week.
Other Links of Interest:
Foothill Flyers Running Club. Fun walk/jog/runs Wednesday 6pm from REI, 214 N. Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia (cross street Santa Clara) - Next to the Arcadia Metro Gold line train station. Many local mountain trail maps and info on the Run Routes & Maps web page.
Gallery:
Elk Lake 3K and 1.5K Swim Bend Oregon - August 1, 2025
Corona Del Mar 1 Mile Open Water Swim - August 2025
Linda Simons finishes the 28.5 Mile 20 Bridges Around Manhattan Island Swim in 8hrs. 43 mins. - July 20, 2025
Linda Simons receives her finishers medal from the New York Open Water organization.
San Clemente 1 Mile Open Water Swim - July 2025
Rose Bowl Masters SCY Swim Meet - March 2025
La Jolla Cove 10 mile relay - September 2024
La Jolla Cove 10 mile relay - September 2023
U.S. Masters 2023 Spring Nationals, Irvine
Club Holiday Party Dec. 2022
La Jolla Cove 10 mile relay - September 2022
Caltech pool deck after the 2017 Pentathlon. Much of the water was splashed by the swimmers on the timers.
The Beach Group - click to enlarge images
Don Burns 1 Mile Corona Del Mar Open Water Swim 2017.
Long-course Masters Nationals in Portland Oregon - August of 2016.
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The Caltech Masters Swim Club
