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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JUNE 2017 17 By Dick Roppé, Resident There was Johnny Weissmuller in the 1920s, Buster Crabbe in 1932, Mark Spitz in 1972 and Michael Phelps in 2000, 04, 08, 12 and 2016. Now we have long-time Solera resident and championship swimmer, Bill Coles. Bill started swimming competitively at the age of six. He swam 4 years in high school and one year as a sophomore at University of Iowa. While at Iowa he enjoyed the rigorous training and having his endurance levels pushed. He continued swimming until he was 24. It wasn't until 50 years later when he moved to Solera and met former resident Fred Hoppe that, at the age of 74, Bill dove back into competitive swimming. Fred mentored Bill and thus a legend was born. Let's move ahead to April of this year when Bill participated in the 2017 Nationwide U.S. Masters Swimming Spring Nationals meet that was held in Riverside with over 3000 participants. Check this out… Bill won: 1 gold - 200 yard backstroke; 2 silver -100 yard breaststroke and 200 yard medley relay; 3 bronze- 50 yard backstroke, 100 yard backstroke and 200 yard breaststroke. Not too shabby for a guy of 81! A workout week generally consists of two swim days (each day with an hour in the water) and 2 gym days. No matter how Bill schedules his workouts, he takes a recovery day in between. Splish, splash- Bill admits he loves the competition and gets a little cranky if he can't take to the water. He also admits that there is a lot of good-natured trash talking among swimmers. I asked Bill if I could get a picture of him with all his medals. When I first saw the display I was afraid the wall might collapse. Bill also pays it forward. Before a recent (local) OLDlympics, Bill mentored and coached Soleran Berkie Harris. And guess what? Berkie won 2 gold medals! To answer the question- yes, Bill wears Jammers and Speedo goggles… GO BILL, GO! Soleran Bill Coles Takes A Dive At the Lodge, Bill shares the medals he won at the April meet (photo by Ron Hunkin)

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