Imagine being 75 years old and swimming on your back as hard as you can for 200 meters, trying to beat other master swimmers who’ve also trained hard for this event. Imagine your satisfaction when you win the race, setting a New England record for this event in the 75-79 age group.
Now imagine that you win four other races at the New England meters championship held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, setting New England records in each event: the 50 backstroke, 50 butterfly, 100 individual medley and 100 freestyle.
Finally, imagine that this meet has been your first competitive meet in over four years because you’ve had a few “minor” health issues to deal with — namely cancer or, more accurately two forms of cancer: metastasized bladder cancer and lymphoma.
Brunswick resident David Vail thought his competitive swim days were over when he received the cancer diagnoses. But he received excellent treatment from New England Cancer Specialists in Topsham, his neurologist Michael Curtis and two specialists at Dana Farber Institute in Boston. He says that he also benefitted from the unwavering support of his wife June throughout the process.
He began feeling his competitive self this past July. “I hadn’t competed in several years, but since I turned 75 this year, I wondered how I might do in the 75-79 age group.”
(Incidentally, I had approached David about writing a piece about him before the New England meters championship since I knew of his health issues, and he had said, “Let’s wait and see how I do at the meet.” The wait was worth it.)
David Vail began his swimming career at Shaker Heights High School in Ohio and continued at Princeton University. After graduating from Princeton and going on to earn his PhD in Economics at Yale, David’s athletic pursuits consisted mainly of running and biking, but a stress fracture got him back into the pool when he turned 50. At age 64, he had to have shoulder surgery, another setback. He credits Bowdoin swim coach Brad Burnham and fellow masters swimmer Pam Torrey with helping him straighten out his stroke. He also credits Dave Bright, his masters swim coach and Brunswick High School swim coach, for his mentorship and support over the years.
David’s record of accomplishments extend well beyond the pool. He taught at Bowdoin for 41 years, retiring in 2011 with the title of Adams Catlin Professor of Economics and Director of Environmental Studies, Emeritus. He’s written scores of books, articles and monographs, primarily in the areas of sustainability and economic development. He’s also been extensively engaged in many civic organizations related to the environment. He currently puts his expertise and commitment to work for the Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; the Solar Energy Association of Maine; the Maine Woods Consortium; the Chewonki Foundation Advisory Board; the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust; and the Appalachian Mountain Club.
David is looking forward to competing in the National Senior Games in Albuquerque in June. Don’t bet against him. He currently holds the second fastest time in the nation in the 200 meter backstroke, and it’s doubtful, given his health history, that other competitors in his age group will match his determination and grit.
When I asked David what advice he would give to young people, he said, “Be patient and be tolerant with yourself and with others. There’s no need to demonize. We’re only on earth for a brief period of time.”
David Treadwell, a Brunswick writer, welcomes commentary and suggestions for future “Just a Little Old” columns. dtreadw575@aol.com.
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