A TEAM IS BORN

It was 1968. Judge Robert Beach was 37 and had just gotten on the Pinellas County circuit court bench.  A 3-pack a day smoker, he struggled to climb the stairs of his two-story home in the Old Northeast. One day, he was struck by images of unhealthy smokers on TV, and he put out his last cigarette.

It was a time when 25 was considered ‘over the hill.’ But it was also a time when Jack LaLanne took to the airwaves and hosted the first televised fitness program. Air Force lieutenant colonel, Dr. Kenneth Cooper, had just published a book citing the benefits of aerobic exercise. Bob Beach decided to start running, which lucky for us, lasted just one week.

His doctor suggested swimming as an alternative, so he made a trip to Northshore Pool and fell in love. With no training programs for adults, he started with the American Red Cross “Swim 50 Miles & Stay Fit” program.  Beach was barely able to swim two lengths of the pool, but he eventually worked his way up to a mile. He continued to swim 5 days a week for nearly 3 years, losing weight, gaining strength, and feeling better. 

In 1971, St. Pete Aquatics coach Harry Tillette shared an article written by Dr. Ransom J. Arthur, promoting the health benefits of swimming for ‘older’ individuals. Beach contacted Arthur, who responded by visiting St. Petersburg and encouraging Beach to host a competition at Northshore pool. This would become the first St. Pete Masters swim meet, and the second ‘Masters’ swim competition, the first being held in Amarillo, TX a few months prior, organized by John Spannuth, American Swimming Coaches Association president.  In 1972, Northshore hosted a second swim meet with 44 competitors. United States Masters Swimming (USMS) was conceived and formed from these first meets and the visions of Arthur, Spannuth, June Krauser (one of the first competitors at our meet in 1972), and Beach. 

We officially changed our Spring Championship Meet to the “Bob Beach SCY Championship,” in honor of Judge Beach. It is the longest continuously running Masters swim meet in the world, with the exception of 2020 because of the pandemic.

In the early 70’s, other swimmers John McGuire, Eugene Nagel, Mims and Eugene Jennings along with Beach, competed as St. Petersburg Recreation Department, which eventually became the St. Pete Masters we are today. Now over 200 members strong, coached by Fred Lewis and Gary Bastie, we take pride in having members ranging from novice to former college and Olympic swimmers, with goals varying from fitness to competition. 

Today we host a Short and Long Course championship meet every year.  We also encourage team participation in the many USMS Postal events and all USMS sanctioned meets held in the State of Florida and across the nation.  St Pete Masters is a registered member of United States Masters Swimming (USMS) and our local governing body, the Florida Local Masters Swimming.  We host structured (written) swim practices in the mornings and afternoons at the North Shore Aquatic Complex.  We provide workouts at the afternoon practice for members.  We also have many social opportunities including an annual awards banquet, several social events throughout the year, and a coffee group that meets weekday mornings.  

We welcome anyone who loves the water to come swim and play with us!