Making a Splash: U.S. Masters Swimming Thrives in Sarasota

By Carol Brzozowski | July/August 2021

Although the Fountain of Youth is a myth linked to Ponce de Leon’s search for a secret aquatic source of restored youth when he traveled to Florida, research does show that swimming improves one’s physical, mental, and social well-being. And here in Sarasota, many enjoy this rejuvenating activity.

On any given day at Arlington Park and the Selby Aquatic Center, adults of all ages gather on the pool decks to swim. They range from swimmers learning the sport for the first time to those engaged in friendly competitions. 

The two sites are host pools for U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS), a national nonprofit that promotes the sport of swimming as a healthy fitness option for all adults and is headquartered in Sarasota. 

Both clubs have a USMS-certified coach and a USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim instructor who teach hundreds of adults each year the life-saving skill of swimming.  

“When people hear the word ‘Masters,’ they might think it’s just for experienced or fast swimmers or swimmers who are at least 50 or 65 years old,” notes Dawson Hughes, USMS CEO. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. Our organization is for everyone who is at least 18 years old, regardless of their abilities or background in the sport.”

For those who want to try their hand at competing, the organization has 13 national championship events each year that attract a wide range of swimmers—from those who are competing in their very first meet to expert Olympians. 

“There’s something for all types of swimmers, whether they want to compete or swim for fitness or whether they’re pool swimmers, open water swimmers, or triathletes,” says Hughes. “I might be a little biased, but I believe swimming might be the greatest form of exercise for any adult.”

Hughes says that he has had an opportunity to experience all of swimming’s health benefits as he has swum his entire life. 

“Swimming lowers your blood pressure, aids in weight loss and weight maintenance, benefits your immune system and is easier on your joints than land-based sports,” he adds. “It also reduces stress, improves self-esteem, reduces depression and anxiety, and improves problem-solving skills and memory. It’s a fun sport that’s the third-most popular exercise in the U.S.”

Hughes says those who get connected with a Masters’ program will also experience the social benefits as swimmers interact with each other on the pool deck, encourage each other in both swimming and other life matters, and often socialize outside of the pool facility.

Slowing down the aging process is the most important benefit of swimming, Hughes points out.

“An older swimmer’s biological age can be as much as 20 years younger than his or her chronological age because of his or her background in the sport,” he adds. “It truly is the fountain of youth.”

The Sarasota Connection

The organization launched in May 1970, but USMS never had a formal office until its former executive director, Rob Butcher, began looking for one in 2008. 

Laura Hamel, then a swimmer and coach in Sarasota who eventually became a USMS staff member, thought it would be a great idea for USMS to be located in Sarasota and wrote up a proposal. USMS received about a dozen proposals from cities throughout the country and ultimately picked Sarasota in February 2009, setting up shop here later that year. 

“Considering Sarasota’s and Florida’s love for swimming, as well as the hundreds of other nonprofits that have found a home here, we couldn’t have picked a better spot,” Hughes points out.

Sarasota Tsunami Masters, which meets at Arlington Park, 2650 Waldemere Street, is regarded as the top swim team on the Gulf Coast, with the fastest-growing and improving program in the state. 

Ira Klein has been their head coach in Sarasota County for more than a dozen years. With over 40 years of national and international experience, he has coached seven Olympic athletes, more than two dozen national age group record holders, more than 40 senior- junior and YMCA individual national champions, and hundreds of top 10 nationally-ranked swimmers. 

He has served as vice president of USA Swimming as well as president of the American Swim Coaches Association. In 2016, Klein was elected to the General Chair position to lead Florida Swimming. 

Sarasota Sharks Masters meets at the Selby Aquatic Center, 8501 Potter Park Drive. The program provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics, and workshops for adults aged 18 and over, and has more than 350 members. 

Sarasota Sharks welcomes all adult swimmers regardless of their goals: fitness, triathlete training, competitive, noncompetitive, and open water. The goal of the group is to help swimmers improve fitness, train for specific goals, and providing active support for a healthy lifestyle through friendship and camaraderie.

Started in 2006 by Coach Rick Walker, many of its swimmers have ranked Top 10 in the country in their age groups and some are All Americans (ranked #1 in the country). The club has won many Y National Championships and placed in the top 10 clubs in the U.S. at USMS National Championships. 

Hughes invites all adults – irrespective of their swimming background – to try a Masters’ workout during the organization’s Try Masters Swimming campaign in July. 

“You have an opportunity to swim in a workout for free and learn why tens of thousands of adults around the country are swimming with USMS,” he adds. 

More information on Try Masters Swimming can be found at usms.org/try.