Bey Melamed
Developing the Human Spirit
by Laura Jones >>> Photos by Luke Regier

Avraham Melamed, known to most as Bey, says he loves swimming because “it is the human spirit that determines the outcome.” But that statement could just as easily apply to many of the twists and turns in the eventful life of this Israeli Olympian. Modest and gracious, Melamed, 67, is a member of Metro Masters Swim Club and the coach of Premier Athletics Masters in New York. In a life that has seen the birth of a nation and the violent death of teammates, swimming is his constant source of joy and learning.

Swimming
From Imagination to Innovation to Invention
by Bill Edwards

Benjamin Franklin, generally acknowledged as one of the earliest inventors of swimming gear, is also—quite probably—the most famous. Since the early 1700s, when Franklin is believed to have created rudimentary, wooden hand and foot paddles to keep himself from drowning in the waters around his childhood home of Boston, most other inventors of devices designed to teach and train swimmers have labored in relative obscurity.

Where's the Beef?
High-profile athletes and Masters swimmers are hoping to prove that a plant-based diet may be better for your performance.
by Elaine Howley

Professional triathlete and author Brendan Brazier and bodybuilder Robert Cheek do it. So does Scott Jurek, the ultramarathon runner. And Dave Scott was doing it during all six times that he won the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. What are these super athletes who push the laws of human strength and endurance doing? It’s more a question of what they aren’t doing—eating meat or otherwise using animal products. These incredible athletes are vegans, proponents of an all plant-based diet.

From the Editor

Fear of Water by Laura Hamel

Letters

Laziness Conquered by Ann Kastberg

More on the Origins of the Pull Buoy

Nutrition Bars

Hooray for Kayakers by Nancy McPhee

For the Money? by Natalie Merrow

Anachronism? by Donald Levy, Norman Macartney, Bill Edwards

Special Needs Swimmers by Catherine Bohls

Taken Aback by Jacki Hirsty, Brian Goldman

Carbon Fee by Daniel Slick

Both Sides of the Lane Line

Divide by Experience by Noah Sandler

Divided We Fall by Anna Lea Matysek

Swimming Life

Grand Strand Masters Swimming Dives in to Save Lives by Laura Jones

Miracle Swimming for the 21st Century by Laura Jones

Training & Technique

The Dryland Difference: Yoga and Pilates by Laura Jones

Out in the Open: Lisa Hazen by Laura Jones

From the Center Lanes: Michael Mann by Laura Jones

2-Minute Tune-up: Ed Moses by Laura Hamel

On Deck With ... Patty Waldron by Laura Jones read>>

The Healthy Swimmer

Avoiding Muscle Cramps by Laura Jones

Straight Talk on Lactate by Laura Jones

Swim Bag

Sports Nutrition Part II: (Electrolyte Replacement and Recovery) by Laura Hamel

Inside USMS

Volunteer Profile: Meegan Wilson by Laura Jones

Splashback

Flippin' Out by Phillip Whitten