One of the Tucson J’s most beloved aquatics programs, Masters Swim Club, provides coached recreational swimming workouts for adults of all swimming abilities. Coached by Jonathan Batchelor and Katie Melmer, Masters meets weekday early mornings and evenings and offers Saturday morning practices.
Each session begins with a warm-up followed by an organized swim workout and offers plenty of modifications for those who need them.
“There’s a lot of community aspect about our masters team,” said Mallory Shenker, Director of Athletics + Aquatics at the J. “It is a time for folks to get better in the pool and to have a strong workout that is led by a coach who challenges them to be their best self in the water.”
From Runner to Swimmer
Ken Goodman, a commercial contractor, has been a member of the J since the late 1980s, a board member for the last eight years, and a member of Masters for 16 years. A former sub-three-hour marathoner, Ken transitioned into swimming when running became more challenging for his body.
“As I was getting older, in running, I was getting slower and getting more injuries,” said Ken. “It was really taking a toll on my body. But with swimming, I have found that I can do more now than I ever did. If you do a coached program like Masters, you actually get faster, and you don’t see that in most other exercise programs.”
“Swimming is a lifelong workout,” said Mallory. “Our community is great as far as the wide variety of people who are participating in the program.”
Shared Strokes
At the J, you certainly can reserve a lane and go for a solo swim, but Masters offers swimmers a like-minded community and coaching expertise that provides accountability and skill-building.
“I’m glad I found Masters swimming because without having a coach, looking at how I was stroking in the water, there was no way I was going to be able to tell how I was doing or what I was doing,” chuckled Ken.
A Masters swimmer for five years and a J member for six, Mari Thompson is a teacher and has always kept swimming a part of her life. From childhood and into adulthood, Mari has always swum on both teams and recreationally.
“The camaraderie is amazing. The coaching is fabulous. Jonathan is our coach, and he is so good about making everybody feel welcome,” said Mari. “There are workouts and help with skills if you need it, but there’s not the pressure of performance. Masters really does meet you where you are. It helps you to be a better swimmer or just to socialize and get some exercise.”
Embracing Community
While both Mari and Ken love the guided workouts, they are even more passionate about the community they have built in the program.
“Once you get into a routine with swimming with the team, it really becomes a pleasurable experience. You develop a camaraderie with your teammates, and that camaraderie transfers into friendships. There are events that we participate in that are not swimming events, like a holiday party, for instance,” said Ken.
“I would highly recommend Masters swimming for anybody that enjoys swimming, said Mari. “It’s nice to have a little bit of a push, but it’s really nice to have the group of swimmers to swim with. We all are just happy to be together.”
In Masters swimming, there is room for swimmers of all ages and abilities. All that matters is that “you’re striving to be better every workout,” said Ken.
“I always feel so good after the workout. And if you could just bottle that up and pass it out, that would be great,” said Mari. “But people need to experience it here. Like I said earlier, everybody is welcome!”
Be a Part of It
All adult swimmers are invited to join Masters Swim Club for incredible workouts and community. It is recommended, not required, to know at least two strokes. Swimmers can sign up at a monthly all-access rate or join for Saturdays only; Saturdays are practices with no coaching (bonus: the Saturday-only option is free for members of the J!). If you have any questions about the program, please contact Mallory Shenker.
Masters Swim Club Drop In Practice Schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Friday (coach-led): 5-7am
Tuesday + Thursday (coach-led): 6-7pm
Saturday (uncoached, practice/workout provided): 7:00-8:30am
