Vinus vanBaalen

RE: Vinus vanBaalen

pdjang — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:15:46 GMT

Vinus was a great human being, champion swimmer and quite a character. I believe his home was in Canada and that he swam for San Diego Masters. Vinus was know to drive great distances to compete in many US championships and the Long Beach SCY Holiday Invite. I was quite surprised when he showed up at my home pool (at New Mexico State). When I asked him where he was staying, He replied "Hotel Walmart"! Finally, Vinus was a member of the Dutch Olympic Swimming team. I'll miss his dry sense of humor and his fierce competitive spirit! Vinus vanBaalen, Olympian 1964, has passed away at age 70. I met him at the Huntsman Games 2 years ago and found this seemingly quiet man to be quite a gem. I know he'd competed as recently as May, and was registered but unable to attend LCM Nat's in Omaha. His good friend, Pete Anderson, was keeping me up to date. www.usms.org/.../02C3V 50m free 23.90 winner Paul Wilkins - YouTube www.sports-reference.com/.../vinus-van-baalen-1.html

RE: Vinus vanBaalen

chowmi — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:58:54 GMT

Very sad news. And so still so young!! I particularly enjoyed his G-rated, mixed-company stories of "What Happens in the Olympic Village in the 1960's".....

RE: Vinus vanBaalen

poolraat — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:15:36 GMT

I was saddened to hear this. I first met him at the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh in 2005 and always enjoyed talking with him when we saw each other at Nationals.

RE: Vinus vanBaalen

Allen Stark — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:52:11 GMT

Wow.I saw him swim many times.I wondered what happened to him at Omaha.My condolences to his family.

RE: Vinus vanBaalen

Glenn — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:32:05 GMT

Vinus was always a tough competitor. He put down some very very good times. I am sad to hear this news.

RE: Vinus vanBaalen

Rich Abrahams — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:58:22 GMT

I'm truly shocked and saddened at this news. We often competed against each other at the Long Beach meet and had many pleasant and interesting conversations. He competed with San Diego but I believe he lived in Idaho or Montana. I will miss him.