Masters/Tri Swim Training

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DOLPHINS OF THE DESERT MASTERS
IS A U.S. MASTERS SWIMMING GOLD CLUB!
HEAD COACH JEFF COMMINGS: USMS CERTIFIED LEVEL 4 COACH

Masters Swimming is a great excuse to get out of the house and do something good for yourself. The concept of Masters swimming began in the 1970s and has members in the dozens of countries from all corners of the globe. And don’t let the name fool you! Members of Masters swimming make up all levels of ability and speed. Whether you have just learned to swim or have been a lifelong participant, Masters swimming is for you!

Triathlons and Long Distance Swimming are increasingly popular as well. We have trained athletes to swim proficiently in their first triathlon, as well as several established Ironman competitors (including the 2014 silver medalist). In 2016, we helped train Ben Kanute toward a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in the triathlon and finished the swim portion in the top 15. In 2017, we qualified an athlete to qualification for the 2018 Ironman World Championship in the 65-69 age group! Several professional triathletes who have won medals at the Ironman world championship have also trained with us through the years.

Why is swimming becoming such a popular sport? As people get older, swimming is one of the few sports that can be continued throughout a person’s entire life.

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Dolphins of the Desert Masters hosted its first swim meet! Thank you to everyone who participated in the meet as an athlete or volunteer at the 2025 Dolphins of the Desert Pentathlon!

Offering Six Practice Times Each Week

All participants in Dolphins of the Desert workouts must have a current membership with U.S. Masters Swimming. This includes all drop-in visiting swimmers. Click here to register with USMS.

A three-month commitment is required for all new members of Dolphins of the Desert Masters. No cancellations or membership freezing in those three months without a valid reason.

You do not need to be a member of the La Paloma Country Club to participate in Masters workouts. And, you don’t have to worry about how “slow” you are or how far you can swim. There’s a lane for you at Dolphins of the Desert Masters! The only requirement is that you can swim 25 yards (one length of a standard lap pool) nonstop and unassisted, using one of the four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, or breaststroke. We’ll take it from there! If you have questions about your ability, contact head coach Jeff Commings at the email below.

Workouts are held at the La Paloma Country Club, 3666 E Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718
Monday – 6:00 – 7:00 am
Tuesday – 6:30–7:30 pm
Wednesday – 6:00 – 7:00 am
Thursday – 6:30–7:30 pm
Friday – 6:00–7:00 am
Saturday – 7:00 – 8:00 am
Click here for a map

For ALL swim practices, you should have the following equipment:


***If you can’t fit our swim training sessions into your schedule, consider becoming a part of our E-WORKOUT program!***

See table below for pricing. Swimmers can also pay a $16 drop-in fee per workout. This applies ONLY to out-of-town visitors and for Tucson residents who want to swim once as a “trial workout.” We do not accept drop-in payments for those looking for a “pay-as-you-swim” option as a regular member. Please contact head coach Jeff Commings at commingsjeff@gmail.com before your first workout.



Guests of the Westin La Paloma are invited to participate in our Masters workouts at no additional charge.
Questions? Contact head coach Jeff Commings at 520-891-8923 or send an email to commingsjeff@gmail.com.

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The benefits of swimming are documented. One of the most important aspects is that it is a non-weight bearing sport. Other benefits include:

  • Reduction of physical and mental stress
  • Weight loss and control
  • Strengthens the heart and improves circulation
  • Improvement of overall quality of life by helping people stay in good physical condition year-round
  • Eases stress on joints and is therefore an ideal exercise for people with physical disabilities

Masters and Long Distance Swimming is a sport for both non-competitive (fitness) swimmers and competitive swimmers. Many swimmers get into the sport because it offers organized workouts and can offer a strong social component. For those that choose to compete, swimmers compete in their own age group by five-year age divisions. Swimmers can begin Masters at age 18 in the United States (age 25 in other countries), and the oldest Masters are nearly 100 years old. Workouts are divided by speed and ability, and swimmers can be challenged to their own personal preference. Masters Swimming has grown from a handful of interested adult swimmers to thousands who compete at regional, national and international levels.

To learn more about Masters Swimming, check out the following links on the worldwide web.

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Are there tryouts?

No. You may participate in one workout at the price of a drop-in swim ($16) to get a feel of the program and whether you would like to become a regular member. If you think you might need one-on-one stroke work or other help before starting Masters workouts, schedule one swimming lesson with Jeff Commings or Geoff Glaser through this SCHEDULE LESSONS link.

Want to join Masters? Follow these steps:

  • Send an e-mail to head coach Jeff Commings: commingsjeff@gmail.com with the following information: your swimming background; your phone number; the month you would like to begin practices.

  • Read our general policies document.

Dolphins of the Desert strives to create a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all of our athletes. Please review our code of conduct for more information.