Dixie Zone Newsletter

January-March 2003

Zone Representative: June Krauser

IMSHOF Induction | What Swimming Means to Me | 20th Annual Electric City

A Voice from the Past | The Six Fastest Pools

2003 Dixie Zone SCY Championships | 2004 FINA World Masters Championships


IMSHOF Induction

The International Swimming Hall of fame held the inaugural induction of the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame on Saturday, the eleventh of January, 2003 with a Welcome Reception and dinner at the ISHOF. The 2003 International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees included

*Ransom Arthur USA contributor *G. Harold 'Gus' Langner USA swimmer
Jayne Bruner USA swimmer Kelley Lemmon USA swimmer
Barbara Dunbar USA swimmer Maxine Merlino USA swimmer
*Patty Robinson Fulton USA diver Ardeth Mueller USA swimmer
Tim Garton USA swimmer Gail Roper USA swimmer
Peg Hogan USA synchro *Ray Taft USA swimmer
Graham Johnston USA swimmer Clara Lamore Walker USA swimmer
June Krauser USA swimmer

* deceased

There was a welcome reception and then a dinner and ceremony. About 125 people attended and there were seven of the above present. A nice medal was hung around the neck along with a nice plaque. Speeches were kept to a minimum and it was a lovely evening. It was nice to see Jim Miller, USMS president and his wife Nancy in the audience. Next year's list of honorees were announced as follows:

Jane Asher GBR swimmer Yoshiko Osaki JPN swimming
Aldo Da-Rosa USA swimmer Frank Piemme USA swimming
Mike Garabaldi USA water polo Laura Val USA swimming
Paul Hutinger USA swimmer Louise Wing USA synchro
Vi Hartman Cady Krahn USA diver

What Swimming Means to Me

by Albert B. Chipman, Jr.

As a youngster, growing up in a small midwestern town, to swim was a "river activity -- swinging from trees on knotted rope, drops and jumping from low bridges. Nearby lakes offered challenges for diving but a nearby YMCA natatorium was the real start; offering swimming lessons. This was the foundation of an activity to be my salvation in later life.

The Second World War, during my university years, meant meeting military obligations serving as an infantryman in Italy. A dramatic change in my life came by losing my left leg above the knee. Returning home to a family, an education and gaining employment meant an adjustment, accommodating this physical loss. This is a builder of character and determination. Only by strong support and understanding by others provided opportunities and challenges in work and social activities.

Here's the story of swimming as a therapeutic and healing process. Being an architect designer, sitting and drafting for hours needed physical involvement and the nearby YMCA with a Masters Swimming program was the answer. Beyond swimming was the fellowship and acceptance extended by these swimmers. You were welcomed and included. Even missing a limb, it was reassuring that you were accepted like everyone else. Then came a move from Chicago to Melbourne, FL for retirement (only from work, not swimming.) In fact swimming became the satisfaction of life for enjoyment, pleasure and meeting new people and friends. The Space Coast Masters program offered these opportunities in friendship, travel and building a solid base for quality, health and life beyond what I had anticipated.

Florida is unique, offering tremendous competitive swimming experiences. St. Pete, Clearwater, Orlando, Lakeland, Sarasota, home of excellent teams. My awards are in the middle of the road, excelling in back and freestyle events. Being in the 80-84 age group offers good competition which is enjoyed, working with drills five days a week readying for the next meet. Most important these past 10 years has been entering the Huntsman World Senior Games (each mid October). Held in St. George, UT, this 3-day meet allows entry to 12 events. I've negotiated the events by carefully planning; being available for pool entry and starting positions by using a folding chair. At times, another asset is the cooperation of starters, placing me in lanes easily accessible. In fact, I've developed friendships with many of these officials, treating me as just another swimmer. This is a recognition that a limb loss has no bearing on your competitive position and being a part of this process is reassuring and a productive way of life.

After thought from 1944 -- I still hear the words of a Walter Reed Army Doctor prior to my medical discharge, "You'll not be able to run the beaches of Florida but live in the cool northern climates with your artificial leg." DAAH! Sometimes what one doesn't have develops challenges to use what you do have.

Swimming has DONE JUST THAT! May you have a swimmingly good year!

20th Annual Electric City

by Steve Wycoff

The 20th Annual Electric City Masters Swim Meet, which was also designated as the Dixie Zone Short Course Meters Championship, was held on November 2-3 at the Sheppard Swim Center in Anderson, SC>

One hundred forty-eight Masters swimmers from 24 teams and 9 states swam in the meet. Parris Island won the team championship with 2,451 points and the North Carolina Masters were second with 1,067 points. Third place went to Team Greenville Masters followed by the Georgia Masters, Hilton Head Aquatic Club, Palmetto Masters, and the host Anderson Masters.

Wade King, swimming unattached from Columbia, SC established a new World and American record in the 50m butterfly with a time of 25.32 for his 35-39 age group. Robert Poiletman of the Columbia Masters lowered his own "official" 100m butterfly American record with a time of 1:06.18 in the 55-59 age group. Congratulations to Wade and Robert on their great swims. Many South Carolina and Dixie Zone records as well as Dixie Zone and National Top Ten times were also established.

The Anderson Masters social on Saturday night featured good food and a drawing for prizes handed out by our Master of Ceremonies Garry Van Romer and Cheryl McCullough, who played the role of a Harley Davidson styled "Vanna" this year. The "Elvis" award was presented to Hugh Wilder of the Palmetto Masters for his support of and dedication to Masters Swimming and his great swimming in 2002, which included three individual backstroke championships and two world records at the Long Course National Championships in Cleveland. Hugh received the colorful bust of Elvis along with an "Elvis Swims" t-shirt. Hopefully, everyone had a great weekend in Anderson.

A Voice from the Past

News article donated by Bob Beach

"Judge in the Swim -- for 1,112 Miles" by Fred Thomas
St. Petersburg Times, Saturday, July 15, 1972

Right now, Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Beach is eigh miles east of Houston and still swimming. It'll take him a week to reach the city. That's a curious thing, for he hasn't even left St. Petersburg.

Confusing?

Not to Beach, 41, who was awarded a 1,000 mile swimming certificate Friday by the St. Petersburg Chapter of the American Red Cross at North Shore Pool. Since September 16, 1968, Beach has swum 1,112 miles in the pool.

Beach calculates that he's eight miles from Houston in his swimming program. He's not going to stop until he reaches his hometown, Santa Monica, CA. The distance from St. Petersburg to Houston is 1,120 miles and 2,614 miles to Santa Monica. When he reaches the last mile of the trip, he'll fly to Santa Monica and swim it there.

To swim 1,112 miles, Beach has made 77,840 laps in the North Shore Pool (one mile takes 70 laps).

"I keep detailed records on my swimming," said Beach. "It's all a lot of fun and keeps me going. I love to swim. I was't really that good when I was a kid, but I thoroughly enjoy it because it keeps me in such good shape. I swim at least a mile a day" -- often on his lunch hour -- "and I feel great, absolutely great!"

Beach started swimming four years ago when he got involved in the Swim and Stay Fit program sponsored by the Red Cross. "The idea was to swim 50 miles in six months," he said. "After I hit 50, which only took three moths, I said to myself, 'Well, what now? Where do I go from here?'"

Farther, of course.

Now, twenty 50-mile cards later, Beach is approaching the halfway mark of his planned eight-year trip.

There's a national swimming program -- the Masters -- which is a competitive outlet for the swimmers over age 25 and it's this program that keeps Beach such a water devotee. Beach was thrilled with the idea of competing with older swimmers and soon found himself vice chairman of the National Masters. He organized a local meet that has been held for the past two years at North Shore, Beach's stomping, er ... swimming territory.

"It's absolutely tremendous that there's a program for the older people," he said. "They can stay n good health and be competitive at the same time."

After arriving at Santa Monica, the judge has no concrete plans, but hinted that he might swim back.

"Why not?"

Editor's note: Bob Beach, 30 years later, is still swimming for St. Pete Masters -- still doing the long swims and has won many races since he first started.

The Six Fastest Pools

Sports llustrated -- October 2002

1. IUPUI -- Ten world and 88 US records and hosted 16 NCAA championships and 4 US Olympic swim trials.

2. TEXAS -- can't argue with the Longhorns' 18 national titles

3. AUBURN -- excellent guttr system that absobs waves.

4. TEXAS A&M -- site of 2001 men's NCAAs, at which 9 US records fell.

5. STANFORD -- Avry Aquatic Center boasts three 50-meter poos, including the country's fastest outdoor one.

6. CLEVELAND STATE -- Fastest older pool.

2003 Dixie Zone Short Course Yards Championships

April 26-27, Chatham County Aquatic Center, Savannah GA (site of the 2004 USMS Long Course Nationals). For meet information and entry form, visit the Dixie Zone Meets page.

Riccione, Italy -- 2004 -- FINA World Masters Swim Championships

Dates, subject to change -- June 3-13, 2004

Riccione tourist bureau -- Comune di Rjiccione, Assessorate alTurisomo, Palazzo del Turismo, P.le Ceccarini 11, 47838 RICCIONE, ITALY, tel. 0541/693302-6083332, e-mail iat.riccione@iper.net

I e-mailed them and received a very nice tourist packet with lots of attractions, location of pool, and list of lodging accommodations, etc. It "appears" to be a great vacation area without the tourist hype of Rome, Pisa, Florence, etc. Riccione is on the Adriatic Sea about 200 kilometers south of Venice.

Italian Gov't Tourist Board (New York, USA) -- 212-245-5618, www.enit.it

Pool Website -- www.polcomriccione.com (click on left side of screen: Chi Siamo & Nuoto Agonistico for photo and description. Hope you can read Italian.

Pool e-mail -- info@polcomriccione.com

Other websites -- www.donimo.com/italy_travel.com.html, www.amalifinet.it/tourist bureau.com, www.itwg.com/ct_00096.asp

The above can get us started. This is what I found after about half an hour of surfing the web. If you find something interesting, please let me know. I do not assume any responsibility for the authenticity of the above sites and numbers. Hope it helps.

Bill King, phone & fax 970-453-4218