8-21-21: This week on The Rise & Thrive OSJ Radio Hour, Saturday morning at 9:05AM on KZLS The Eagle 1640AM.

Janet Latham

​I was encouraged to learn to swim at a young age. I swam for Kerr Mc Gee Swim Club at age 13 and continued swimming in High School. I became a Master’s swimmer in 1983. I have been swimming competitively ever since. I look forward to the OK Senior Games each year. I usually compete in just swimming but last year OK Senior Games offered water walking for the first time and I competed in it too.

Why I swim – 

​a. I swim because it helps keep me in shape and it’s a great cardio workout. I enjoy meeting other swimmers and encourage others to keep swimming. I am the President of our local OKMS swimming group. We have a web address of okswim.org   We list swim meets and open water events. Anyone can join our group and compete in swim meets. The national organization USMS (United States Masters Swimming) has over 40,000 members. They offer learn to swim programs, national swim meets and coaching certifications.

More pools are needed in the OKC area

​b. I believe we need more pools in the OKC area. Since the closing of OCCC many high school teams are having trouble finding places to swim. I wish everyone would take a class and learn how to swim. It is so important.

Places to swim in the OKC area and the different programs they offer

​In the summer I love working out at WestwoodFamily Aquatic Center. It is a 50 meter outdoor pool. They also have a morning program of toddler time, water fitness, water walking and lap swimming. In the winter I work out at Rose State College aquatic facility. Rose State offers aquatic fitness, H20 Strength training, and beginning swimming. Anyone can sign up for these classes. Many of the YMCA’s offer lap swim times. Mitch Park YMCA in Edmond is a wonderful facility that has two pools and many classes.

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Kathy Keffer-Sharpe

I have been swimming with the Oklahoma Masters Swim Club since 1982 when I moved to Oklahoma City. I’ve been swimming in the Oklahoma Senior Games since 2017  You will have to ask her about her other hobbies to better introduce her.

What Masters Swimming is all about – This is one place you can meet people from all walks of life with one thing in common, swimming. Every individual is on their own level of competition weather they are new to the sport or a seasoned swimmer and have been swimming since they were in high school.

One of the great things that the Masters Swimming origination does for people is host a learn to swim program every year during the month of July. This gives individuals who have never swam before the opportunity to do just that, learn to swim.

Why I am a long distance swimmer and why I swim all the strokes. –I am a long distance swimmer as well as a backstroker. I can swim all 4 different strokes and have from time to time but my favorite are the backstroke and the 800 or 1500. I enjoy the way I feel after a good workout. I normally swim 3 to 4 times a week and sometimes more depending on my schedule.

How my full knee replacement will affect my swimming – I recently had a full knee replacement on July 21st and can notwait to get back in the water again. Swimming prior to my surgery has allowed my recovery to advance quit smoothly.

Where people can swim in the OKC area – There are several places around the OKC area where you can swim both indoors and out. All the YMCA’s have pools and some of the aquatic centers and even the Colleges have available times for the public.

Information about the Oklahoma Senior Games – No matter what your activity level is, join the Oklahoma Senior Games. You will make new friendships, see old friends and enjoy the camaraderie of the competition.

Information about the Oklahoma Senior Games