Articles and Videos
Or explore our comprehensive overview on the following topics:
Breathing Rare Air
Born with cystic fibrosis, 61-year-old Patti Zuppan-Hood survived a double lung transplant to become a decorated swimmer. Joining Walnut Creek Masters, she went on to break world records and win dozens of gold medals at the World Transplant Games and Transplant Games of America.
How to Do a Great Freestyle Pull
This instructional guide details how to execute an effective freestyle pull by establishing an early vertical forearm, applying backward pressure, and accelerating through to the hip. It outlines five practical drills—including wall pulls, single-arm power pulls, and paddle variations—to build propulsion and technique.
Swimming to France
Writer David McGlynn details his successful, four-year preparation and 11-hour, 17-minute unassisted swim across the English Channel. Guided by experienced crew members and pilot Rob Thompson, he overcame turbulent seas, shipping lanes, jellyfish, and shifting currents to complete the 20-plus-mile crossing.
Meet the Man Behind the Lens
For 30 years, former research scientist turned sports photographer Peter Bick has captured elite and Masters swimming. A fixture at pool decks nationwide, his prolific work has graced publications globally and earned him the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Arthur Schoenfield Media Award.
Holiday Gift Guide 2026
Shop these USMS partner specials for holiday gifts, or just to start the New Year off right with some new equipment.
Rich Burns Receives the 2026 Ransom Arthur Award
Tamalpais Aquatic Masters member Rich Burns, 83, received the 2026 Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award for 40 years of volunteer service to USMS. The world-record swimmer created USMS's first logo, developed member benefits, and spearheaded marketing initiatives.
Overuse vs. Under-Prepared: What’s Really Causing Your Pain
This article argues that swim injuries often stem from being under-prepared rather than simple overuse. Consistent training, conservative volume increases, and swim-specific dryland strength programs build the physical capacity necessary to handle higher training loads and reduce pain.
Sweet and Sour Pork Over Brown Rice
This complete, well-balanced, quick-and-easy, mouth-watering meal can be made in 20 minutes. It’s packed with vitamin C to support a healthy immune system during the winter.
How Much Are You Slowing Down?
USMS founding member and researcher Robert Rubin analyzed 40 years of USMS 1-Hour Virtual Championship data, revealing that swimming performance declines by ~0.6% annually between ages 35 and 70 before accelerating. However, consistent training and strength work significantly slow age-related drops.
Sleep Won’t Fix This Kind of Fatigue
Beyond physical tiredness, nonphysical rest deficits like emotional, social, and mental fatigue can leave you exhausted. The article highlights how setting boundaries, varying routines, processing emotions, and seeking professional guidance can help restore energy when sleep alone falls short.
Technique Tune-Up
At 68, Barbara Cocci transitioned from casual pool laps to completing the 28.5-mile 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan. Working with coaches, building distance incrementally, lowering stroke turnover, and training in open water were essential to her ultramarathon swimming success.
Relieve Your Tension With Foam Rolling
This article explains how combining foam rolling with targeted, low-resistance movements improves swimming recovery, range of motion, and stability. It details three specific exercise pairings for the lats, hamstrings, and calves to relieve tension and build control.
From the Center Lanes: Greg Oxley
Multiple USMS record-holder Greg Oxley, 68, explains how he adapted his training to preserve his joints while maintaining speed. By prioritizing fast freestyle kicking sets, short-fin sprints, resistance work, and explosive dryland exercises, he successfully preserves fast-twitch muscles and race power.
Ask the Coach: Ondine Beaufils
Long Beach Grunions coach Ondine Beaufils explains why sprint training, resistance work, and dive technique benefit triathletes. By building cardiovascular capacity, stroke tempo, and power, controlled high-intensity pool sets help athletes build a stronger training base to swim faster in endurance events.
Counting Down to Personal Bests— the Artist’s Way
Faced with her father’s severe health crisis, 49-year-old artist Bonnie Lee used swimming and an 80-day creative art countdown to cope with anxiety and prepare for the 2026 USMS Summer National Championship, ultimately achieving multiple personal bests.
A Rematch 50 Years in the Making
Fifty years after losing a grueling 1650-yard college swimming race to Drexel’s Bruce Carter, Bucknell alumnus reconnects with his former rival through Masters swimming. Returning to the exact same pool at La Salle University, he wins their long-awaited 2023 rematch.
Thank You
Longtime contributors reflect on writing for SWIMMER magazine, celebrating its supportive community and impact. Experts across journalism, physical therapy, strength coaching, and nutrition share how sharing specialized advice, inspirational member profiles, and personal journeys enriched both readers and their own lives.
Thank You for Reading
After 21 years, SWIMMER magazine is ending its regularly published print edition. Editor-in-chief Daniel Paulling expresses gratitude to readers, contributors, and editorial staff while announcing a shift toward digital written and video content to serve members and attract new audiences.
Five Swim Workouts for Returning to Swimming After a Long Break
This guide presents five progressive USMS-certified swim workouts (1,000 to 1,750 yards) designed to help returning swimmers safely rebuild endurance, technique, speed, and confidence after time away from the pool, prioritizing gradual recovery and form over speed.
The 5 Best 1-Mile Swim Workouts
This guide features five 1,650-yard (one-mile) USMS-certified swim workouts designed to build aerobic endurance, refine technique, and improve race pacing, offering targeted sessions for negative splitting, ladder training, stroke efficiency, sustainable tempo, and open-water race simulation.
