November Featured Honoree: Pete Desjardins (USA) and his Memorabilia
Each month ISHOF will feature an Honoree and some of their aquatic memorabilia, that they have so graciously either given or loaned to us. Since we are closed, and everything is in storage, we wanted to still be able to highlight some of the amazing artifacts that ISHOF has and to be able to share these items with you.(USA) and his Memorabilia.
We continue in November 2025, with 1966 ISHOF Honoree, Pete Desjardins (USA) Honor Diver. Pete donated many fabulous things to ISHOF, and we want to share some of them with you now. Also below is his ISHOF Honoree bio that was written the year he was inducted.
Pete wore this suit when he competed and won the Silver Medal at the 1924 Olympics
Transition from Olympian to Entrepreneur – ISHOF Honoree Lenny Krayzelburg – with Greg McDonough “The Chief Endurance Officer” – Episode # 130
October 10, 2025
How do you carry the endurance mindset from sports into business and life? In this episode, host Greg McDonough sits down with four-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer and entrepreneur Lenny Krayzelburg to explore how lessons from the pool translate into success beyond athletics. From growing up in the Soviet Union to immigrating to the U.S., achieving Olympic glory, and building businesses that impact communities, Lenny shares how perseverance, preparation, and trusting your instincts can shape both personal and professional growth. Along the way, Lenny offers advice on goal-setting, maintaining optimism, and building a supportive network while reflecting candidly on the challenges of youth sports and parental pressure.
Takeaways:
Trust your instincts and learn from mistakes. Ignoring your gut can often lead to missed opportunities.
Focus on short-term, achievable goals to build confidence and momentum toward larger ambitions.
Draw strength from formative life experiences, using them to shape resilience and perspective in your leadership.
Plan ahead for transitions by building strong relationships and leveraging your network for guidance.
Invest in teaching goal-setting and resilience early, whether with your team or the next generation.
Create community-driven initiatives that align wellness, purpose, and business impact for long-term growth.
Quote of the Show:
” I might have a vision, but if I don’t treat people the right way, or establish the right culture, they’re not gonna be able to execute the vision and the mission that we have as an organization .” – Lenny Krayzelburg
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennykrayzelburg/
Company website: https://www.swimrightacademy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lennyk4g/?hl=en
Oceanman Website: https://oceanmanswim.com/
Email: lenny@oceanmanswim.com
Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/580aLDKac1ld031W4nWDtp
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-endurance-officer/id1680214218?uo=4
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2NoaWVmLWVuZHVyYW5jZS1vZmZpY2Vy
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c96880f-8dcd-4a6e-b1c8-fda816f872a9
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4340732
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/5897357
Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3462719
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-5250102
Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-ringmaster-KMdv2I8XwkN/
2011 Honor Swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg. Read his bio below.
Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Details Partnership with ISHOF Honoree Dara Torres, Boston College
by Matthew De George – Senior Writer
19 October 2025
Celtics All-Star forward Jaylen Brown incorporated an aquatic regimen to his offseason this year, working with Boston College coach Dara Torres.
Brown discussed the training during a recent interview with NBC Sports Boston on the Celtics preseason media day.
Celtics athletic trainer Drew Moore reached out to BC to see if someone on Torres’ staff would be interested in helping one of their players. It turned out to be Brown, the four-time All-Star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
Torres, a 12-time Olympic medalist about to start her second season as the head coach of the Eagles’ men’s and women’s teams, volunteered. She worked first with Brown in a therapy pool at the Celtics’ Auerbach Center team complex before relocating to BC’s Margot Connell Recreation Center pool about two miles away.
Brown went from a couple of workouts with Torres and assistant coach Chris Morgan to several weeks of multiple days of training.
“Just to perfect my form in the water,” Brown said. “Try to master your efficiency, no wasted movement. I feel like the better swimmer you are is an analogy to life. You don’t want no wasted movement, no drag, no extra. You want to just be able to get from Point A to Point B as easy as possible.”
Brown, who turns 29 this month, stands 6-6 and 223 pounds. He’s been remarkably durable in his NBA career since the Celtics took him No. 3 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Cal, playing in at least 57 games in all nine of his pro seasons, though he was recovering this summer from surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his knee.
He averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 63 games last season, perhaps somewhat hampered by the meniscus. He has averaged 19.3 points in 135 career playoff games, winning an NBA title in 2024.
He and Torres worked on learning new techniques with apparatuses like fins and snorkels. Torres was impressed by his aerobic capacity to start with as well as his attention to detail. Brown had a fixation on making sure he was improving his technique in each workout.
“He could see the mistakes that he made at the beginning, and then the corrections that he made afterwards,” Torres said. “You can see how much more efficient he was as he made those changes.”
Video of Brown’s training and his interview is available at NBC Sports Boston.
Every Child A Swimmer Continuing to Grow – New York added ~ California up next!
Creating a Unified National Message: Together We’re Turning Awareness into ActionDrowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4—and it is entirelypreventable. The Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) program is changing that reality by advancinglegislation nationwide that gives parents the life-saving knowledge they need to keep childrensafe in and around water.
Originally passed in Florida in 2021, the Every Child a Swimmer law requires that parents orguardians receive water safety information at the time of school enrollment. This simpleapproach ensures families are educated about risk factors associated with drowning, theimportance of swim lessons, and where to find local resources. By turning schools into trustedmessengers for prevention, this legislation helps close the awareness gap that too often leadsto tragedy.
Since its passage in Florida, the ECAS model has gained extraordinary momentum. Georgia,Arkansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington State, and now New York and California have allenacted or adopted versions of the Every Child a Swimmer legislation. Each new law representsanother life-saving victory—and another step toward creating a generation of safer, strongerswimmers.
A Milestone Moment in New YorkOn September 26, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed New York’s “Every Child a Swimmer” billinto law, making the state the latest to join this vital movement. Beginning in the 2026–2027school year, every New York school will provide parents with water safety information atenrollment—an initiative expected to reach millions of families statewide.
“This is a monumental victory for every child and family in New York,” said Brendan O’Melveny,Founder of the New York Water Safety Coalition, the group that championed the bill. “We’reproud that New York has become one of the first states to join this national effort to protectour children.”
Casey McGovern, Executive Director of the Every Child a Swimmer Foundation, shared heartfeltgratitude for the collaboration that made the law possible: “Drowning is preventable, and thislaw is a powerful step forward in educating parents about the risk factors and providing themwith the knowledge to keep their children safe. Together, we are changing the narrative andbuilding a generation of safer, stronger swimmers.”
Legislative sponsors Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelynwere also recognized for their leadership in championing this life-saving measure. SenatorCleare noted that the law “will be empowering in many ways, including by addressing the greatinequity in drowning incidents that disproportionately affects Black children, youth, andadults.”
The growing success of Every Child a Swimmer reflects the power of unity—among publicofficials, nonprofits, advocates, aquatics industry, and the pool industry—working togethertoward a shared purpose. As McGovern emphasizes, “This is about accountability, equity, andimpact—ensuring all families, regardless of circumstance, have access to life-saving educationand resources.”
As California prepares to implement its newly signed version of the bill, ECAS and its partnersremain committed to one goal: expanding this legislation across all 50 states.We are deeply grateful to every community partner helping us create a unified message ofprevention, education, and hope—because every child deserves the chance to be a swimmer.
Dive Into Purpose: Local Leaders Unite Philanthropy, Health, and Water Safety at ISHOF
On November 18th, the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will host Dive Into Purpose — an evening that brings together leading voices in philanthropy, health, and education for a powerful roundtable conversation on giving with impact.
Presented by Fiduciary Trust International (FTI), the event will feature leaders from the Dan Marino Foundation, Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS), the Community Foundation of Broward, and the Autism Society of Florida. Together, they’ll explore how collaboration across causes like autism support, children’s health, and water safety can create meaningful, lasting change.
Set against the backdrop of ISHOF’s signature Dive Show, and attended by many of South Florida’s most engaged philanthropists, Dive Into Purpose will highlight how partnerships between nonprofits, community leaders, and the private sector can inspire generosity and strengthen our community.
“This evening is about bringing people together who care deeply about making a difference — and showing what happens when we align philanthropy with purpose,” said Matt McKean, Wealth Director at Fiduciary Trust International and event moderator. “It’s an opportunity to spark ideas, connect changemakers, and inspire a culture of giving.”
“We’re honored to host this event at ISHOF, which sits at the heart of our community’s legacy in swimming and water safety,” said Amy Cumming, Executive Director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. “By joining forces with organizations like the Dan Marino Foundation and ECAS, we can extend that mission to reach even more families.”
The Olympic Showdown Of Matt Biondi and Tom Jager in Inaugural 50 Freestyle (Video)
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Olympic Showdown Of Matt Biondi and Tom Jager in Inaugural 50 Freestyle
There is something special about being identified as the fastest person on the planet in a specific endeavor. Usain Bolt, the Jamaican track legend, holds the distinction on land. In the water, the honor currently belongs to Brazilian Cesar Cielo.
From the mid-1980s into the early 1990s, there was no doubt about the fastest men in the pool. Outside of one another, the United States’ Matt Biondi and Tom Jager had no peers. Instead, they volleyed ownership of the 50-meter freestyle back and forth. During that timeframe, they combined for nine world records (six for Jager) and took the record in the one-lap sprint from 22.40 to 21.81.
They battled at the World Championships and at Nationals on several occasions, but it was their showdown at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul that defined their rivalry. With the event on the Olympic program for the first time, Biondi and Jager each had the chance to make history. Ultimately, it was Biondi who stood on the top step of the podium.
Although Jager was the reigning world champion, having defeated Biondi in 1986 in Madrid, there was little separating the Americans as they prepared to race. An argument could be made, however, that Biondi had greater momentum based on his march toward seven medals (five gold) in Seoul.
Off the blocks in Seoul, Biondi and Jager were deadlocked, and found themselves in a showdown when they hit the midway point. But as the race unfolded, Biondi was strongest down the stretch and touched in a world-record time of 22.14. That performance sliced .04 off the previous standard, the 22.18 produced by South African Peter Williams earlier in the year. Williams was ineligible to compete at the Seoul Games due to the International Olympic Committee’s ban of his nation due to its apartheid practices. That ban was lifted ahead of the 1992 Olympics.
Jager, who went on to retain his world title in 1991, picked up the silver medal in 22.36, with the Soviet Union’s Gennadiy Prigoda the bronze medalist in 22.71. At the touch, Biondi looked to the scoreboard and unleashed a wild celebration that included several fist pumps and splashes. It was clear the triumph was long desired.
“The 50 free was it for me,” Biondi said during a past interview with Swimming World. “I have a picture of my reaction and it was the most jubilant I’d ever been. It was a world record. That swim made it for me.”
Happy (Official) Columbus Day!!
Photo Credit Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images
Article by: British Swim School
October 13 is the official anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.
And this day would not have happened if Columbus had not known how to swim…
Columbus went to sea when he was about 10 but the first voyage he made into the Atlantic Ocean was in 1476 when he was 25 years old. The ship he was on was attacked by French privateers who set the ship on fire. Columbus escaped by jumping overboard and swimming to the coast of Portugal. Privateers were sailors whose government gave them permission to attack merchant ships, sort of like pirates but acting with the okay of their government. Having gotten safely to Portugal, Columbus settled there and married a Portuguese woman. However, when he suggested the idea of sailing west to find a route to the East Indies, the Portuguese king and queen were not impressed. Neither were the rulers in Genoa or Venice. Finally, he was able to persuade the king and queen of Spain to give him the money to buy three ships. And the rest is history….
But to get back to the swimming. Some people in the 1400’s could, and did, swim but many did not including many sailors. Columbus had grown up by the sea so he probably had plenty of opportunities to learn how to swim and he must have been a strong swimmer. The distance from his ship to the shore must have been daunting.
So if Columbus had not known how to swim, October 12 would be just another day.We hope you never have to jump off a burning ship but knowing how to swim can be life saving even if you are not under attack by privateers. Who knows what events might be possible if you learn how to swim?
Say what you want about Christopher Columbus, but at least he knew how to swim.
Every Child a Swimmer: Creating a Generation of Swimmers
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, yet it is entirely preventable. Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) is committed to changing that. Our mission is simple but powerful: to ensure that every child, regardless of financial means, has access to life-saving swim lessons and water safety education.
Through our learn-to-swim scholarship program, we provide 12–20 professional lessons in small class sizes, ensuring measurable progress with every session. These lessons don’t just teach the basics of swimming, they build confidence, instill lifelong safety skills, and create a ripple effect that protects entire families and communities. In 2024 alone, ECAS awarded more than $587,000 in scholarships, giving 2,135 children the skills to survive and thrive in the water. We also work closely with caregivers to stress the importance of continued swim education, and many of our partner schools provide free swim time to scholarship recipients so they can strengthen their skills in a safe environment.
But our impact doesn’t stop at the pool. ECAS is also driving change through legislation. We have successfully passed water safety education laws in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Arizona—with New York and California currently awaiting gubernatorial signatures. These laws require schools to share vital water safety information with parents and connect families to local swim resources—helping us reach more communities than ever before. Together, we are creating a generation of swimmers, ensuring that children grow up not just near the water, but safe around it.
How You Can Get Involved
Everyone can play a part in saving lives:
Be an Ambassador: Share the ECAS mission with your network.
Host a Fundraiser: From 5Ks and golf outings to movie nights, your creativity fuels our mission.
Spread Awareness: Start the conversation—because you never know when it could save a life.
Sponsor a Child:
Together, we can make sure that until every child can swim, our mission isn’t finished.
Learn more at everychildaswimmer.orgFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @Every Child a Swimmer
October Featured Honoree: Tsuyoshi Yamanaka (JPN) and his Memorabilia
Photo of Tsuyoshi Yamanaka doing his handprints at his induction in 1983
Each month ISHOF will feature an Honoree and some of their aquatic memorabilia, that they have so graciously either given or loaned to us. Since we are closed, and everything is in storage, we wanted to still be able to highlight some of the amazing artifacts that ISHOF has and to be able to share these items with you.
We continue in October 2025, with 1983 ISHOF Honoree, Tsuyoshi Yamanaka (JPN) Honor Swimmer. Tsuyoshi, donated many fabulous things to ISHOF, and we want to share some of them with you now. Also below is his ISHOF Honoree bio that was written the year he was inducted.
1964 Japan Olympic Team Blazer
Tsuyoshi Yamanaka Diploma
ISHOF Honoree Rebecca Adlington ‘Cautiously Overjoyed’ As She Announces Pregnancy
by Liz Byrnes – Europe Correspondent
24 September 2025
Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington is “cautiously overjoyed” as she reveals news of her pregnancy following two miscarriages.
Adlington shares son Albie, two, with husband Andy Parsons and daughter Summer, 10, with ex-husband and former swimmer Harry Needs and described her pregnancy as a “small miracle” in a social media post.
Adlington lost a baby at 12 weeks in 2022 and suffered a second miscarriage at 20 weeks a year later after which she gave birth to her daughter Harper two days after being told there was no heartbeat.
The 36-year-old posted a picture of her scan to social media with a post that read: “We want to share that we are expecting a child. It has been an emotional and physical rollercoaster navigating these past 19 months of trying, but this pregnancy has been a small miracle.
“We questioned whether we wanted to share this news but we want to continue to be open and honest about our journey and be mindful of the struggles that others have had and continue to have.
“We are taking each day as it comes and are incredibly grateful for the care we are receiving from the NHS (Rainbow Team) and are feeling overwhelmingly supported by them.
“While we are cautiously overjoyed, we carry awareness of the quiet struggles many face, and we send love to those hearts too. We know so many people are still waiting for this kind of news.”
Adlington was the gold medalist in the 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.