About St Pete Masters
Eugene Jennings and
Robert "Judge" Beach were right there at the start. The start of St Pete Masters that is, sometime around 1970. Followed shortly thereafter in 1971 by the first master's short course yards meet at North Shore pool. Today this is the longest continuous Masters Swim Meet in the WORLD! In 1984 George Bole became the head coach and the team grew as the multi sports races became increasingly popular. The local triathlon and beach biathlon scene expanded the sport and team beyond the pool. Started in 1998, SPM's Hurricane -man may be the largest open water swim in the Southeast with 330 swimmers in 2009. As the baby boomers age and injure, the impact friendly pool and masters swimming are increasingly more popular.
SPM, North Shore Pool, and USMS
SPM's home is North Shore pool. The coached practices are in the morning and afternoon. But you can find many a masters swimmer sneaking in a workout during the regular lap swimming pool hours, especially at noon. North Shore is a beautiful outdoor heated facility open all year round. There is always lap swimming available during the public hours. But the advantage of joining the team is swimming with a team. Don't underestimate the advantage of a little competition and encouragement during that workout. Few of us would work as hard except that it's written on the workout and everybody else is doing it.
St Pete Masters is part of United States Masters Swimming (USMS) a national organization that provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics and workshops for adults aged 18 and over. See their page, About USMS to see what Masters Swimming is all about.
SPM Welcomes Visiting Masters
SPM has always welcomed visiting Masters to come join our workouts. Check our practice pages for
practice times,
typical workouts, and
practice groups.
