Swimming for Life

Motivation

The author after being patched up by the ship’s doctor. — When we think of places to enjoy swimming in Europe our minds tend to drift to the Greek islands, Spain, the French Riviera or the warm beaches in Italy. Think of beautiful and inviting warm places like Nice, Barcelona, Capri or Santorini. Sunny, sandy beaches, warm water and beautiful people. But would […]

Off the Block – Swimming in Scandinavia

January 5, 2023 in Aqua Master Online / Human Interest / Long Distance / Motivation / Open Water by Joe Oakes

by Valerie Jenkins Over the past month we have hosted several celebrations for Wink Lamb’s 100th birthday. Wink shared with me earlier this year that he did not want a large party so several of the Vancouver area swimmers coordinated our efforts and planned different smaller events. Over 100 Masters swimmers […]

Celebrating a Century!

January 5, 2023 in Aqua Master Online / Events / Human Interest / Motivation by Aqua Master Editor

We didn’t go to the Antarctic to swim. Eighty-six of us, all experienced marathon runners, were there to take part in the very first full-distance marathon (26.2 miles) held on that frigid continent, an event organized by a Boston company called Marathon Tours and Travel. It would be a unique […]

HOT OR COLD? TAKE YOUR CHOICE

October 20, 2022 in Aqua Master Online / Featured / Human Interest / Motivation by Joe Oakes

Joe Oakes — I must confess that, for several reasons, I was reluctant to do this swim. Here is what I mulled over while deciding whether to do the swim or not: The Voice whispering into my left ear said: You know that you do not love getting up at five A.M. to […]

Roy Webster Cross Channel Swim, 2022

September 17, 2022 in Aqua Master Online / Events / Human Interest / Motivation / Open Water / Special by Joe Oakes

The sternwheeler - the windsock and flag are indicative of the wind on the OR side. that transports swimmers to the WA side. — Monday, September 5, 2022 by Diane Peterson This swim event was canceled for 4 of the past 6 years. Due to smoke from the Eagle Creek fire in 2017; rough water in 2018; and then Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021. It was nice to finally have it back! It […]

The Rest of the Story–Roy Webster Cross Channel Swim

September 17, 2022 in Aqua Master Online / Events / Featured / Human Interest / Meet Summary / Motivation / Open Water by Aqua Master Editor

Kevin Cleary — For this month’s article, and given that Masters swim meets are finally returning to Oregon, I want to talk about the hardest opponent you will ever face. This particular person is much tougher and far more critical of you than any coach that you’ve ever had. They’ll drive you crazier […]

Your Toughest Opponent

March 28, 2022 in Aqua Master Online / Coach's Chair / Coaching / Human Interest / Motivation by Kevin Cleary

Long Distance Swimming — Oregon Participation summary for the 2022 USMS 1-Hour Virtual National Championship: 63 Oregon swimmers (37 women & 24 men) swam and entered. 8 Oregon clubs/local teams were represented. The Oregon Club placed third overall in the national club standings. Congratulations to… Our FIVE individual National Champions (USMS Long Distance […]

Long Distance Swimming – April 2022

March 28, 2022 in Aqua Master Online / ePostals / Events / Human Interest / Long Distance / Meet Summary / Motivation / Results / Results Summary by Bob Bruce

Willard "Wink" Lamb — In 1922, adventurous twin boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lamb of Longview, WA. Millard and Willard had names so similar that nether boy knew who was being called. So, Willard became Wink, and that’s what his friends have called him for nearly a century. On Sunday, January 30, […]

Still Quick as a Wink

February 24, 2022 in Aqua Master Online / Events / Featured / Human Interest / Meet Summary / Motivation / Special by Rick Howell

Last Saturday I went for my final August swim at Broughton Beach. Broughton Beach is on the Columbia River, right behind PDX. The swimming area is long enough for a few laps back and forth. It is a place on the Columbia River where I can feel safe from heavy […]

Keeping Our Beaches Clean

October 22, 2021 in Aqua Master Online / Featured / Human Interest / Motivation / Open Water / Special by Joe Oakes