Waimea’s Mo Mathews a Swimming Legend

82-year old Mo Mathews being helped out of Richardson's by friends Jim Budde (left) and Ed Doherty. Photo by Brad Ballesteros

Born June 16, 1927 Mo Mathews has become a legend in Big Island history, not only for his swimming talents, but also for the amount of time, energy and dedication he has put into his sport.

   At age 82 Mathews can be found swimming laps at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy facility, something he has been doing for many years.

Start of the Richardson Rough Water Swim in August

“I’ll swim between 2,000 and 3,500 yards a day at HPA,” he said.

   Mathews has competed in a number of World and International Meets where he has established a name for himself.

  He has continually been ranked in the National Top Ten age group for men, usually falling somewhere between seventh and eleventh.

   So it was no surprise that this octogenarian swam the Richardson Rough Water 1-mile race in August, finishing in a time of 33 minutes and 31 seconds.

  Mathews’ philosophy has been to have fun and to give thanks to all that have supported and promoted the sport of swimming throughout the world.

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