Thought it would be neat to share our stories about the best athlete we ever swam with. Note that it is not necessarily the fastest or best swimmer we have trained with.
The best athlete I ever trained with was a young man that showed up for my masters swim group. He was training to pass the test to be a Navy SEAL officer. Having graduated from a non-Naval Academy college, the standards for making the officers cut were tough. He was, however, a good prospect.
With no prior competitive swim background, he was able to get his 500 yard sidestroke down to a 7:30 in a matter of a few months. However, this was not the main thing that impressed me. It was the times/scores on his practice tests which I helped time him on.
Here is what he could do:
500 yard sidestroke swim: 7:30
8 minute rest
2 minutes of push-ups: # done was 112
2 minute rest
2 minutes of sit-ups: # done was 110
2 minute rest
max number of pull-ups (palms facing away from body): 25
8 minute rest
1.5 mile run done in combat boots and long pants: 9:05.
The guy was a machine. Speed, strength, endurance, and power. Doing 25 pull-ups shortly after a hard swim, pushups, and sit-ups was impressive! The young man decided not to pursue a career in the Navy but chose to stay near family. Last I heard he had started his own business and was doing well.
Parents
Former Member
Alomost 40 years ago I taught a swimming instructors class for PE majors. At the end of each class session it was not uncommon for some of the students to do take a few tries off the diving boards. But one guy, Arnie, avoided that since he literally couldn't swim 5 feet to save his life . One day, he decides to have a little fun and announces he's going off the one meter board, but not to worry because he's going to jump all the way to the shallow end! This would take a stupendous leap since from the end of the board to safety was well over 30'! I didn't want to discourage him but felt it prudent to wake up the lifeguard. Well Arnie let fly and it was amazing to watch --- he made it with room to spare, accompanied by the thunderous cheers of all who witnessed.
Arnie Robinson never did get very good at swimming, but went on to win two Olympic medals in the long jump, Bronze in '72 and Gold in '76.
Alomost 40 years ago I taught a swimming instructors class for PE majors. At the end of each class session it was not uncommon for some of the students to do take a few tries off the diving boards. But one guy, Arnie, avoided that since he literally couldn't swim 5 feet to save his life . One day, he decides to have a little fun and announces he's going off the one meter board, but not to worry because he's going to jump all the way to the shallow end! This would take a stupendous leap since from the end of the board to safety was well over 30'! I didn't want to discourage him but felt it prudent to wake up the lifeguard. Well Arnie let fly and it was amazing to watch --- he made it with room to spare, accompanied by the thunderous cheers of all who witnessed.
Arnie Robinson never did get very good at swimming, but went on to win two Olympic medals in the long jump, Bronze in '72 and Gold in '76.