Get Smart, Be Like Val Lincoln
Australian masters swimmer Val Lincoln is 86 and is getting faster in the water, both in the pool and open water.The Australia world-record holder recently lowered her 800-meter record by three seconds and won the 2K open water swim at the Australian Masters National Championships.
She commented, “I was absolutely on cloud nine because I never thought I would break a record again. I thought I wouldn’t have a hope, but I’m not stopping, I’m swimming very well this year.”
Swimming since the age of 7 and racing since the age of 14, that is 72 years of competitive swimming. “I’ve always been a water baby. I love the sea and enjoy swimming so much.”
But what may be most amazing is that she lost her sight four years ago and has hearing problems. Yet she strokes on. Because of her sensory problems, she counts the number of strokes to the wall – and counts on continuing. “When I lost my sight four years ago I just decided I wasn’t going to sit back and do nothing. I love it and if you don’t keep active you’ll just vegetate. The secret is to keep going. Don’t just stop because you get a bit older. I won’t stop until I can’t swim anymore.”
Amazing. Impressive. Inspirational.
Note on title of article: Agent 86 was the principal character of the American television series Get Smart.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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