What Draws Olympians and Elite College Swimmers Back to the Pool as Masters Swimmers?

by SwimSwam 12

December 30th, 2024 Masters, News, Podcasts, Records, Sponsored

Courtesy: Kelly Palace

Many swimmers “retire” at a young age, stepping away from the sport after achieving success at the collegiate or Olympic level. But what if instead of stopping, they simply hit “pause”? Masters Swimming provides a welcoming pathway back into the water, allowing swimmers to rediscover the joy, community, and competition that first drew them to the sport. Here are three inspiring examples of Olympians and elite college swimmers who have returned to swimming through Masters, embracing it as a lifelong pursuit.

Champion’s Mojo for Masters Swimmers’ top three interviews from 2024 on elite swimmers endeavors in Masters Swimming:

1. U.S. Olympian Dave Sims Returns to Swimming with a Unique Approach (Episode 256)

Dave Sims, a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team and former Stanford University standout, rediscovered his love for swimming in his 40s through Masters Swimming. Joining the Santa Barbara Masters, he not only rekindled his competitive spirit but also set national records. Notably, Sims transitioned from excelling in long-distance events to mastering breaststroke and butterfly, even learning breaststroke at age 47. At 62, he remains passionate about swimming, inspired by older competitors who continue to race into their 90s and beyond.

Takeaway: What does changing from your best event to a backup event look like? Listen below:

2. Olympian and Champion of Chemistry and Kicking: Chris Stevenson (Episode 261)

Chris Stevenson, an Olympian (Greece 1984), standout college swimmer for UNC, and world and national record holder in Masters Swimming, shares his journey back to the pool after a hiatus due to personal and professional challenges. A chemistry professor at University of Richmond and long-time volunteer for U.S. Masters Swimming, Stevenson discusses overcoming physical and mental hurdles to regain his form. He offers insights into developing a strong underwater dolphin kick and emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals and finding joy in the process of swimming.

Takeaway: Was Chris Stevenson the original “blast-off” underwater kicker? And how has he dominated for decades on underwaters? Listen below:

3. At Age 27, Jenna Campbell Transitions from Elite College Swimmer to Masters World Record Holder (Episode 258)

Jenna Campbell, a former NCAA Division I swimmer at Cal Berkeley, set a Masters World Record in the 25-29 age group for the 200-meter long course freestyle with a time of 2:02.06 this summer at U.S. Masters Summer Nationals in Mission Viejo, CA. Her achievement underscores the opportunities Masters Swimming provides for elite athletes to continue competing and excelling beyond their collegiate careers. Campbell’s story is a testament to the vibrant competitive environment within Masters Swimming that caters to swimmers of all ages and backgrounds.

Takeaway: Is cross-training the key to success? Listen below:

For more inspiring stories and insights, listen on Champion’s Mojo for Masters Swimmers.

About The Champion’s Mojo Podcast for Masters Swimmers:

With over 5 years, 260 episodes published and 8 podcasting awards, Champion’s Mojo has interviewed some of the top swimmers, thought leaders and coaches in our sport. Their special focus is on topics that are interesting and important to Masters Swimmers. They are a podcast that inspires and empowers adult athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and Masters swimmers to live with personal excellence. Each episode delves into the heart of what it takes to become a champion—not just in sports, but in life. Hosted by world record-setting athlete Kelly Palace, this show is filled with insightful conversations, deep questions, and real stories that motivate you to reach your full potential. Join us as we speak with champions, coaches, and experts who share their secrets to success and well-being. Ready to unlock your champion mindset? Visit ChampionsMojo.com for more.

Subscribe to the Champions’ Mojo Podcast today and don’t miss an episode. Hosted by Kelly Palace, you can learn more about the Host here.

Swimming podcast feature is courtesy of Champion’s Mojo, a SwimSwam partner. 

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Barbara Hoellen
15 hours ago

I have coached swimming for 60 years. I am double jointed and at 45, in 1990, I broke the 50 meter short course world record for butterfly for my age group. I did a 33.93 for that event. I swam down in no breath and came back in one breath. I am a middle distance swimmer. The only way I could sprint was not to breath and do a one beat kick ( the first kick). I was able to turn my arms over much faster. I also hyper ventilated before my race so I wouldn’t need much oxygen. I also broke two world records on relays, one in Master World Games Australia 1988 and Rio De Genero in 1990.… Read more »

Kelly Palace
Reply to  Barbara Hoellen
2 hours ago

Hi Barbara! What an inspiration you are!!! We need to chat. Can you please reach out to me at http://www.championsmojo.com?

Truth Teller
1 day ago

Body of work

Chuck Itineranis
1 day ago

Lest we forget, the US boycotted the 1980 Olympics…. “Olympian”

Admin
Reply to  Chuck Itineranis
1 day ago

They don’t like it when you do that.

William Keever
1 day ago

I can validate Chris Stevenson had the underwaters before anyone. His “3-4” underwater kicks off the wall in the early 80’s had him at the 12 1/2 mark easily. He put up times that many of us in North Carolina chased for years after he left for college. 100 fly and 100 back Junior National Champion….back when there was only 1 in the country. Followed that up with swimmer of the year in the ACC at UNC.

Great interview and enjoyed hearing Chris.

cynthia curran
2 days ago

Its great exercise. A lot of us were average swimmers as well like the A and B type of age group that swam high school and also community college.

Daniel Jorgensen
2 days ago

Really enjoyed Dave Sims interview. Loved what he had to said.
I picked up swimming (again) at the age of 50, after my last competitive race at the 1992 Olympics in the 400 free. Twenty-six-year hiatus (1988 and 1992 US Olympian).

My orthopedic surgeon recommend I start back up to help with my arthritis. I have improved my overall health and made some new friends in the process. It was a struggle at first looking at the clock (how slow I was going) but eventually came accepted where I was in the process, and it has been good ever since.

Thanks for the interview.

Kelly Palace
Reply to  Daniel Jorgensen
2 days ago

Hi Daniel, Glad you are back in the water and benefitting! It’d be great to have you on Champion’s Mojo. If you are interested please reach out to me via our website above. I’m sure your story would inspire others. 🙂 Thank you!

Morning in America Again
2 days ago

The article mentions Dave Sims who was a member of the 1980 US Olympic team.

Former President Jimmy Carter passed away yesterday at age 100. I remember talking with coaching great George Haines in the late 1990s about his career.

Haines was quite candid in his contempt for Carter’s decision to have the US boycott the 1980 Moscow Games. “It was the worst thing a president has ever done for athletes. So many swimmers were needlessly hurt by that decision. Politics should’ve been left out.”

Guimaraes Cayley
2 days ago

Frustration. Watching all the changes in technique and training and knowing that I would be able today to swim WAY faster than I was able then. I am 60 yo now. When I was a breaststroker swimmer, and a sprinter, training was grueling (100×100 comes to mind). We were training to be good at training, not to go faster and not to compete. I simply could not keep up with my teammates in training, even though I would beat them at competitions. I used to PRAY for taper. Despite all my training being wrong, I could manage best times of 30s in the 50m. 1.05 in the 100m. And 2.12 in 200m. All breaststroke). At the age of 40, with… Read more »

SwimCoach
Reply to  Guimaraes Cayley
2 days ago

Conversely, I always loved coaching with an emphasis on race speed in practice as it’s a lot more fun and was great giving these kids something that feel like would have been great for me but never had.

I remember when training about 1/3 to half the team had a consistent nagging shoulder injury. That’s no longer the case. It’s rare to have a kid with an actual shoulder injury. But everyone’s swimming so much faster. It’s easier to sell a kid to push themselves hard in practice when they see a direct payoff to results in competition.

I hated that I could drop my intervals in practice and get so much faster and be able to put in… Read more »