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!
Former Member
Thanks for letting us know Karlene. Amazing to swim into 104.
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. :)
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.
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 ;)
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!
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:
