100 Years of Swim Ontario Series

“There is nothing better than going for a swim. It rejuvenates me.”

Call it artistry, genius capability or maybe just master performance in the water.

Kalis Rasmussen is on top of the world.

If you haven’t heard about this woman, you are truly missing someone exceptionally talented, tenacious and in a unique classification of distinction. She’s not just any swimmer, but multiple remarkable, and let’s escalate that to unforgettable, moments in the water.

Some people would simply refer to Rasmussen as a terrific athlete. You can make up your own words for her after learning that she is a multi-Canadian and World record holder.

And Rasmussen is not done so soon – even though she’s 97 years old and thrives on exercise.

When the coronavirus pandemic shut down pools, all she did was postpone her 50-60 laps a day, four times a week, and replace it with walks of four-to-five kilometres.

You can’t make this up for a woman, who has a gift of aging – but by number only. Physically, she’s got the energy of, well, a younger person. Get this, she’s believed to be the oldest competitive swimmer in Canada.

Rasmussen is being highlighted by Swim Ontario, during a 100-year celebration of Canada’s largest provincial swim organization. While she’s just a few years off from changing her age from two digits to three, Rasmussen and a pool are inseparable.

“Age doesn’t bother me,” said the native of Copenhagen, who moved to Canada in 1951. “For me, there is no hidden secret, I just love to swim and walk and live life every day - and to its fullest. It’s comforting.”

Okay, but we did find out that Rasmussen thoroughly enjoys an open-faced sandwich – rye bread with pickled herring. It’s a Danish delicacy. Much of the younger crowd tends to thrive on the calorie-loaded Danish pastries like the multi-layered crusty delicacies, and even cinnamon rolls.

Some of us remember our grandparents reminding us that a nice glass of warm water before bedtime tends to ease the stomach. Not for Rasmussen. She prefers a small glass of sherry before calling it a day.

About those records, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke. Just name the distances and Rasmussen has her name on the Canadian records in the master’s age category. On the World record watch, pick up a notepad, you’ll need it to start marking the info about this truly dynamic individual.

For instance, at the 2017 FINA World championship in Hungary, she left spectators at the Budapest spectacle, talking about the woman from Canada – after setting several event records.

At the 2019 Swim Ontario Masters championships in Markham, Rasmussen set five world records in the 95-99 age group category. All in short course races. Alright, so she was the only athlete in that age group competing in that meet, a celebrated Rasmussen still has put together a phenomenal list of accomplishments.

Tally things up and Rasmussen has her name on 20 Canadian National records in the 85-89 and 90-94 age groups. That doesn’t even count the eight master’s World Records she set at age 95.

Age can’t stop her from breaking barriers on a world stage – and she just keeps going.

Rasmussen started swimming at age eight, but the competitive urge didn’t come until the year 2000 when she was nearing her 76th birthday. You’ll find her, four days a week swimming laps. She’s a member of Toronto’s Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club (EOMAC).

Mirko Petrov, President of EOMAC, is a man who can’t stop beaming about his ace swimmer.

“She swims like a young girl with no sign of slowing down,” he said. “I watch her carefully and she always surprises me. Her eagerness, well, you can’t match it. She’s the star of our 95-member team.”

Hard to believe Rasmussen has time for other things. When she’s not in the pool or walking, she adores reading. For the Belle of the Pool, is a long life hereditary? Her mother died at age 50, and father, a politician, passed away at age 40. Here’s a tip, don’t get into a discussion about World War II, as she is quite sharp on her history.

“I’m a very lucky woman and exercise keeps me in shape,” said Ramsussen, who swims about 6,000 metres a week, has had two hip replacements, and beat breast cancer.

Her son, Kim, who lives with his mother, said she’s the star of the neighbourhood – and beyond.

“She’s very agile, goes for walks in the neighbourhood and people adore her,” said the 64-year-old. “Mom is a remarkable woman and can be a bit demanding at times, and always talking about swimming.”

A former Swim Ontario Masters Swimmer of the Year, Rasmussen – who also once tried rowing while in Denmark - said she adores something called “socialization”.

“I love being with people, the atmosphere is fabulous,” she said in a telephone conversation. “There is nothing better than going for a swim. It rejuvenates me.”

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.