Oldest Swimmer...

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:35:31 GMT

Blimey what an inspiration all of these folks are…. I often say to training buddies that I want to be the oldest and fastest athlete on the planet – now I’m not so sure, I have such a lot to live up to!! At 51 I thought I would get impressive when 70 or 80, now I need another 50+ years to get up there with the best of them!!! I have been working with my 81 year old father for a few years on his swimming. As a non swimmer he took it up when he became too lame to run or cycle. He loves improving and talks non stop about the stroke techniques and the times he is doing… He is also into rowing and wants to be competitive in the UK Champs 85-90 age group – he’s in training for it now :applaud:

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:39:22 GMT

Had the pleasure to met and swim with Spanish Bernarda Angulo died 9 December 2009 – 97 years old. Days before she gave an interview to El Pais www.elpais.com/.../Tes , and participated at the European Championship in Cadiz where she won 50,100, and 200 back. She was a good example of simplicity and love for the sport. Hope we have more like her around Master swimming! Happy new year!

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:26:12 GMT

This site shows his date of birth as 1894. www.hcoa.org/.../tom_lane.htm Oh, yeah, you're right. Somehow I got it mixed up. I also didn't find any obituary of him. Hope he's still alive even if not swimming :). Btw he started swimming competitively at 82; I had thought he didn't swim at all before that. Smart of him to wait until there were no rivals to compete ;)

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:48:26 GMT

I saw Tom Lane swim when he was in his late 90's. The graceful way he carried himself outside of the water was impressive - he stood straight and tall.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

FindingMyInnerFish — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:32:15 GMT

While a "youngster" compared to the swimmers mentioned above, a woman I met at several meets and open water races, who is in her mid-70s did the Chesapeake swim (4.4 miles) in her late sixties/early seventies (can't remember exactly), and she regularly whups my 50something self in meets, in every event. I want to be like her when I grow up. :)

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:32:35 GMT

Thanks for letting us know Karlene. Amazing to swim into 104.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

pwolf66 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:04:21 GMT

If he's 100 in 2000, he should be 109 now. What impressed me is that he started swimming at 82, at which age most people would have stopped thinking about doing sports. This site shows his date of birth as 1894. www.hcoa.org/.../tom_lane.htm

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Karlene — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:24:17 GMT

I had the privilege of watching Tom Lane swim at both the '92 and '94 World Championships. He was in the 100-104 age group in 1994. I believe he passed away in about 1998 and, as I recall, he was still swimming until shortly before he died at age 104.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:25:34 GMT

I doubt it as he would be 115. It's possible tho. I haven't found anything on the 'Net about his passing. If he's 100 in 2000, he should be 109 now. What impressed me is that he started swimming at 82, at which age most people would have stopped thinking about doing sports.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:57:05 GMT

Does anyone know if Tom Lane is still living and even swimming?

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

ViveBene — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:02:23 GMT

What is the oldest swimmer that you have been on a team with, or had the opportunity to coach? Don't know how old the oldest swimmer was because I didn't ask. Both older and faster than I, however. If he's 100 in 2000, he should be 109 now. What impressed me is that he started swimming at 82, at which age most people would have stopped thinking about doing sports. Er, I have photographic documentation of Ted Erikson doing the New Year's plunge yesterday, and he's, um (18, count fingers, carry 2-13, minus 29, squared), in the ballpark! And is heading up a 3-generation swim of the Bosporus this summer! :) Of course, he is also a swimming phenom. Happy New Year! Did everyone get out for a blue moon swim? Under the dripping icicles?

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

pwolf66 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:05:15 GMT

Does anyone know if Tom Lane is still living and even swimming? I doubt it as he would be 115. It's possible tho. I haven't found anything on the 'Net about his passing.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

pdjang — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:10:00 GMT

What is the oldest swimmer that you have been on a team with, or had the opportunity to coach? My personal experience: an 81 year old, and let me tell you that he blew almost everyone else out of the water with regard to endurance! He could go on and on forever (not very fast, though). Definitely interested in hearing others! Happy New Year! I have the pleasure of swimming with Jordan and Marion Wolle at the beautiful New Mexico State University Natatorium. Jordan and Marion are 81 years young and are registered with San Diego Masters. Jordan is a multiple national champion and top-tenor (yes, he sings in the shower). Today, we swam our annual New Year Swim (110 x 100 on 1:45). Jordan swam 5000! Besides being a great swimmer, he possess both a sharp wit and quick mind. My hero, my inspiration and my nemesis (lousy tone). I hope to swim 5000 when I reach 80.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:05:21 GMT

That guy is hardcore. I hope I can be like that at 95.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:53:28 GMT

Check out our relay team from this spring's state meet... 1 BCYM-19 A 4:10.64 18 1) Pope, Donald B M93 2) Doud, Bob R M84 3) Korten, Don H M81 4) Reese, John M82 1:49.92 52.78 46.76 41.18 That is excellent!! Cheers to them! :drink:

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Michael Heather — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:57:21 GMT

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

waves101 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:54:10 GMT

Check out our relay team from this spring's state meet... 1 BCYM-19 A 4:10.64 18 1) Pope, Donald B M93 2) Doud, Bob R M84 3) Korten, Don H M81 4) Reese, John M82 1:49.92 52.78 46.76 41.18

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:03:07 GMT

I swim most Saturdays with an 85 year old woman who has lots of energy, but since she is so old, the coaches tend to ignore her training. Last month I explained interval training to her and she was astounded! Apparently, her training technique had been just to do what others were doing, or swim long distances if she were working out alone. I also explained how to swim a race in the build up mode, and she was very impressed with that idea as well. She tends to swim all races like a drop dead sprinter otherwise. I find that a lot as well, Michael! A lot of the older swimmers are habitually doing "out of date" technique (go figure, right?!). Anyway, when I go to coach these swimmers they are either accepting of the constructive criticism, or they completely just ignore it because they have been doing their own thing for so long. To each their own, I guess!

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:03:19 GMT

While I never coached either, I did have the great pleasure of knowing and watching Gus Langer into his late 90’s and Tom Lane into his early 100’s. Both of these men are an inspiration to me! That is extremely impressive!!

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:09:52 GMT

Damn I'm slow. Alternatively, if that means I'll only lose 12 seconds over the next 40 years, then I'm okay with that! This gave me a great laugh! I'll take that, too! Faster with age, huh?! Excellent!

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

swimmieAvsFan — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:57:04 GMT

while i'm not on a team with any octa or nonagenarians, the PV LMSC has a pair of spunky 93 year old ladies who are still going strong... i marvel at them every time i see them at a meet!

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

mjtyson — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:50:09 GMT

I haven't personally swum with any octogenarians, but I remember laughing a few years ago after swimming a personal best at a meet. It was a 1:27.40 in 100 free SCM (fast for me). Then that same day I got my copy of USMS Swimmer in the mail. It had a review of nationals, in which an 81-year old swam the 100 free LCM in 1:40. Damn I'm slow. Alternatively, if that means I'll only lose 12 seconds over the next 40 years, then I'm okay with that!

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Former Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:09:07 GMT

My friend swam in the Worlds in Perth and she said there was a women there from New Zealand that was 95 swimming the 800 FR, 400 FR, and 200 FR! Holy you know what!

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Rykno — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:20:01 GMT

I've seen Nils Fern from sweden swim several events, he's 92-93.

RE: Oldest Swimmer...

Rob Copeland — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:19:45 GMT

While I never coached either, I did have the great pleasure of knowing and watching Gus Langer into his late 90’s and Tom Lane into his early 100’s. Both of these men are an inspiration to me!