Princeton Area Masters 1972 To The Present
(and still going strong!)
Princeton Area Masters (P.A.M.) is the oldest Masters Swim program in continuing operation in the state of New Jersey. The idea for such a program was conceived in December 1971, organized in the Spring of 1972 and put into operation the Summer of 1972, all the work of Tink Bolster , from Princeton, New Jersey.
P.A.M. (known as Princeton Aquatic Association Masters in its very early years -- 1972-1973) offers a year round Masters Swim Program under the auspices of The Princeton (NJ) Recreation Department. Originally, Princeton University's 25 yd. Dillon Pool was utilized. Since 1990, the program has operated out of Princeton University's indoor 50 mtr. DeNunzio Pool for Fall, Winter and Spring sessions. The Summer session has always been held at the Princeton Community Park 50 mtr. outdoor pool.
Tink Bolster and fellow P.A.M. member Jim Pendergrass , put on the first big masters meet in New Jersey, the East Coast Masters Invitational, held at Princeton University's Dillon Pool in May 1973, 1974 and 1975. This meet was a huge success and drew many swimmers from all over the east coast, and some "celebrity" swimmers, including Clarence "Buster" Crabbe, who played the role of Tarzan in a Hollywood movie and Flash Gordon in a serial. Eventually, Jersey Masters Swim Team took over the running of this meet and held it in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
See related article: "An Early History of Masters Swimming in New Jersey"
