SCW Masters Swimming
The first swim program in Sun City West was water ballet. It was promoted by Del Webb. A few years later Lois McDonald, a retired boy’s high school swim coach, formed the first master’s swim program. It began with a handful of swimmers who wanted to compete and become better swimmers. When Lois could no longer coach, members of the team obtained their certification, and began creating workouts for everyone. Team members heard about Lee Howard and his coaching career at Southern Oregon, they approached him and that began the final leg of his career with the Sun City West Master Swimmers club. Then in 2019, the team was added to the Sportsman’s Club group roster, which has helped to provide consistent training, pool time and promotion of the swim club program. In 2021 Barb Sloan began coaching with Lee Howard on deck. In October of 2022 Coach Lee Howard retired and the team is solely coached by Coach Barb Sloan.
Practices are every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7-8:30 at RH Johnson pool. Coached swims are Monday from 7:00am to 8:00am at Palm Ridge.
Sometimes, a group of people will come together in a very special way. It’s a camaraderie and attitude that is shared with each other. It’s a team spirit. It’s cheering for each other’s accomplishments and holding each other accountable by committing to practice and respecting and supporting each other’s abilities.
Snowbirds leave for the summer, and the team thins out, but practice is still held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 7-8:30 am at the RH Johnson pool.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Group Leader is Gynt Clifford. Currently, please contact Donna Howard at 541-604-6284 for additional swim team information or email scwswimming@gmail.com.
Adult Learn to Swim
Coach Barb Sloan is a USMS Certified ALTS Instructor. Her certification has created a whole new opportunity for Sun City West residents. The first Adult Learn to Swim class was a huge success!
Class size is 10. You must register in advance and plan to attend all 8 classes. Please email Barb Sloan SCWswimming@gmail.com
For Questions Contact Coach Barb at 623-687-6471
2023 Events
In April of 2023 3 swimmers from Sun City West Masters Swimming qualified for and competed in the National Swim Meet in Irvine California. Gynt Clifford on the left beat her seed time in all 5 of her events. Liz Scott on the far right swim a total of 3450 yards in her 5 events by swimming the 1650, the 1000 and the 500 to name a few. Beck Ettien beat her seed times in all 5 events with a stunning 8 second drop in the 400 IM. A big congratulations to these amazing women.
Four swimmers from Sun City West went to Las Cruces New Mexico June 8 & 9th to compete in the 2023 New Mexico Senior Olympics. From left to right Mary Mann, Liz Scott, Gynt Clifford, and Barb Gullingsrud. Congratulations to these amazing women representing Sun City West. They came home with big smiles after earning 19 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 2 bronze.
