Comments on: From Olympics to Sea Devils, Tinkham Shines http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:06:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dan http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/comment-page-1/#comment-13277 Dan Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:01:17 +0000 http://reachforthewall.com/?p=2877#comment-13277 My parents were visionaries and signed up at the NVAC right after it opened. My brothers and I took swim lessons from Stan’s staff and we used to see him there all the time fiddling around with the chlorine, pumps, and filters. I’m still swimming, thanks Stan! Too bad about the steel roof. My parents were visionaries and signed up at the NVAC right after it opened. My brothers and I took swim lessons from Stan’s staff and we used to see him there all the time fiddling around with the chlorine, pumps, and filters. I’m still swimming, thanks Stan! Too bad about the steel roof.

]]> By: Dean Collins http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/comment-page-1/#comment-9003 Dean Collins Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:25:32 +0000 http://reachforthewall.com/?p=2877#comment-9003 I spent close to 6 years at NVAC swimming for Stan. I wonder if he still all the team trophies that lined the upper walls of the lobby. I can still see Stan pacing the sides of the pool with his black stick that resembled a bull whip. "Head high, chest high, elbows high". Saturday morning practices out at Haines point. "Kick a mile, pull a mile, swim a mile" for warm ups, then onto the sprints. I spent close to 6 years at NVAC swimming for Stan. I wonder if he still all the team trophies that lined the upper walls of the lobby. I can still see Stan pacing the sides of the pool with his black stick that resembled a bull whip. “Head high, chest high, elbows high”. Saturday morning practices out at Haines point. “Kick a mile, pull a mile, swim a mile” for warm ups, then onto the sprints.

]]> By: Jerry Perkins http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/comment-page-1/#comment-2469 Jerry Perkins Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:23:18 +0000 http://reachforthewall.com/?p=2877#comment-2469 It's great to see that Stan is still teaching the joy of swimming to new generations. I swam for Stan at NVAC in the early 60's and also worked for him as a lifeguard. The lessons I learned are still being put to use as a master's swimmer nearly 50 years later. It’s great to see that Stan is still teaching the joy of swimming to new generations. I swam for Stan at NVAC in the early 60′s and also worked for him as a lifeguard. The lessons I learned are still being put to use as a master’s swimmer nearly 50 years later.

]]> By: Margaret Connor http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/comment-page-1/#comment-2045 Margaret Connor Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:22:58 +0000 http://reachforthewall.com/?p=2877#comment-2045 Stan Tinkham is the most humble, caring, funny man I've ever known. He was my age group coach at NVAC. Fast forward many years I feel blessed enough to swim with him once a week with his Masters group. Thank you for this beautiful story of a man who has changed countless lives for the better. He simply makes your day a better one. Stan Tinkham is the most humble, caring, funny man I’ve ever known. He was my age group coach at NVAC. Fast forward many years I feel blessed enough to swim with him once a week with his Masters group.

Thank you for this beautiful story of a man who has changed countless lives for the better. He simply makes your day a better one.

]]> By: Bob http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/comment-page-1/#comment-2038 Bob Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:02:48 +0000 http://reachforthewall.com/?p=2877#comment-2038 The first ever DC area Masters Meet (AAU) was held in the NVAC pool in May, 1972. I'm sure Stan had a hand in that. Some of his swimmers from the '56 games swam for DC Masters in the mid 70's. Glad and amazed to see he is still coaching. The first ever DC area Masters Meet (AAU) was held in the NVAC pool in May, 1972. I’m sure Stan had a hand in that. Some of his swimmers from the ’56 games swam for DC Masters in the mid 70′s. Glad and amazed to see he is still coaching.

]]> By: Speed is all I wear http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/comment-page-1/#comment-2036 Speed is all I wear Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:43:34 +0000 http://reachforthewall.com/?p=2877#comment-2036 Great Story! Great Story!

]]> By: Jack http://reachforthewall.com/2009/10/13/from-the-olympics-to-sea-devil-swimming-tinkham-shines/comment-page-1/#comment-2034 Jack Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:32:37 +0000 http://reachforthewall.com/?p=2877#comment-2034 "You gotta wanna" was the saying my sisters always remembered from swimming for him at NVAC in the 70's. I was too young for his group at the time, but I know he is an outstanding coach and symbol of excellence for swimming in this area. It's good to hear he is still going strong. “You gotta wanna” was the saying my sisters always remembered from swimming for him at NVAC in the 70′s. I was too young for his group at the time, but I know he is an outstanding coach and symbol of excellence for swimming in this area. It’s good to hear he is still going strong.

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