Generations on the Blocks: The Magic of the College Club & Masters Meet

By Andy Strehle, Wild Crab Masters & 2025 NELMSC Coach of the Year

The 2025 New England College Club & Masters Swimming Meet filled the pool deck and stadium seating at Boston University on November 8th with 520 swimmers. A “Swimming Through The Decades” theme opened the door for 1980’s varsity letter jackets and 1970’s-style USA flag suits, and inspired a playlist mixing today’s chart-topping hits with yesterday’s classics. The wide musical range reflected the competition in the pool, with over 500 swimmers from college club and Masters teams.

And that’s where I found myself midway through the meet, approaching the blocks for the 200 butterfly. The men and women in Heat 1 were a diverse bunch - three college swimmers lined up with five Masters - one each in our 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.

The 200 fly is a challenge that commands attention - but wait! Before the racing started, the meet announcers called a break in the action for - what’s this - a sing-a-long! And, as the opening bars of piano to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” blasted over the speakers, the other swimmers and I waiting at the block knew we’d need to wait just a bit longer for our race. And maybe a chance test out our swiveling hips and healthy lungs in a different way . . .

“Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world, she took the midnight train going anywhere…”

If anyone arrived lonely, it was hard to stay that way for long. This is the third edition of the College Club v. Masters format, pioneered right here in New England, and the biggest yet.

As for me, I was thrilled to meet Jack and Erik, two new members of our Wild Crabs team. My teammate Mel was wearing an Amherst hat, and it was fun to see how many other swimmers walked up to her to say hello and meet a new friend. Something about these meets always makes these introductions easier than they can be away from the pool.

“Workin' hard to get my fill; everybody wants a thrill. Payin' anything to roll the dice - just one more time.”

For Masters swimmers, a decades-long swimming career inevitably leaves us yearning to meet a finishing-time threshold “just one more time.” Recognizing our human limits, we know that over time we’ll go slower, while hoping that this outcome arrives more slowly. My teammate Jeff exemplified that - he missed the wall during his 50 freestyle turn, but was so quickly able to go back to the wall that he still finished under 24 seconds.

While many Masters swimmers are racing our old times from high school and college, it is truly special to have actual college swimmers in the next lane over, bringing our virtual races into stark reality.

“Some'll win, some will lose; some are born to sing the blues.”

Among the winners at the meet were those who set new NELMSC records in the short course yards format, led by the Otters Swim Club’s Brittany Butcher, who made it a clean sweep in the backstroke events for the 40-44 age group: 50 back (27.20), 100 back (57.73), and 200 back (2:06.64). Kyle Falkstrom with BU Masters put up two in the 50 breast (25.39) and 100 breast (55.77) in the 18-24 age group, and a few age groups away Katy Slifer answered with a pair in the 80-84 bracket: 200 IM (3:30.58) and 100 breast (1:47.27); she swims with YMCA of the North Shore. Kingsbury Club’s Peter Doyle posted a record 25.82 in the 50 free (65-69) and Granite State Penguins Juliana McDonald was rowdy in her 50 free race (23.29) (25-29). I got to witness a record-setting swim two lanes away from Sue Jensen, who was in my heat of the 200 butterfly, as she wove her way to a 2:55.08 record (65-69). I’d like to think my pacing helped push her to such success, but the Don’t Stop Believin’ sing-a-long before the race was probably what really spurred her on.

“Strangers waitin’ up and down the boulevard, their shadows searchin’ in the night. Streetlights, people livin’ just to find to emotion, hidin’ somewhere in the night.”

The spirit of these meets is palpable during the sprints and relays. The pool deck, crowded with swimmers of all ages, is hard to navigate, but we make way for someone racing to make their start on time. My teammate Steve enjoyed the crowd - it’s been 62 years since he was last on a pool deck for a swim meet. (That’s one heck of a taper!) He was right back in his element - and generously brought bagels with honey for the whole team.

The combination of celebratory music and heats packed from one end to the other led to an amusing scene during the 7-heat 50 backstroke. Taylor Swift has demonstrated a talent for bridging cultures and generations and so it was fitting that “The Fate of Ophelia” was a fan favorite at BU. The song leads with the lyric “I heard you calling on the megaphone”, which was ironic, because the music had to be quieted several times so that the announcer could go through the starting drill for each fast-pace heat. Then Tay-Tay came back on for another 35-40 seconds - just enough to get us back into the rhythm - before stopping for the next heat. Kudos to my teammate Marion and the rest of the backstrokers for entertaining us through this spectacle.

“Don't stop believin'; hold on to that feelin'. Streetlights, people; don't stop believin'!”

By the end of the meet, the Masters swimmers had another chance to believe they were young(er) again, and the college swimmers got a window into the future - they can plan for another 20, 40, or even 60 (or more) years at meets like this.

Awards were presented at the end of the meet, for total points and “total spirit.” South County YMCA and UMass won the large team divisions, Kingsbury Club and UMaine for medium, Worcester Area Masters and University of Maine for small, and Weymouth Waves for squad-size teams. UConn and the Wild Crabs won the Team Spirit Awards. I’m looking forward to returning to the fourth annual meet next year!

Andrew “Andy” Strehle leads the Wild Crab Masters with heart, driving team growth, national records, and a signature spirit of camaraderie—fueled in part by his legendary post-race recaps and strategic relay wizardry. Outside the pool, Andy is a partner at Brown Rudnick practicing commercial finance and restructuring law.

A Sea of Inspiration: Beyond The Breakers 2025 Draws Olympians, Experts, and Enthusiasts from Around the Globe

By Craig Lewin, Endurance Swimming

Photo credits: Helen Cogan

The second annual Beyond The Breakers summit made waves on Saturday November 8th at Bentley University, drawing a capacity crowd of swimmers, coaches, and legends from across the U.S. and worldwide.

Created and hosted by USMS Certified Coach Craig Lewin of Endurance Swimming, the event delivered a full day of high-impact learning and inspiration, highlighted by four-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg, who shared insights into his swim journey and how it led him to the open water.

The speaker lineup also featured many of the sport’s most respected voices, including expert swim technician Glenn Mills, elite strength coach Dan Daly, marine biologist Dr. Greg Skomal, psychologist Dr. Laurie Craigen and WOWSA Executive Director Quinn Fitzgerald. Attendees also gained valuable technical and coaching expertise from Bob Fernald, Charlotte Brynn, Adina O'Neill and Elaine Howley, whose contributions grounded the event in the deep knowledge of local leaders shaping the sport every day.

Marathon swimming icon Sarah Thomas delivered an emotional highlight of the day, while acclaimed author Glenn Stout closed the event with powerful storytelling about Trudy Ederle's historic English Channel Swim!

Beyond The Breakers once again gathered Olympians, scientists, coaches, and community leaders—fostering a welcoming, engaging atmosphere that’s steadily becoming a go-to summit for the open water community.

Participant Testimonials:

"Beyond the Breakers 2025 was an amazing event that captivated the attention of not only beginner open-water swimmers but seasoned athletes as well. Their guest speakers from around the world provided an in-depth understanding and knowledge of their respective fields. I truly enjoyed every aspect of this event. Going to Beyond the Breakers is a must for all open-water swimmers.”

-Pat Gallant-Charette

  International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Honor Swimmer

"What made the conference special was the one hundred attendees who shared their passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to an open water swimming community that understands and enjoys the power of the ocean."

-Jeff Barile

"As someone relatively new to Marathon/Long-Distance OW swims, this was the perfect day to hear stories, learn more about this world, and meet a lot of great people. The presentations and conversations were insightful and memorable."

-Bernie D

Planning is already underway for Beyond The Breakers 2026 on November 14th, promising another unforgettable day dedicated to the sport we love.

Craig Lewin is the founder of Endurance Swimming and creator/host of the Beyond The Breakers summit, dedicated to empowering open-water athletes at every level. With extensive experience coaching triathletes and marathon swimmers—across online platforms and ocean group sessions—he blends technique, strategy, and inspiration to lead swimmers to breakthrough performances.

USMS New England Open Water Series

2024 was the inaugural year for the USMS New England Open Water Series. The series was sponsored by SwimOutlet.com, the leading one-stop-shop for swimwear and swim gear. The participating events were Boston’s Charles River Swim on June 15th; the MBCC Against The Tide swims on June 8th in Brewster, MA and on June 15th, in Hopkinton, MA; Swim With a Mission on July 13th, at Newfound Lake in Bristol, NH; and the Glen Lake Swim on August 18th, in Goffstown, NH.

The series was only open to full-time USMS members. One Event (OEVT) swimmers at the events were not eligible. In all, 197 USMS members swam in one or more of these events, with 38 swimmers participating in multiple USMS-sanctioned events. USMS Open Water Series caps, provided by SwimOutlet.com went to the swimmers that participated in the most events and were given out at the Glen Lake Swim, the last event in the series.

An announcement will be coming soon for the 2025 USMS NE Open Water Series. If you have any ideas or suggestions in this regard, please contact the NELMSC open water sanctions coordinator at NEopenwater@usmastersswimming.org

New England Open Water Series Debuts Summer 2024

Charles River Swim, Boston, MA

New England Local Masters Swim Committee has announced a new open water swim series for 2024. The series is comprised of five established U.S. Masters Swimming-sanctioned open water swim events that will take place in the region. The events are The Charles River Swim in Boston on June 15th, the MBCC Against The Tide swims on June 8th in Brewster, MA and on June 15th in Hopkinton, MA, Swim With a Mission on July 13th, in Bristol, NH, and The Glen Lake Swim on August 18th, in Goffstown, NH. All of these events are non-profit and raise funds for a variety of very worthy causes.

Swim with a Mission, Bristol, NH

Participants that swim in four of the five USMS-sanctioned New England open water swims will earn a commemorative cap and other items provided by SwimOutlet.com, the leading online swim product merchant. To qualify for the award, a swimmer must be a full-time member of USMS. Most of these events require either full time membership or participants must pay a $20 one-event fee for each swim. Becoming a full-time member is less expensive than the per-event option.

One of the MBCC events is on the same date as the Charles River Swim, however MBCC offers a virtual option. To qualify for the award, a swimmer only needs to participate in four of the five events. If for some reason one of the events is cancelled, then the series wil be three out of four. You do not need to sign up for the series separately. If you are a USMS member you are automatically enrolled when you sign up for an individual event.

U.S. Masters Swimming is a national nonprofit that provides membership benefits to nearly 60,000 Masters swimmers across the country. USMS encourages adults to enjoy the health, fitness, and social benefits of swimming by providing more than 2,000 adult swimming programs and events across the country, including open water and pool competitions. To join or find out more, please visit: https://www.usms.org/join-usms/join-or-renew

For more information on the series please visit:

https://www.nelmsc.org/open-water-series

Glen Lake Swim, Goffstown, NH

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition Swim, Hopkinton & Brewster, MA

Behind the Scenes at Leaf Peepers Masters Meet: Chef Susan Reid

Susan Reid: “Chef, writer, swimmer, imperfect influencer.”

Anyone who has attended Leaf Peepers Masters Meet held every October at the Upper Valley Aquatic Facility (UVAC) knows that there are sweet rewards involved. Cakes, caramel corn, cookies, brownies, and whoopee pies await swimmers after their races, with first choice often going to the brave 200 butterflyers. Susan Reid, chef and swimmer, is the person responsible for the amazing prizes.

Culinary arts was not Susan’s first career. She spent 10 years as a copy writer honing her wordsmithing. She transitioned into the kitchen in the 90s, working at the Bedford Village Inn. In 2002, her writing skills got her through the door at the King Arthur Baking Company. Susan emailed King Arthur to inquire whether they had any use for “a chef that can write.” They did, and she was hired to test recipes for their Baker’s Companion Cookbook. As the company grew, she transitioned to writing King Arthur’s newsletter where she created new recipes for content and oversaw the publications growth and expansion into color print and then digital realm.

In addition to her love of cooking and baking, Susan has always been swimmer. Growing up in New Jersey, her father suggested she become a lifeguard. Although Susan was concerned that she “wasn’t cool enough” to be a lifeguard, she took the plunge. “That made me cool!” she says. Susan came back to the pool after an ankle injury about 10 years ago. She did not set out to join a Masters swim team, but while she was at the pool a swimmer, now her best friend, invited her to join the UV Rays. Now, Susan swims 3 to 4 days a week. Following two shoulder surgeries, she has had to pull back at times on yardage. “The water is too important to me” Susan says so she adapts her training such as IM sets to reduce repetitive motion, kick sets and one arm butterfly. Susan doesn’t often race nowadays, finding her place cheering and supporting other swimmers.

Baking and swimming collided for Susan with the Leaf Peepers Masters Meet. Years ago, Mary Gentry, the meet director for Leaf Peepers, requested the team make a few pies to award to 400 IMers. A few pie prizes have grown into a cornucopia of sweets. Susan bakes throughout the month of October to be ready for Leaf Peepers. How much time does it take to make all the treats? “I don’t know, I try not to add that up.” Susan pulls together various resources for her baking extravaganza. UV Ray’s coach, Barbara Hummel, often contributes a wheel-barrels full of apples from her orchard. Susan also takes inventory of her own stores, using up odds and ends such as extra cake layers or packaging for pancake mixes.  

Susan retired from King Arthur Baking Company in 2022, but she hasn’t slowed down. She is working on several cookbooks, obtaining her catering license, baking wedding cakes, gardening, and running her successful Instagram account @chefsusaninvt and website The Well Plated Life. Susan has amassed 17,000 followers on Instagram where she posts recipes like apple turnovers Gruyère Crusty Loaves and answers baking questions for followers.

The 14th Annual UVAC Leaf Peepers Masters Meet is Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 9:30 am in White River Junction, VT. Deck entries are accepted through 9:45 am on the day of the meet. Don’t miss out on Susan’s amazing baked good prizes!

By Kysa Crusco, Communications Coordinator NELMSC

There’s Still No Crying in Butterfly: A Newbie’s Take On World Aquatics Masters Championships

By Olivia Jaras

FUKUOKA, JAPAN — Stepping onto the grand stage of World Aquatics Masters Championships in Kyushu, Japan, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. As a fairly new swimmer who had only been swimming masters for less than a year, and has only been *attempting* to swim butterfly for less than half of that time, it’s fair to say I felt slightly intimidated at Kyushu.

New England Masters on relay day at World Aquatics Masters Championships in August 2023

While I was humbled by the number of amazing swimmers from all over the world who had gathered for this prestigious event, the atmosphere at the championship was electric. Swimmers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels came together, united by their love for their sport. Olympians, world champions, moms, aunts, granddads, and people from all walks of life were there to perform at their best. It was a competitive atmosphere that simultaneously felt like a 10-day celebration of swimming and swimmers world-wide.

As to be expected, the competition was fierce, yet everybody was there to face, and hopefully exceed, their own personal swim ambitions. I found myself continuously awestruck by the grace and power displayed in the pool.

Kysa Crusco, Rainy Goodale and Olivia Jaras with some underwater fun in the warm up pool

Witnessing the sheer dedication and talent of these seasoned swimmers was my daily source of inspiration… which came in handy as I faced my biggest challenge yet: To swim the 100 fly in a 50-meter pool, without any tears, and without needing to be scraped from the bottom of the pool after the event.

Though I seriously considered scratching the event, I’m quite proud to report I finished the 100 fly, and did not need a rescue crew to remove me from the pool. My time might have been too slow to officially have been recorded, but I have witnesses to prove I finished.

Making friends as World Championships

Admittedly, I couldn’t hold back the tears before the start of the race. Staring down the lane behind the starting blocks, it felt like a daunting swim ahead. I questioned my sanity (and the sanity of everyone around me for voluntarily signing up for this), and why on earth I thought it reasonable to sign up for this event being such a newbie. With one heat to go, I had to clear the tears that had rendered my waterproof goggles useless. And as I cleared them, I looked to over to the stands, and all my New England teammates, my loved ones and my new friends were there cheering me on. 

Beyond the intense competition, what truly made this experience unforgettable, and what I found most invaluable was the sense of belonging I found within the masters swimming community. I may not be anywhere near being the best in the world at any event, but I discovered that in this supportive and inclusive environment, I have a community of people who shared a common purpose and understood the joys and challenges of swimming. The bonds forged during those days in Kyushu extended far beyond the championship itself. I realized that I have found my community, a group of like-minded individuals who will continue to inspire and support me all the way through training… until Singapore in 2025!

While the excitement of Worlds quickly dwindled after settling back into everyday life, I carry with me cherished memories, new friendships, and a deep appreciation for the power of swimming to bring people together. The Masters Swimming World Championship in Kyushu will forever hold a special place in my heart, a testament to the transformative power of sport and the enduring bonds of the masters swimming community.

Olivia Jaras swims for the UVRays and New England Masters. She lives in New Hampshire.

New England Strong!

On My Calendar in Ink: New England Summer Swims

By Jocelyn Nokes

Every spring I can hardly wait for the lakes in New England to warm up enough to start open water swimming (OWS), and I look forward to planning my summer OWS events calendar.  There are three events I always make sure to mark in ink. I look forward to these events every year for very different reasons.

Swim with a Mission Honor the Fallen Memorial Swim Relay in July 2023

Swim With A Mission (SWAM), held annually in July at beautiful Newfound Lake, NH, offers several different events including 1k, 5k, and 10k individual competitive swims, a 10K competitive relay and a non-competitive 5k “Honor the Fallen” Memorial Swim Relay pulling the Fallen Soldier Battlefield Memorial kayak.  There are other non-swim fundraising events such as paintball.  Funds raised support Veteran Service Organizations. Navy SEALS and their Military Working Dogs line up to give high-fives as you enter and exit the water, Gold Star Families are in attendance to cheer you on, and special guest speakers get the event underway and are a part of the post swim ceremony. If that doesn’t get your patriotic juices flowing, then seeing the Fallen Soldier Battlefield Memorial kayak with name pennants of the fallen fluttering in the breeze will. I have raced this event before, but for the past 2 years I have been part of the “Honor the Fallen” Memorial Relay. As a veteran myself, and with the names of my fallen family members and friends on some of those pennants, this event holds a special place in my heart. The Memorial Relay team members enjoy working together to support swimmers of differing abilities during their turn pulling. Each puller is accompanied by a safety kayak and at least one other swimmer while the others rest and ride on an escort boat.  However, often several of the teammates jump back in the water in a team effort to escort the puller, we enjoy the camaraderie and support involved. I’m pretty sure it’s my imagination but I think I can hear the crowd chanting “USA! USA! USA!” Can you hear it?

Overall female wetsuit 1 mile podium: 1) Jocelyn Nokes; 2) Kelley Ohara; 3) Lindsay Macmahon

Glen Lake Swim, Goffstown, NH is held in August each year and hosts both 1 and 2 mile races. The proceeds from this event help support the Granite State Health and Fitness Foundation supporting local recreational opportunities and aquatic safety. Past proceeds helped with the installation of granite stairs leading into the lake that all participants use. This not only makes the entry/exit point safer, they also help preserve the shoreline. I enjoy the hometown feel and also the creativity that goes into this event each year keeps me coming back! I have raced this event every year since inception and every year there is a different theme, and the directors go all out: “The Search for Glennie,” “Glennie Rises,” “Glennie Strikes Back,” “The Beast from Loch Glennie,” and this year’s “Viva Las Glennie,” was complete with an Elvis impersonator entertaining us with the original Viva Las Glennie song and finisher medals of Viva Las Glennie records on Hawaiian Leis. Even the podium awards creatively reflect each year’s theme, Vegas style dice and framed records were on tap this year! Traditionally, once the theme is announced, videos are created with town leaders and others who are closely associated with the theme posted to the website and social media.  This boosts the anticipation and lead up to the event over several months. On the day of the event local talent leads the National Anthem, leaders from the Abenaki Tribe bless the water, and members of a local dance studio take us through a short on-shore warmup.  Then we are off to the races with the two milers heading out on their two-loop course followed by the one milers.  Historically there has been a sighting of Glennie the lake monster during every race! Don’t worry, she’s friendly!  After the swim there is a Mini-Glennie Expo and awards ceremony. This is a great time to catch up with swim friends and their families and try your luck in winning swim related prizes! Later in the year a movie re-cap of the event is shown at a local theater which ends with the announcement of next year’s theme. It’s so much fun, I can hardly wait, can you?

Jocelyn Nokes completing the Wild Bill Challenge

The Wild Bill Swim Challenge, South Pond, MA is also held in August.  2023 was the event’s second year running and it didn’t disappoint! Who is Wild Bill you ask? That would be the event organizer’s late father, Wild Bill Yorzyk, Olympic gold medalist, 200 fly world record holder and Massachusetts native who didn’t learn to swim until he was 16.  Proceeds from the event benefit the Wild Bill Swim mission: helping children learn to swim and water safety.  Why is this called a challenge? Because it is not actually a race, but a challenge for swimmers of various abilities to give their best effort in whichever distance they choose between 1, 2, 3 miles or 400 yards. The swimmers are well supported throughout their swim and each participant’s name is announced as they finish their individual challenge, arrive back on shore, and receive their participant’s medal.  The Yorzyk family and event volunteers make you feel like you’re a part of their family. It is the family feel of this event that keeps me coming back. Some nice event swag and a raffle fundraiser add to the fun too.  So, are you ready for this challenge?

As the 2023 OWS begins to wrap up, I am on the lookout for more 2024 events. There are many events I’d like to participate in, but these three favorites will be on my calendar in ink!

Memorial for the Fallen at Swim with a Mission in July 2023, Newfound Lake, Bristol, NH

SwimRI Takes on USMS Long Course Nationals

By Sarah Sutton

SwimRI contingent of NEM at USMS Summer Nationals

Sarasota, FL - The first week of August, I hopped a flight to Sarasota, Florida with several of my SwimRI training partners and joined the rest of our NEM team for a reverse snowbird trip to USMS Long Course Nationals.

“Why would you go to Florida in August?” our friends, family, and co-workers, who don’t understand what could possibly drive a person to swim thousands of yards each week, let alone go to swim meets for grownups, asked us.

I won’t lie – I asked myself the same question when we stepped off the plane into a heavy blanket of wet air and the scorching Florida sun.

This meet was going to be an adjustment for us New Englanders – who are used to swimming backstroke under a pool with a roof; who can barely handle a few weeks of humidity in the summer; and who had only managed about 10 days of training in a long course pool before this meet. To make matters worse, the meet started at 7 a.m. most days (with warmups at 6!), a problem for our group as Chuck Barnes is allergic to swimming before noon.

But the water at the Selby Aquatic Center in Sarasota was mercifully cool, and the timers were brave enough to withstand the heat and dump buckets of cold water onto the blocks before each race so we wouldn’t burn our feet.

All in all, it was a strong week of racing for both SwimRI and our NEM teammates. Our little group left the meet with multiple New England and national records, a world record for Chuck in the 100 backstroke, and 10 first place finishes. I lost count of the New England records set by the NEM relay teams. And as a group, the 24 swimmers from New England Masters finished second overall in the regional club category.

I learned several lessons from my first long course meet since high school:

• The pace you “think” you can keep in the mile in a long course pool is much faster than the pace you will actually be able to keep.

• It’s possible to completely die in the last ten meters of a 50-meter sprint.

• It’s not a great idea to use your flip turns to catch your breath, as it will only slow you down and won’t make you any less tired. (My counter in the mile, Tara Mack, told me she thought I was going to stop and say hi every time I approached the wall).

• The pool feels longer than 50 meters when you’re swimming backstroke and can’t see how far away the wall is.

• When lightning flashes in the middle of a relay, 9 out of 10 masters swimmers will leap from the blocks and finish the race, so they won’t have to swim it again.

• Chuck Barnes may look superhuman when he swims… but if you wake him up before 10 a.m., he struggles to even get in the pool to warm up. Coffee doesn’t help.

• Don’t let Stuart Cromarty show you and your teammates’ races on replay… he’ll freeze frame all your mistakes and you’ll hear about them for months to come!

• Cheering for your teammates becomes even more fun after you sneak out of the meet for a few beers.

• Did I already say that the mile in a long course pool is ridiculously hard?

Chuck Barnes, Sarah Sutton and Stuart Cromarty enjoying the beach life.

The best part of the trip may well have been the last day, when, exhausted from 5 days of racing, we split our time between the tiki bar and diving for sand dollars at one of the most beautiful (and warmest) beaches I’ve ever visited.

For those of you who have never been to a USMS Nationals meet, it’s always well worth the trip – to race with your teammates, to be a part of awesome NEM relays, to visit new places, and to meet other swimmers from all over the country. Hope to see more of you at the next one!

Sarah Sutton swims for workout group SwimRI and club team New England Masters.

Accomplishing the Impossible: Grit and Determination Drive Successful Alcatraz Swim

My aunt dropped me off on a muggy summer day in July 2022. As I climbed the stairs to the office of my physical therapist, Casey, I contemplated how to break the news.

We started off the session making small talk. As he rotated my stubborn shoulder, I finally proclaimed, “I’m going to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco next summer.”

Casey stared at me for a few seconds before responding, “Victoria, I admire that you set goals, but this one is a stretch for you. Honestly, I think it’s impossible”.

“I know,” I said, smiling. “But I’m going to do it anyway.”

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The years 2021 and 2022 were tough in all aspects of my life. In March 2021, I fractured my hip moving my husband’s motorcycle. Then I fell ill with pneumonia in May and relapsed in June. And just when I started feeling better, I contracted COVID-19 and was carted away in an ambulance for what became a 10-day hospital stay, the first six of which I was so weak I could barely lift my arm to reach the call bell.

Upon returning home, I was confined to six weeks of bed rest. Being out of breath became my new norm, talking required use of an inhaler, and I needed in-home nursing care and physical and respiratory therapy. My husband moved out in November, filed for divorce just before Christmas, and in March I was officially, bewilderingly divorced.

Just as I started to rebound from these personal setbacks, in June 2022 I hit a deer while riding a motorcycle, shattering my clavicle. What was supposed to be a one-hour surgery turned into a three-hour procedure due to bone fragments that had shredded muscles and ligaments in my shoulder. With no PTO or sick leave, the 10-week recovery out of work quickly became a financial disaster.

I did not know what to do or how to keep going.

Soon after, my best friend suggested that I needed a fresh start to rid my “bad juju.” I initially thought she was nuts, but the more I considered it, the more my mindset changed. Later that day, I saw a video about a swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco and decided that this is what I needed — a fresh start with a new goal.

I subsequently moved to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and started a new job. My new home enabled me to keep my horse nearby on the property, and the Lakes Region provided many beautiful swimming holes. I was finally in a good place.

In January 2023, I joined a local pool and started training for the Alcatraz Swim. I had swum, lifeguarded, taught, and coached swimming for over 15 years, but with zero open water experience I soon realized I needed to find a coach.

I called Suzan Ballmar of Breakaway Athletic Coaching and explained my goal. She tried to dissuade me, explaining that San Francisco Bay was challenging for veteran open water swimmers, never mind newbies. Also, I lived an hour away from her.

Nonetheless, I was willing to do the work and managed to convince her to coach me. In February, we established a training plan that included three written workouts per week plus a monthly in-person training session.

The first few weeks were tough. The written workouts did not look overly difficult, but my health complications made a 1,200-yard swim feel like 10 miles. Some days, it took me 90 minutes to swim 1,000 yards, after which I could barely climb out of the pool. Other days, my shoulder hurt so much I was forced to kick most of the workout.

Despite these hurdles, I made gains and Suzan was confident I’d be ready to take on San Francisco Bay. My practice distances steadily increased, and by June I was swimming 4,000 yards in just over an hour. Progress!

I booked and paid for my flights, hotel, wetsuit rental, and swim support. The big day was set for Saturday, July 8, at 8 a.m. But true to form, there was a last-minute snag five days before my swim — the store I rented my wetsuit from canceled my rental.

I called Suzan in tears. How could I secure a new wetsuit in five days while traveling across the country around the July 4th holiday? Ultimately, though, my panic was unfounded — within a few hours Suzan secured a wetsuit for me to borrow. I picked it up the next day and was on my way to California.

On July 8, I woke to a cold and windy day. My family helped me get ready in the parking lot as nerves set in. Six of us were swimming that day, all first-timers. During the safety briefing, the captain explained that the boat would be positioned up front with the fastest swimmer and the kayak in the rear trailing the group. He reminded us that the swim was not a race and described the conditions as 3 to 4-foot swells and strong currents. I thought “no big deal,” until I got out on the boat and saw the extent of 4-foot swells.

With Alcatraz looming, I glanced at my sister and said, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She offered an encouraging smile and replied, “don’t worry, you got this.”

Go time. I’m third into the water. Cold shocks my body like a lightning bolt, but I kick into action and start swimming toward the first mark. True to the captain’s words, the waves are big and the current strong. I stroke hard but feel stuck in place, with little visibility above or below the water. A seal pops up next to me, then just as quickly disappears.

Occasionally, as I rotate to breathe, a wave crashes over me, rolling me onto my back. “This is insane,” I think, but then remember the hardships and near-death experiences I’ve endured. I’ve come too far to give up now. I glance back at Alcatraz and soldier on. The water is 58 degrees, but only my face is cold.

Near the halfway point, I pause in the middle of San Francisco Bay to take in the scenery and realize I’m all alone. The boat is far ahead and the kayak far behind. As I continue on and approach the shore, I remember the captain’s instructions not to go to shore without his signal, because undershooting the current could sweep me away. The boat eventually reaches me and gives the go-ahead signal, but I’m a half-mile farther down the beach than the intended finish area. My 1.5-mile swim has become more like 2 miles. As I reach landfall, my family runs down the beach to congratulate me.

My goal had been to complete the swim in under 80 minutes, which I beat handily, finishing in 50 minutes even with the extra distance. This swim is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done, rightly earning its reputation as one of the hardest swims in U.S.

Best of all, though, I accomplished what I was told was impossible.

By Victoria Dow of Pittsfield, New Hampshire.

All shook up for the Glen Lake Swim: Viva Las Glennie

Rocking the lake shore before, during and after the race was Mark Shelton, a three-time inductee in the Elvis Tribute Artist Hall of Fame.

The Glen Lake Swim, Viva Las Glennie was held in Goffstown, NH on August 13th. A threatening forecast had volunteers on edge for several days leading up to the event, but come race morning, the sun came poking through, delivering a beautiful day on which to hold the fifth episode of this unique U.S. Masters Swimming-sanctioned competition. The water temperature was 72 degrees, making it perfect for swimming with or without a wetsuit.

The Glen Lake Swim has a subtitle each year. This year’s Viva Las Glennie theme harkened back to the days of the very first verifiable Glennie sightings at Glen Lake during the 1960s, and was a celebration of the best music from that era. Glennie is the friendly plesiosaur-like creature that has been trapped in Glen Lake since the Gregg’s Falls Dam was constructed in 1918. Rocking the lake shore before, during, and after the race was Mark Shelton, a three-time inductee in the Elvis Tribute Artist Hall of Fame. Mark sang many of Elvis’ greatest hits, including a special composition written just for the day, entitled “Viva Las Glennie.”

The swim course was a one-mile triangular-shaped circuit lined with nine large colorful buoys that were deployed on the water at daybreak by event volunteers. Nine-foot-tall orange triangular buoys marked the turns. Seven-foot yellow buoys lined the straightaways. There were two competitions, a one-mile single-loop race and a two-mile double loop competition. 150 swimmers participated and were grouped in five waves. The swimmers were seeded according to their estimated swim times, with the fastest swimmers starting in the first waves and the slower swimmers starting in the later waves. Grouping the swimmers in waves of approximately 30 competitors each was done for safety reasons, as it minimized passing and provided for better spacing of swimmers. It also made it easier for the dozens of kayak support volunteers and lifeguards to monitor swimmers as they traversed the course. Every participant wore a timing chip on their ankle. The event was net-timed with a separate clock starting when the horn sounded to start each wave, therefore it was not a disadvantage for a swimmer to start in a later wave.

Two-mile winner Eric Nielson leads the pack. This was Eric’s third consecutive win at the Glen Lake Swim. Can anyone beat him? (Ed Smith photo)

In addition to the kayakers and lifeguards, both the Goffstown Fire Department and the New Hampshire Marine Patrol were on hand to lend assistance and to keep recreational boat traffic away from the swim course. The event also had two support vessels on the course, one of which transported Dr. David Lewis, a physician and the organizing committee’s safety representative. Goffstown CERT was shore-side, ready to provide any assistance necessary. Fortunately no assistance was necessary on the water or on dry land.

Announcers Larry Shane and Tracy Grilli interviewed the top swimmers, including Michael Dowd, winner of the one-mile competition.

When the swimmers exited the water they were greeted by Elvis and were presented with colorful leis and a replica Viva Las Glennie vinyl record that can be used as a drink coaster. Framed gold, silver and bronze records were awarded to the winners of each race division, and colorful commemorative dice sets were given to the age-group winners.

Swimming to victory in the one-mile race was Michael Dowd (skins) from Holbrook, NY, finishing in 23:30. Michael is just 21 years old and was swimming in his first open-water race. Winning the women’s skins division was Brenna Dowd from Bustins Island, ME at 25:41. In the wetsuit division, David Keyes from New Boston, NH took top honors for males at 25:31, and the women's wetsuit competition was won by Jocelyn Nokes of Nashua, NH at 26:37.

In the two-mile race, and for the third year in a row, Eric Nilsson from Boston , MA (skins) was first out of the water, swimming an incredible 41:50 time, his fastest Glennie yet. First overall female was Jill Blankenhorn from Barrington, RI (skins) at 49:56. First male wetsuit swimmer, and the second two-miler out of the water was Stuart Cromarty, of Foster, RI at 42:54. The first female wetsuit swimmer was Brooke O’Connor of Billerica, MA at 55:52.

Prior to the start of the race, the swimmers participated in a dry land warmup led by Michelle Barbeau from the Bella Vita Dance Academy, as Mark “Elvis” Shelton sang.

Goffstown Television live-streamed the event with a multi-camera shoot. Several hours of footage will be edited down into a program that will premiere at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester, NH later this year, followed by online availability. The premier will be free to all swim participants, volunteers and their families.

Top prizes for the event were furnished by SwimOutlet.com, DICK’S Sporting Goods, and Runner’s Alley/Marathon Sports. Many other local and national sponsors contributed to the event’s success, including: Eversource, New Wave Swim Buoy, Elliot Health System, Northeast Delta Dental, Hitchiner, SweetWater Swim Studio, Chunky's Cinema Pub, Mountain Base Brewery, Pelmac Industries, St. Mary's Bank, Lymeez, Staples - Bedford, NH, Sully's Superette, Panera Bread, Stonyfield Farm, Goldenrod Restaurant, Goffstown Hannaford, Trek Hooksett. A very special thanks to all volunteers, Goffstown Parks and Recreation, and the Granite YMCA for their invaluable assistance.

Full results, event details, and the complete story of the mysterious Glennie are available at https://www.glenlakeswim.com.

 And they are off! Grouped in waves, the Glen Lake swimmers head out on the course (Ed Smith photo).

Framed gold, silver and bronze records were presented to the winners of each race division.