Once apon a time there was a small band of Hawaiian swimmers who frolicked in the warm waters off Waikiki and elsewhere on the island of Oahu. Now, being that many in this group were spawned from age group and college swimming programs it occured to them that although they may be getting a little mushy around the gills there was no good reason that mature adults couldn't keep competing. Hence sprang forth the Waikiki Roughwater Swim and a most audacious challenge to the mighty Californian swimmers in the form of the Maui Channel Relay Race. In 1971, after the 2nd Waikiki Roughwater, this group became consitutionally founded as the Waikiki Swim Club (WSC) with dues set at $1 per month (which have remained there since!). See the original members list (pdf file).

Based on the principle of lifetime vigorous swimming for fun, sport and health the Club grew in membership and in the promotion of adult swimming in Hawaii. The traditional 2K swim at Ala Moana was established when the Club installed two spar buoys along the course and for 15 years, rain or shine, the club has been there every Saturday morning. In 1972, WSC initiated a program for Masters pool meets and the first contingent of Hawaiian Masters journeyed to the national meet in San Mateo under the WSC banner. Bylaws were drawn up in 1974 and, while the Club remained a sponsor, the operation of the Roughwater Swim was turned over to the City & County of Honolulu.

By 1976, there were two registered masters swim clubs in Hawaii and in an effort to send one unified relay team to Nationals the club supported the idea of forming a special affiliation so that all Hawaiian swimmers could compete together regardless of their club membership. With 10 years of foresight, the name chosen was our State fish the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a. To this day, WSC continues the tradition of hosting Masters meets and most swimmers continue to be registered under the "Humu" banner. The unifying spirit and the special recognition that the Humu name brought to Hawaiian Masters swimming endeared the fish that "grunts like a pig" to the hearts of many WSC members and soon it became the uno"fish"al mascot of the Club.

Through the many talents and ambitions of its members, Waikiki Swim Club has been instrumental in establishing new and unusual sporting events, such as the original Ironman, Oahu's first biathlon (now renamed the Magic Island Biathlon), and the Humu relays, the nation's first postal meet. The club also founded the Rabbit Island Swim, the North Shore Challenge, Kailua-Popoi'a Swim, The January 1st Pro Swim, and continues its suppport of the Maui Channel Relays. Along with an annual awards banquet and several social events, Waikiki Swim Club remains a vital force in adult swimming.

--WSC History recounted by Andrea Woods