Long-time Los Alamitos resident, Ron Durkee, age 77, is a dedicated pool and open water swimmer.
He is a member of the Los Alamitos Fitness in Swimming Masters Swim Team.
For the past two years, Ron has captured first place in the Southern Pacific Masters Open water swim series in his age group.
His races include Seal Beach Rough Water 3-mile swim, Newport Beach Pier-to-Pier swim, Don Burns Corona Del Mar swim and Castaic Lake 1 and 2-mile swims, along with Naples Island 3-mile swim.
His teammates, along with the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department, awarded him “FINS 2016 Swimmer of the Year” award.
Teammate Thomas Heydorff shared that, “as a boy, Ron and his two brothers grew up in an orphanage in the San Fernando Valley. He enlisted in the Navy at age 18. Back in the 1970’s, when Ron could not find an open high school or college pool, he would get in his daily swim at a motel pool.”
Heydorff said “Ron gives back to the community and has volunteered at Race on the Base. He coached girls and boys soccer for over 20 years. He is the best of the best and sets the bar high for all his teammates.”
Swimmer Jason Scheuer said “when I see Ron I know that I have to swim my best. He is a great example of not letting his youthfulness get in the way of his swimming.”
With his good nature and humble wit, Ron shrugs off his accomplishments by declaring “all you have to do is outlive the competition.”
Teammate Sandy Fields describes him as pragmatic, dedicated and determined. “He doesn’t complain and he has that dry sense of humor. He greets everyone by name. Ron is really what every team looks for in a member.”
Los Alamitos FINS is a local master’s swim team that is open to swimmers of all abilities. The team practices at the Joint Forces Training Base, 11200 Lexington Drive in Los Alamitos. Don’t let the term “masters” scare you. They are a small, fun swim group that describe themselves as a fitness team with a social problem. The team has approximately 20 swimmers and welcomes anyone who wants to give it a try. For information, visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or call 562-430-1073.
You can even show up on the pool deck to join them for a sample practice for free. Practices are Mon-Thurs 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings 7:30 a.m.– 8:30 a.m. Most members come two to three times per week.
Be sure to say hello to Ron when you get there. All teammates agree that they strive to be just like him when they grow up.
This article appeared in the April 5, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.
