The 56-year-old retired school teacher from Manoa credits her newfound speed to the University of Hawai'i Masters Swim Club instructors, who have taught her how to maximize her strokes.

"I thought I knew how to swim, but my technique was terrible," said Ellsworth, who set two Hawai'i masters swim records in the 500- and 1650-yard freestyle events last year. "But every year, I've gotten faster. With the proper technique, you can get faster as you get older."

Large membership

Ellsworth is one of 85 members in the University of Hawai'i Masters Swim Club, which is considered one of the largest in the state. The club conducts workouts Monday through Friday at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on the UH-Månoa campus.

"We have a really high standard here," coach David Struthers said. "The coaches for the masters program are also the UH varsity swimming coaches."

Struthers said the majority of the swimmers in the club range in age from 18 to 70. Some are ex-college swimmers who are training for triathlons, or masters age-group swimmers who are preparing for national competitions, or recreational swimmers who want to stay in shape, he said.

"One of the real attractions of masters swimming is that it's a great workout," Struthers said. "It's also a very good social group."

This year, the club is offering two new programs: a technical stroke clinic and an introductory masters swimming class.

Stroke clinic

"We have an underwater video camera that we can use to get footage," Struthers said. "Swimmers can get feedback that way, as opposed to coaches telling them. When swimmers see themselves on video — above and below water — it's a great learning tool."

Struthers said swimmers who possess a strong technique can concentrate on speed rather than fighting to stay afloat in the water.

"If you watch a good swimmer, they're nice, long and stretched out, and look very natural in the water," Struthers said. "If you look at a beginner with a weaker technique, they're trying hard, but often not going anywhere."

Introductory clinic

The introductory masters swimming class is designed to teach new members about lane etiquette, pace-clock reading, basic drills and swimming jargon. The session is offered every first and third Wednesday of every month from 6 p.m to 7:15 p.m.

"I think people sometimes get intimidated when they show up to our pool and see 30 swimmers who look like they know what they are doing," Struthers said. The introductory session is "just to remove some of that intimidation."

At the very least, the club offers a place to soothe the soul. Ellsworth, who has been a member for 18 years, said swimming relaxes her.

"It's the cheapest therapy at the end of the day," Ellsworth said. "The water is very ambiotic and all your troubles just vanish. It's low impact, even if you're injured in another sport, you can still swim."