About Montana Masters Swimming
Montana Masters Swimming welcomes adults of all abilities who like to stay active and keep showing up at the water—at its core, it's about fitness, friendship, and lifelong swimming. As part of U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS), Montana Masters is the Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC) that supports swimmers ages 18 and older by providing organized workouts, events, and resources that encourage lifelong participation in swimming. Masters swimming blends fitness, technique development, and optional competition in a welcoming and motivating environment. Many swimmers find it easier to stay consistent with their fitness goals when they are part of a structured program and supportive community; which is exactly what our clubs and work out groups provide. Across the state, two clubs and four workout groups offer organized workouts for fitness swimmers, competitive athletes, triathletes, and those looking to stay active.
Swimmers of all abilities are welcome, and previous competitive experience is not required. While some members enjoy competing in pool meets and open water events, most members primarily participate for fitness, stroke improvement, and the connections built through regular workouts. Montana Masters also hosts events such as the Montana Masters Championships (typically late winter or early spring), along with clinics and other opportunities to meet with swimmers across the region throughout the year. Montana Masters Swimming is a statewide community of adult swimmers who share a passion for staying active and enjoying the camaraderie that swimming brings—join us for a swim!
Patience through recovery. Strength in every stroke.
Back in the Water
I started swimming at age 50 to train for a triathlon. For years, I had been a runner and a bicyclist, and I wanted to try something new. I took a few private swimming lessons at the Helena YMCA and then joined their Masters group. I completed a few triathlons until I tore my meniscus and gave up running for good. However, I discovered that my true love was swimming.
After 10 years of swimming with Masters, I started having aches and pain in my right shoulder. I went to see a shoulder surgeon, and he told me I had mild arthritis and would probably need a total shoulder replacement (TSR) in the future. It has been documented that people between the ages of 50 and 64 have about a 28.8% chance of developing arthritis, with women bearing a significantly higher burden than men. In the meantime, my doctor recommended physical therapy and encouraged me to keep swimming.
“Swimming is one sport that people can continue even after a total shoulder replacement.”
Fast forward to 2025, the year I turned 69. My right shoulder was still hanging in there, but my left shoulder had pain most of the time. It too had bone-on-bone arthritis. I began researching my options and discovered that swimming is one sport many people can continue after a total shoulder replacement. My mind was made up.
I researched shoulder specialists and found a doctor in Medford, Oregon, where my sister-in-law also lives, so I decided he was the right choice for me. In January 2025, I had my left shoulder replaced. Interestingly, shoulder replacements are becoming more common — each year, approximately 53,000 people in the United States undergo some form of shoulder replacement surgery.
I got back into the water seven weeks after surgery. At first, I only swam with my right arm and did a lot of kicking. It really boosted my spirits. After about four months, I started swimming with both arms again — slowly at first — and gradually increased my distance. I also swam mostly with fins.
“Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.”
I’ve had a few setbacks since getting back into the pool. Physical therapy is an absolute must. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.
Now, a year after surgery, I am swimming three times a week with my Masters group and averaging about 2,500 yards per session. I still warm up with fins and swim mostly freestyle, with a little backstroke and breaststroke mixed in. My butterfly is still one arm at a time on each side, but I’m confident I will be able to do it in the future.
Would I do the surgery again? A resounding yes.
A total shoulder replacement doesn’t mean your swimming days are over. In fact, the experience has taught me patience, how to listen more closely to my body, and that there are still many more enjoyable moments waiting in the pool.
