Joel Feldmann

Member 1990 - Present

USMS Profile

  • USMS All American Honors – 3 years, 6 Individual

  • USMS Top Ten Achievements – 213 Individual

  • NE LMSC Individual Records – 10 Current, 94 Lifetime

I started swimming on the Epping Forest Swim team near Annapolis, MD. Mom drove us in the motorboat, and we practiced as directed between the dock and the raft, occasionally getting stung by jellyfish. I wanted to quit but my Mom emphatically said, “No”. She said that I must practice for two weeks and swim in one meet. I remember winning the 25-yard free. I am still swimming. 

Most of my growing up involved swimming in Wilmington, DE, with summer leagues, YWCA, YMCA, and AAU with Wilmington Aquatic Club. Then onto college at West Chester State (PA) and University of Colorado, receiving All-American awards all four years. After college, there were many years without swimming when I worked, married and raised two boys. But, when we moved to NH and I saw the 1992 USMS SCY Nationals would be at UNC, I started training regularly, with a friend. 

At the UNC meet, I approached the NEM group, easily identified with appropriate t-shirts and asked, “How do I get on a relay?” I was informed that the relays were already determined. Then, I won the 50 Free (40-44). Almost immediately, I was offered a spot on the 200 Medley with Sue Tendy, Gayle Wettach and Ann McDermott and the 200 Free with Gayle, Sue and Jenny Luker (both relays winning National Championships at the meet and All American that year). That was my introduction to many joyful years of competition and comradery both at local meets and traveling to Nationals. The many NEM Spring Harvard Meets have been particularly memorable giving me a chance to socialize and reconnect each year. 

I have noticed that I am getting slower as I age and health challenges have popped up, but swimming has been a constant part of my life. I am so honored by NEM and the NELMSC which has survived because of thousands of volunteer hours and good intentions. Thank you for this honor. I am hoping to swim and compete as long as I am able. Swimming provides challenge and feeds my heart and soul.