Brown added that she expects the trip to prepare the team mentally for its Ivy League opener at Pennsylvania on January 9.

Fun in the Sun

The men's swimming team will be training in Key West, Fla., from December 27 to January 5.

Coach Joe Bernal said the trip--which is funded by swimming lessons given by the team to the community, and by donations from the Friends of Harvard Swimming--"is an invaluable part of our season."

"[It] offers a great environment away from the demands of school," he added, saying that it would draw team members closer together as a unit.

When asked whether the team would be distracted by the sunny Florida weather, freshman Stuart Hirsch said, "Swimming is first down there. We'll be in the pool about five hours a day. All we'll be able to do is swim and lie in the sun and eat."

The women's swimming team will be training in Puerto Rico from December 27 to January 6.

Assistant Coach Carol Landry was excited about the trip, which was funded by swimming lessons, donations and a spring minitriathlon.

"They have to keep in shape, especially with reading period and finals coming up," Landry said. "We really can't do much, then. We hope this can tide them over."

Sophomore Janice Sweetser called the trip "a great chance to get to know each other."

"We train outdoors," added Sweetser, "so we get the extra benefit of a nice tan on our backs."

That's more than most students will be able to say about their winter breaks.