By Kyle Stowe
Murphy News

For retired custodial worker Walter Johnson, waking up at 4:30 a.m. isn’t a problem when he’s headed to the pool.

“It’s really easy to come to [swim practice] because it’s something so refreshing and fun to do,” he said. “It gets me excited.”

The 59-year-old Johnson and dozens of other swimmers from around the metro swim laps six days a week at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center as a part of the Twin Cities Swim Team masters program.

Open to swimmers of all ages, the masters team caters to swimmers of many different skill levels and abilities. Swimmers use the team as a way to prepare for triathlons, meets or to simply swim for fun.

“People come to the masters team for many different reasons,” schoolteacher and masters team member Molly Belk said. “And that’s what makes it so unique.”

Belk said she enjoys the masters team because it gives her a chance to interact and workout with people that all share a passion for the sport swimming. She said the level of dedication swimmers demonstrate on the team pushes her to come to practice even on days when she doesn’t feel motivated to wake up.

“We like to work hard and have fun and be silly before we go to work,” she said. “It’s a really great atmosphere to be a part of.”

Masters team assistant coach Jessica Stevenson said there are several benefits for people that choose to come together to swim as a part of a team rather than swim each morning on their own.

She said she’s impressed with the way team members push and challenge each other to become better swimmers everyday.

“They’re making the choice…to come and be a part of a team,” she said. “It’s a great way for swimmers to get support and encouragement that they can’t get by working out on their own.”

Johnson said the masters team helped him improve his stroke technique and become a faster swimmer. He said he hopes to remain on the team for many years to come.

“I’m going to keep coming as long as my body will let me,” he said. “It’s a special opportunity.”