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!
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!
I've seen Nils Fern from sweden swim several events, he's 92-93.
Former Member
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!
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!
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!
Former Member
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!
Former Member
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!!
Former Member
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 A lot of the older swimmers are habitually doing "out of date" technique (go figure, right?!).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!
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
