Richard Jacobs, a story of inspiration

Swimmer Richard Jacobs loves to go searching for precious metal in water. It is something he is good at.

At the 2011 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games in Fairview he swam off with six medals – four golds, two silvers – and two years earlier in Airdrie he came home wearing three silvers.

Later this month he will have gold in his sights again when he takes the plunge at Westlock swimming pool, competing in the 65-70 category.

Yet in many ways the 66-year-old will be a winner before entering the water.

Just 20 months ago Jacobs underwent open heart surgery, raising doubts about his ability to swim competitively again.

Amazingly, the Nov. 18, 2011 operation took place only four months after his Fairview feats.

How is it possible he is now not only participating in the 2013 games, but also talking about going for gold?

The answer seems to be a combination of tenacity and the wonders of modern medicine.

“Since the operation my stamina has really improved,” he says. “I could never swim long distances. Now I can go 200 yards and not feel the difference.”

Nevertheless, Jacobs’ heart ordeal has taken a toll in other areas.

“I need to build up my muscles,” he says. “I’ve been using weights, but I’m still not back to where I was.”

Jacobs, a carpet layer with Leon’s Carpet and Paint on Main Street, will be competing in four events this month: backstroke and crawl, both at 50m and 100m.

“Obviously my goal is to win four golds, but it will be great just to take part and meet other athletes,” he said.

“I really hope people will understand that having heart surgery doesn’t mean you can no longer do the things you love.”

Listening to Jacobs, it is hard to believe that he was once terrified of water.

It was only when he had swimming lessons while a soccer-loving schoolboy in Northumberland, England, that he conquered his phobia.

“After that I swam like a fish,” he said. “I loved it. Backstroke has always been my strongest stroke.”

From the age of 11 onwards Jacobs made remarkable progress, even reaching national UK standard.

However, life as a young adult pulled him in other directions and he was unable to commit himself to training and realize his full potential.

It makes one wonder what might have been had he started swimming at a much younger age.

Nevertheless, even relegated to a pastime, swimming has given Jacobs unforgettable experiences.

For example, in 2009 he took part in the World Masters in Sydney, Australia, giving him a chance to explore the great city. Four years earlier, he competed in the World Masters in Edmonton.

Jacobs would also have gone to Nova Scotia last year for the Canada Games, had his heart problem not intervened.

“Swimming is a wonderful sport,” he says. “It relaxes you and there are great fitness benefits.”

As he prepares for his third senior games, Jacobs has increased his training to about four swimming sessions a week.

With such determination, who would bet against him adding to his lustrous haul of metal?