WORLD MASTERS OF THE YEAR ISSUE TEACHING THE DOLPHIN KICK DO’S & DON’TS OF A SWIM APRIL 2015 • VOLUME 56 • NO. 04 MOM $3.95 DARIAN TOWNSEND MASTER OF TWO CONTINENTS + SWIMMING’S MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS PART I VISIT SWIMMINGWORLD. COM/RESULTS FOR ALL COLLEGE RESULTS 15_AD_SWIMMINGWORLD_LZR_X_2_FO.indd 1 3/9/15 11:59 AM no strings attached. MASTER THE BASICS The ergonomic, strapless design of the Agility Paddles provides instant feedback to swimmers to improve technique. The convex design promotes a proper catch and reminds swimmers to maintain an early vertical forearm position. FINISinc.com MATT GREVERS | 4X OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST APRIL 2015 FEATURES 012 DARIAN TOWNSEND: CAPTAIN AMERICA 042 Q&A WITH COACH JASON WEBER by Annie Grevers by Michael J. Stott Darian Townsend was a member of South Africa’s 4 x 100 freestyle relay that upset 043 HOW THEY TRAIN JENNY HILL the United States men for Olympic gold by Michael J. Stott at Athens in 2004. Just last summer, he became a U.S. citizen, and the 30-year-old TRAINING is now viewed as a veteran and a leader for the Red, White and Blue. 037 DRYSIDE TRAINING: SPRINT FREESTYLE SET 016 EVENT SPECIALIZATION: WHAT TO by J.R. Rosania; demonstrated LOOK FOR, WHEN TO DO IT by Darian Townsend by Michael J. Scott JUNIOR SWIMMER 026 2014 TOP 12 WORLD MASTERS SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR 038 GOLDMINDS: SWIMMING’S by Jeff Commings, Annie Grevers, Jason MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS Marsteller and Emily Sampl (PART I: #s 1-15) by Wayne Goldsmith 035 WHAT IS A “MASTER”? Here is a summary of the 026 by Jeff Commings most important lessons the ON THE COVER Masters swimmers come in all shapes and author has learned in the sizes. Some are ultra-competitive; others business of helping swim- Darian Townsend is an Olympic are in it just to stay fit and possibly live mers and coaches realize gold medalist, a world record longer. Swimming World profiles three dif- their potential—a per- holder, an NCAA champion and sonal journey 25 years ferent types of Masters swimmers, and they one of Swimming World’s 2014 all seem to agree on one thing: Masters in the making! Top 12 World Masters Swimmers swimming is a lifelong sport. 045 UP & COMERS of the Year. He’s represented South Africa internationally for COACHING years, but after becoming a U.S. 010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: citizen last summer, the 30-year- NORT THORNTON old will now focus his attention on swimming fast for the United 020 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE States. A natural leader, he MISCONCEPTIONS: BUTTERFLY already captained his first U.S. UNDULATION national team in January at Aus- by Rod Havriluk tralia Swimming’s Super Series. A common swimming technique misconception is that an emphasis (See stories, pages 12 and 26, on undulation (a wave-like motion plus related story, page 37.) of the body) is necessary for an effective012 butterfly. In reality, an optimal butterfly has [PHOTO BY EMMI BRYTOWSKI] minimal undulation. COLUMNS 022 TEACHING DOLPHIN KICK by Bridger Bell 008 A Voice for the Sport Dolphin kick appears in all four strokes— including starts and turns. The following 040 MOMS AT MEETS program can help swimmers of any aptitude Swimming World presents a quarterly learn to execute effectively what may be the series that showcases moms and fastest movement in competitive swimming: dads of swimmers from around the dolphin kick. the country. 025 TECHNIQUE: BREATHING 046 Gutter Talk DURING BACKSTROKE 048 Parting Shot SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE (ISSN 0039-7431). Note: permission to reprint articles or excerpts from contents is prohibited without permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for errors in advertisements. Microfilm copies: available from University Microfilms, 313 N. First St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Swimming World Magazine is listed in the Physical Education Index. Printed in the U.S.A. © Sports Publications International, April 2015. 6 SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / April 2015 018048 A VOICE for the SPORT Swimming’s PUBLISHING, CIRCULATION AND Master(s) Plan ACCOUNTING OFFICE P.O. Box 20337, Sedona, AZ 86341 Toll Free in USA & Canada: 800-511-3029 BY CASEY BARRETT Phone: 928-284-4005 • Fax: 928-284-2477 www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Chairman of the Board, President - Richard Deal [email protected] hat if there were a focus group of than good one. A large portion of them Publisher, CEO - Brent T. Rutemiller [email protected] Wolder, wiser supporters who shared swam in college, often on scholarship, and Circulation/Art Director - Karen Deal your greatest passion and had a vested every last one of them understands the bone- [email protected] deep values that being a swimmer instills. interest in seeing you be successful? What if Circulation Manager - Maureen Rankin that group were composed of demographics College athletic directors need to hear [email protected] that force decision-makers to sit up and from them. They will listen. Advertising Production Coordinator - Betsy Houlihan listen? Said Shinofield: “College institutions [email protected] There is. They’re called Masters—and need to hear from the Masters swimming EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION, for good reason. community. The cost to run athletic MERCHANDISING, MARKETING AND ADVERTISING OFFICE Masters swimmers have long been a departments are rising at a rate of 8 to 12 2744 East Glenrosa Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016 silent majority who toil alongside club percent per year with income for those Toll Free: 800-352-7946 and college swimmers, too often without departments only rising 4 percent per year. Phone: 602-522-0778 • Fax: 602-522-0744 enough communication between the tiers of They will have to make hard decisions. The www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION our sport. discussion for Masters swimmers is not We all celebrate the crazy fast times of about monetizing the sport. The discussion [email protected] Senior Editor - Bob Ingram age groupers, and the brightest lights will is about what value the sport brings to [email protected] always shine on our national champions and the university and community. Colleges Managing Editor - Jason Marsteller Olympians, the ones who reach the pinnacle will keep the sports that bring the greatest [email protected] of pool-bound success. However, the ones value.” Assistant Managing Editor - Annie Grevers who continue on—for decades longer— Swimming World remains committed [email protected] tend not to receive the same headlines or to trumpeting the health of our sport. We Graphic Designers - Emmi Brytowski, Joe Johnson praise. all know that many college programs are Staff Writers - Michael J. Stott Masters are a proud bunch, and they endangered species. We understand that Fitness Trainer - J.R. Rosania don’t need pats on the back from the young pools cost plenty to run and maintain. But Chief Photographer - Peter H. Bick folk. That’s not why you stay in the water. this isn’t just about saving programs. There SwimmingWorldMagazine.com WebMaster: Sure, times will always be fun to track, and is a domino effect that will affect every [email protected] the rush of competition never gets old. But level of the sport. Fewer college programs MARKETING AND ADVERTISING when you continue coming to the pool, year will mean a drop in participation in high [email protected] after year, well past the age of retirement, school, particularly for boys. Without that Marketing Coordinator - Tiffany Elias it’s more than that. destination out there, many will choose [email protected] It’s because swimming is part of to pursue other sports. Less high school MULTI-MEDIA your soul. You’re the elders of our tribe. swimming will then lead to less club and Writer/Producer - Jeff Commings Swimming World recently spoke to Joel age group swimming, and down it goes. [email protected] Shinofield, the executive director for the And up it goes, too—to that large and INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS College Swimming Coaches Association powerful demographic of aquatic athletes Africa: Chaker Belhadj (TUN) Australia: Wayne Goldsmith, Ian Hanson of America (CSCAA). He’s a believer in who love this sport so much, they’ve decided Europe: Norbert Agh (HUN), Camilo Cametti (ITA), United States Masters Swimming (USMS), never to climb from the pool. No one wants Oene Rusticus (NED), Steven Selthoffer (GER), Rokur Jakupsstovu (FAR) and he’s quick to point out that their support to see the entire sport of swimming remain Japan: Hideki Mochizuki goes a lot further than simply respect. healthy and successful more than Masters. Middle East: Baruch “Buky” Chass, Ph.D. (ISR) South Africa: Neville Smith (RSA) Masters swimming can have a major They have your back, and they used to South America: Jorge Aguado (ARG), impact on the long-term survival of college be just like you. Alex Pussieldi (BRA) swimming. PHOTOGRAPHERS/SWTV Back to those demographics: most Peter H. Bick, USA Today Sports Images, Masters swimmers have a college degree Casey Barrett Reuters, Getty Images and earn a good living. Many earn a better Senior Commentator OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF: ENDORSED BY: PUBLISHER: P.O. Box 20337 Sedona, AZ 86341 Phone: 928.284.4005 Fax: 928.284.2477 www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com 8 SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / April 2015 COACHING LESSONS with the LEGENDS NORT THORNTON efore he became a household name attendant joy he gets from working with kids BY MICHAEL J. STOTT B nationally, Nort Thornton worked his and watching them progress. aquatic magic in suburban San Francisco. He first coached at newly formed Los Altos SCIENCE OF BREASTSTROKE SWIMMING WORLD CONTINUES High School and quickly produced power- In the last eight years, Thornton has A SERIES IN WHICH TOP house teams that featured Olympian Steve delved extensively into the science of breast- Clark and Bob Benson, who waged intense stroke, reaping impressive rewards for the COACHES SHARE SECRETS OF “paper battles” with New Trier (Ill.) for high Bears at NCAA Championships.