Swim harder, swim longer, swim faster. This phrase may seem arbitrary to many, but to the Ole Miss Master Swimmers, it has become more than just a mantra: it’s their motivation.
The Masters Swim program is a new addition to the aquatics department at the Turner Center. Established in August 2015, this student led program’s mission is to encourage adults to swim.
According to a 2011 study conducted by Berkley Wellness at the University of California, swimming offers a myriad of benefits. It is proven to enhance heart and lung capacity, control blood sugar and blood pressure, relieve arthritis and back pain and aid in weight loss by burning approximately 600 calories per hour.
Masters Swim coach Tom Kelly pioneered the program when he realized there was no outlet to continue his passion for swimming. Kelly, a sophomore, was a former champion competitive swimmer.
“Coming to Ole Miss as a transfer student, I wanted to be on an intramural or club swim team, but I found out it’s not offered,” Kelly said. “So I saw a need for it, and then started the Masters.”
The program has 20 registered participants and around twelve regulars, but there is always room for more, Kelly said.
Masters offers classes from 6 to 7 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. The program costs $20 per semester and is accessible to all students and Campus Recreation members.
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- Nick Senften warming up before practice (Ariel Cobbert | The DM)
“The neat thing about Masters is it’s open to everyone, regardless of age,” Kelly said.
The program’s age demographic ranges from 18-year-old college students to 60-year-old triathletes. Prerequisites for the program are required to ensure the participants safety. Each Masters Swimmer must complete a 100-yard swim for freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke before continuing with the program.
According to Kelly, the workouts normally consist of swimming anywhere from 2500-3000 yards within 45-minute increments involving various drills to critique form and stroke.
“The purpose is to just get people in the water,” Kelly said. “It’s such a good workout, and having someone there swimming with you encourages and motivates you to strive for more.”
Not only does the Masters program offer cutting-edge workouts, but also generates a sense of camaraderie between the participants.
“You get to meet so many people,” Kelly said. “There’s a bond that forms like no other because you can understand and hold each other accountable.”
Because Masters Swim is still in its developmental stages, the program is not currently registered with the U.S. Masters Swim team and therefore it is an exclusively an inter-squad program. They have arranged, however, to go to a few Masters Swim competitions as a non-official team to gain more experience and strengthen their craft.
Ole Miss aquatics assistant director Mark Garneau said his main goal is for the program to become registered with the U.S. Masters team.
“The team is growing quickly,” Garneau said. “Once we can get established and have a consistent number of people, we will be able to register as an official team.”
Garneau played an integral part in orchestrating the Masters Swim program. He began working on the project in 2003, but could never get the idea off the ground.
“It just never stuck,” Garneau said.
According to Garneau, the program has ignited primarily because of Kelly’s passion and dedication to the program.
The Masters Swim program is geared towards former swimmers. It’s also open to students and members who want to experience the water, however. Garneau said he encourages individuals to dip their toes in the water and venture out to Masters Swim.
“Before you leave Ole Miss, come swimming,” Garneau said. “Most people have never been in a big swimming pool. Take advantage of this, because you probably won’t have this anywhere else.”
Turner Center lifeguard Catherine Carroon said she is inspired by the program.
“I think the Masters program is an awesome addition to our aquatics program,” Carroon said. “Tom is a great coach and has inspired me to get involved next semester. It’s impressive to see how many people are dedicated to come out, especially at 6 a.m., to get their swim in.”
