Since 1971
In the beginning… there was the ocean at Waikīkī. Then in 1970, Jim Cotton put on the first rather primitive Waikīkī Roughwater Swim–about 35 local swimmers showed up. This led to the second roughwater swim, and around 100 people attended. The fast growth indicated that this was an event whose time had come. Jim sent out a proposal to form a beach swimming club to all who participated in the second swim, and voila: the Waikīkī Swim Club (WSC) was born. You can see the original members list pdf). Natalie Naugle Mahoney and Bobbie Jennings, both still with us at this writing (2012), were major contributors to the start-up with their energy and public relations skills. Jim Welch was the “poster adult” of the Club with his fast times, good looks, personality, and leadership. He became President after Cotton. By 1972/73, the Maui Channel Swim and a long course pool meet were added, making Labor Day Weekend a tri-event for the many robust Californians who reveled in the idea of coming to Hawaii for massive amounts of swimming.
WSC’s energy and resonance with the public was based on the principle of “Lifetime Vigorous Swimming for Fun, Sport, and Health.” The traditional 2K swim at Ala Moana was established when the Club installed two spar buoys along the course. For 15 years, rain or shine, the club has been there every Saturday morning. In 1972, WSC initiated a program for Masters pool meets, and the first contingent of Hawaiian Masters journeyed to the national meet in San Mateo under the WSC banner. Bylaws were drawn up in 1974, and while the Club remained a sponsor, the operation of the Roughwater Swim was turned over to the City & County of Honolulu.
By 1976, there were two registered master swim clubs in Hawai’i. In an effort to send one unified relay team to Nationals, the club supported the idea of forming a special affiliation so that all Hawaiian swimmers could compete together regardless of their club membership. With 10 years of foresight, the name chosen was our state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. To this day, WSC continues the tradition of hosting Masters meets, and most swimmers continue to be registered under the “Humu” banner. The unifying spirit and the special recognition that the Humu name brought to Hawaiian Masters swimming endeared the fish that “grunts like a pig” to the hearts of many WSC members, and soon it became the “uno”fish”al mascot of the Club.
Through the many talents and ambitions of its members, Waikiki Swim Club has been instrumental in establishing new and unusual sporting events, such as the original Ironman, Oahu’s first biathlon (now renamed the Magic Island Biathlon), and the Humu relays, the nation’s first postal meet. The club also founded the Rabbit Island Swim, the North Shore Challenge, Kailua-Popoi’a Swim, The January 1st Pro Swim, and continues its support of the Maui Channel Relays. Along with an annual awards banquet and several social events, Waikiki Swim Club remains a vital force in adult swimming.
–WSC History recounted by Jim Cotton and Andrea Woods
Founding Members:
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Founded Date:
1971