Masters swimmers not about to let life pass by
By Mike Tymn
Special to The Advertiser
At 56, Roger Cundall is not quite the same swimmer he was when he competed for the University of Southern California nearly four decades ago.
Mike Tymn photo
But that doesn't mean he isn't better in other areas.
Even at 56, Betty Ann Barnett-Sallée and Roger Cundall are still outstroking the competition as they rejuvenate their swimming careers. They will compete in the U.S. Masters nationals at UH this week.
"I'm probably a little slower, at least in the shorter distances. But I'm much more focused now than I was in college," Cundall said. "And mentally I'm tougher than I was back then. I have more desire to excel."
Cundall, who was a breaststroke swimmer in college but is now mostly a freestyler, will be representing the Hawai'i Masters swim club in the U.S. Masters Swimming Short-Course National Championships at the University of Hawai'i's Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex tomorrow through Friday.
Also 56, Betty Ann Barnett-Sallée, a former Punahou School standout, agrees with Cundall when it comes to comparing her swimming now and then.
"I'm about five seconds slower in the 100-yard backstroke," she said, "but I hope to narrow the gap this year. I do find the competition more stressful now than I did in high school and grade school, because we have so few meets. But swimming has always given me relaxation and fitness in my daily life, and so I am thoroughly enjoying it."
Cundall and Barnett-Sallée, who train together, will be among 1,103 swimmers, including about 100 from Hawai'i, competing in the four-day meet.
A 1.25-mile ocean swim Saturday follows the pool events. Competition will be in five-year age groups beginning with the 19-24 division and going on up to 80-plus.
Both Cundall and Barnett-Sallée brought back six gold medals between them from the FINA world championships held in Christchurch, New Zealand the last week of March.
Barnett-Sallée accounted for four gold medals and three world records in the 55-59 age division. The world records came in the 50- (35.51), 100- (1:17.51), and 200-meter (2:51.07) backstroke races, while her other gold was in the 400-meter freestyle (5:39.00). She also brought home a silver in the 200 individual medley.
Cundall won his world championships in the 100 (1:02.32) and 200 (2:19.71) freestyle races, while also capturing bronze medals in the 200 IM and 800 freestyle.
The world championships were in a 50-meter pool (long-course), while the nationals here will be conducted in a 25-yard pool (short-course).
"There can be a big difference," Cundall explained. "In the short-course, there are more turns and so your turning technique is more critical. Also, in short-course swimming, you get to rest more because you are, in effect, taking a little break in those few seconds you are turning. So it is possible for a weaker swimmer to beat a stronger swimmer if his turning technique is better."
Barnett-Sallée smiled and shook her head. "Thirty-nine flips in 1,000 freestyle," she mused. "I'm not looking forward to that."
Cundall, a sales representative for sporting goods, and Barnett-Sallée, a flight attendant with Hawaiian Airlines, have been averaging about 5,500 yards of training five days a week, alternating workouts in the ocean and in the pool.
"I think I'm stronger this year than last," said Barnett-Sallée, who just returned to serious pool competition last year, winning four gold medals and breaking four national records in her age-division at the short-course nationals in Santa Clara, Calif.
"No matter how long you've been swimming, you're always learning something new to help you improve," she said. "The training is hard, but it instills toughness and character that carry over into other pursuits of life."
Both swimmers give credit to a nutritional system they started last year under the guidance of former University of the Pacific strength and conditioning coach John McBride.
"With 13 months of the proper nutrition, my body has gotten considerably stronger," Cundall explained, also mentioning that he went from a 36-inch waist to 30 inches while maintaining his weight at 190.
"My muscle mass has improved and my training duration is much longer," he said. "I would not have won any races in New Zealand without the training supplements."
The system they are on is called Advocare, the key being better metabolism, enhanced muscle recovery and overall better health.
"I could tell the difference after using the Advocare supplement for one or two days," Cundall added.
After the nationals this week, Cundall and Barnett-Sallée will turn to ocean swimming, including the North Shore Challenge series, the Maui Channel Relays, and the Waikiki Roughwater Swim on Labor Day. They are considering the World Masters Games in Melbourne during October. Cundall will also paddle for the Outrigger Canoe Club.
