Swimming – For Lifelong fitness and wellness
Masters Swimming is a great excuse to get out of the house and do something good for yourself. The concept of Masters swimming began in the 1970s and has members in the dozens of countries from all corners of the globe. And don’t let the name fool you! Members of Masters swimming make up all levels of ability and speed. Whether you have just learned to swim or have been a lifelong participant, Masters swimming is for you!
Triathlons and Long Distance Swimming are increasingly popular as well. We have trained athletes to swim proficiently in their first triathlon, as well as several established Ironman competitors (including the 2014 silver medalist). In 2016, we helped train Ben Kanute toward a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in the triathlon and finished the swim portion in the top 15. In 2017, we qualified an athlete to qualification for the 2018 Ironman World Championship in the 65-69 age group! Several professional triathletes who have won medals at the Ironman world championship have also trained with us through the years.
Why is swimming becoming such a popular sport? As people get older, swimming is one of the few sports that can be continued throughout a person’s entire life.
The benefits of swimming are documented. One of the most important aspects is that it is a non-weight bearing sport. Other benefits include:
- Reduction of physical and mental stress
- Weight loss and control
- Strengthens the heart and improves circulation
- Improvement of overall quality of life by helping people stay in good physical condition year-round
- Eases stress on joints and is therefore an ideal exercise for people with physical disabilities
Masters and Long Distance Swimming is a sport for both non-competitive (fitness) swimmers and competitive swimmers. Many swimmers get into the sport because it offers organized workouts and can offer a strong social component. For those that choose to compete, swimmers compete in their own age group by five-year age divisions. Swimmers can begin Masters at age 18 in the United States (age 25 in other countries), and the oldest Masters are nearly 100 years old. Workouts are divided by speed and ability, and swimmers can be challenged to their own personal preference. Masters Swimming has grown from a handful of interested adult swimmers to thousands who compete at regional, national and international levels.
Dolphins of the Desert Masters placed second in the “large team” division at the 2024 Arizona Masters short course championships!
The team also competed at the 2023 U.S. Masters Swimming championships. Five athletes won medals with top-10 finishes, and our mixed medley relay finished fifth in the 35+ age group!
Dolphins of the Desert Masters is a U.S. Masters Swimming “Gold Club,” one of two such clubs in southern Arizona!
Effective January 1, 2023, all participants in Dolphins of the Desert workouts must have a current membership with U.S. Masters Swimming. This includes all drop-in visiting swimmers. Click here to register with USMS.
At this time, Dolphins of the Desert Masters workouts are at capacity, and we are not allowing new members. All prospective members will be put on a waitlist by contacting head coach Jeff Commings at the email address below. Drop-in swimmers are still welcome.
A three-month commitment is required for all new members of Dolphins of the Desert Masters. No cancellations or membership freezing in those three months without a valid reason.
You do not need to be a member of the La Paloma Country Club to participate in Masters workouts. And, you don’t have to worry about how “slow” you are or how far you can swim. There’s a lane for you at Dolphins of the Desert Masters! The only requirement is that you can swim 25 yards (one length of a standard lap pool) nonstop and unassisted, using one of the four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, or breaststroke. We’ll take it from there! If you have questions about your ability, contact head coach Jeff Commings at the email below.
La Paloma Country Club, 3666 E Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718
Monday – 6:00 – 7:00 am
Tuesday – 6:30–7:30 pm
Wednesday – 6:00 – 7:00 am
Thursday – 6:30–7:30 pm
Friday – 6:00–7:00 am
Saturday – 7:00 – 8:00 am
Click here for a map
***If you can’t fit our swim training sessions into your schedule, consider becoming a part of our E-WORKOUT program!***
See table below for pricing. Swimmers can also pay a $16 drop-in fee per workout. This applies ONLY to out-of-town visitors and for Tucson residents who want to swim once as a “trial workout.” We do not accept drop-in payments for those looking for a “pay-as-you-swim” option as a regular member. Please contact head coach Jeff Commings at commingsjeff@gmail.com before your first workout.
Guests of the Westin La Paloma are invited to participate in our Masters workouts at no additional charge.
Questions? Contact head coach Jeff Commings at 520-891-8923 or send an email to commingsjeff@gmail.com.
To learn more about Masters Swimming, check out the following links on the worldwide web.
- www.usms.org (national governing body for Masters Swimming)
- www.fina.org (worldwide governing body for Swimming and Masters Swimming)
- www.azlmsc.org (Arizona Masters Swimming regional website)
For ALL swim practices, you should have the following equipment. Pool facilities are not obliged to provide equipment for your swim practice and often do not have adequate or appropriate equipment for your practice needs.
- Goggles – clear or light colored for nighttime swimming and darker goggles for daytime swimming
- Swimming Cap – silicone is best
- Swimming Suit
- (Optional) Hand Paddles
- (Optional) Fins
Are there tryouts?
No. If you think you might have problems or need some help to get a jump start for Masters workouts, schedule one swimming lesson with Jeff Commings or Geoff Glaser through this SCHEDULE LESSONS link.
Want to join Masters? Follow these steps:
- Note: Dolphins of the Desert Masters is currently at capacity, and interested persons will be placed on a waitlist. To be added to the team’s waitlist, send an e-mail to: commingsjeff@gmail.com.
the following information: your address including zip code; your phone numbers; your preferred e-mail address for e-billing; the month you would like to begin practices.
- Read our general policies document.
Dolphins of the Desert strives to create a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all of our athletes. Please review our code of conduct for more information.