Charles E. Simmons's Page

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Jayson Jackson left a comment for Charles E. Simmons

"Thanks for sharing all of that. We are very glad to have you on board."

May 25, 2012

Charles E. Simmons left a comment for Jayson Jackson

"I heard about you via the National Black Heritage Chamionship Swim Meet web site. I will be attending the event this weekend, for sure Sat, maybe Sun, hopefully both days. Every time I attend I get goose bumps and sometimes my eye's fell with…"

May 25, 2012

Jayson Jackson left a comment for Charles E. Simmons

"Charles, thanks for joining and sharing your story. How did you hear about us?"

May 25, 2012

Charles E. Simmons is now a member of Diversity in Aquatics

May 25, 2012

Welcome Them!

Profile Information

Relationship Status:: Married

About Me:: This month May 2012 I celebrate 60 years of competitive swimming, coaching and teaching swimming. I started my swimming career at a small recreation center called St. Johns recreation Center in May 1952 in an underpriveldge area in Brooklyn, NY. We were called the FINMEN. I swam in High school and continued my swimming career during a 34 year military career. Swimming open many doors for me during my military career; qualifying to become a Specail Forces (Green Beret)Soldier for 31 years, attending and graduating from the Specail Forces Combat Diver School, 15 years assigned to a Special Forces Combat Diver team, Conduct numerous Underwater submarien oprations, parascuba parachute operations, participated in numerous combat diver operations and much, much more. Without a doubt my ability to swim and swim well open doors to me that took me places I never dreamed of.

I'm enternal greatfull to the Black lifeguard who took the time to teach not only me but my teammates this wounderful sport. I am a masters swimmer and have been since the very beginning in the early 70's when Rason Author started master's swimming. Today I'm retired military and I teach swimming for free to those who really want it, mostly adults. I was under contract with Special Forces for three years teaching swimming to the Special Forces Candidates who failed the swim test. Needless to say 95% of them were Black.

My dream is to open my own aquatic center, which I have been working on for many years. it's a dream that started during my military years. Within in that center I will start a youth swim team of mostly at risk childern like I was when I started.

No, I'm not a national, masters or world class swimmer, but I hold my own in Masters. I live to swim because I truly love it and I thank God for the path that let me to that swimming pool 60 years ago. I'm in excellent health and I have alot to teach at risk childern. The most important thing they need in their lives is structure, discipline and an understanding of the importance of education. My coach use swimming as the vehicle to change our thinking about education, responsibility, honor, intergity,loyalty, self respect and to dream big. Coupled with my military training and experience I will do the same for the at risk children on my team. Swimming is my passion and I know I have a lot to offer children and dults in the swimming world.

Hopefully, this will give a snapshot of who I am, it's not the full picture, but its a window into my life.