Like many people who find their way back to swimming at midlife, Keith Hoffman is looking forward to taking his swimming to the next level at Summer Nationals. But his real passion is raising awareness about prostate cancer. Hoffman, 53, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the summer of 2009 and had successful surgery to remove his prostate gland two weeks later. In 2010, this member of Nitro Masters in Austin, Texas proved to himself that his life wasn’t over by posting a blazing time in the 100 breaststroke that was only a hair slower than his best time at age 45.

Even though he is competitive, he sees swimming as “his fitness for life” activity. Hoffman believes swimming helped to resuscitate his quality of life and his zest for life after his cancer and surgery.

Kimberley Chambers dives into adventure, and when she is in over her head, she just swims harder. She has chosen to live life this way after almost losing her leg. Her attitude is propelling her to accomplish some amazing open water feats, including crossing the notoriously violent Cook Strait in 8 hours and 26 minutes on March 5, 2012.

Cook Strait separates the North and South islands of New Zealand. It is 16 nautical miles wide and part of the Ocean’s Seven swim series. Fewer than ten people attempt it each year, and fewer of half of those make it to the other side. There are only a handful of tide windows during the season when it can be done, and the area is extremely windy even on a good day. According to cookstraitswim.org, sharks are encountered in one out of every six swims, but so far there have been no attacks.