Some sage soul, possibly Rowdy Gaines, once mused, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

At this point, our hearts are to the point of bursting with pent-up fondness — and longing — for the pool. Continued and extended periods of quarantine have distanced us from the comfort of chlorine during the 'Rona’s reign, affecting all members of the swim community — athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, family and supporters alike.

We’ve missed the big moments: postponed U.S. Team Trials and Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, as well as hundreds of cancelled international, national and local age group meets.

We’ve missed the little moments: obligatory groans at early-morning practice, the communal joy of a dropped tenth, as well as hundreds of laughs, hugs, cheers and tears.

Of course, these aren’t actually the little moments. The relationships, the bonds, the empathy and the love are the true comforts of chlorine.

"My Why" is a series of candid testimonials from individuals who believe in the power of swimming. Their passion for the sport is infectious.

Aaron Norton | U.S. Masters Swimming coach & athlete | Farmington, UT
My swim journey began when I was two years old and my parents and I moved into a new house in northern Utah that happened to have a small pool in the backyard. I immediately took to the water like a fish! My parents could not keep me out of the pool. Soon we moved to southwest Wyoming where I started taking swim lessons at the age of six. In less than two years, I had passed all the various levels of swim lessons our local rec center offered. That was when I joined a local swim team, and I never looked back.

I swam competitively all through grade, middle and high school. I was Wyoming state champion for two years in the 100 butterfly, and I swam in college for the University of Utah. After college — as is the case with many lifelong swimmers — I took an extended break, nearly 15 years. I finally got back in the water with masters swimming about 10 years ago. I fell in love with the sport again, just like I started as that 2-year-old. I don’t plan on stopping. 

I swim 3-4 times per week with a local masters swim team — the South Davis Krusty Krabs in Bountiful, UT — that I have been a member of for the past eight years. We swim competitively in pools and open water. I love swimming outdoors! Utah has many, many outdoor swimming options.

Currently, I am the head coach for the Krusty Krabs. We have about 100 swimmers on our team and are a very tight, close-knit family group that welcomes new people it seems almost weekly. I serve on the Utah Local Masters Swim Committee (LMSC) in a club development role. I have been on this board for five years and have also served as the sanctions chair and LMSC chair/president. Additionally, I am the zone chair for the Northwest Zone — comprised of LMSCs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana — and also serve on the national LMSC Development Committee. 

My why is very simple: swimming makes me happy! As most swimmers know, swimming is a complete lifestyle that controls our lives, but guess what… we love it! I have found that swimming on a masters team brings me great joy in my life. My best friends are on the team, and we completely and totally watch out for each other.

When we were shut down for a few months with the pandemic, I missed swimming. I miss it when I can't get in the water for any extended period of time. I am lucky to have found something that I love that also keeps me healthy and social.

Zane Grothe | U.S. National Team swimmer | Boulder City, NV
“Why did you pick swimming?” I get asked this question a lot. For me, swimming kind of picked me. I was learning how to swim about the same time I was learning how to walk. I didn’t even know what swimming was. It was always just part of my life.

I love to swim. It has brought so much to my life. It has given me my friend circles. It has given me all kinds of core values that’ll stick with me for the rest of my life. But I think the biggest thing is it feeds my competitive nature. I just love to race, whether it’s a 50 free, the 10K or the 400 IM. You name it, I’ll get in and I’ll give it my best and I’ll race. If I’ve got any inkling that I could probably beat someone, then I’m going to challenge them, and I’m going to bring it. I love doing that. 

I’m really glad that I stuck with swimming. It has led me all over the world, and I’ve made friends all over the planet. It’s added culture to my life, it’s added friends to my life, and it’s given me incredible core values.

Fernanda Calderon | Inland Empire Aquatics swimmer (age 18) | Redlands, CA
When I was young, I remember being at one of my cousin’s competitions and asking my parents to put me in swim. I thank my cousin for introducing swimming to me because I made swim my life. I didn’t try out for any other sport because I was determined with the one.

I was fortunate to swim with Inland Empire Aquatics for nine years. I am grateful for the coaches and teammates that I get to call my family. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. Swimming has taught me the value of hard work, leadership and determination. But most importantly it has taught me to respect and love the people that have been with you from the beginning. Even though I don’t swim like I used to, I will never forget the memories that I gained through swimming.