Timothy Shead is a transplanted American Master's swimming phenomenon. In 1983 while a swimming coach in Florida, Tim and his South African wife Lesley moved to South Africa to start a business, called P2Life. There he also discovered Masters swimming, swimming with the Cape Town Masters Swimming Club.

He is the first South African Masters Swimmer to be inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF). Strictly speaking, he was inducted as a U.S. Masters swimmer and a SAM’S swimmer, but since his first love is South Africa, we are going to take the credit for his accolade!

Tim, competing for a South African club and USA clubs, first appeared in the Masters Top 10 in 1992 and has been listed there for a total of 17 years since then. As a versatile swimmer, by 2014 he had set 32 FINA Masters World Records, 20 long course meters and 12 short course meters in the I.M, backstroke, breaststroke and relay. He has competed in 10 FINA Masters World Championships winning 17 gold, 16 silver and 5 bronze medals in the I.M, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

By 2024, his haul of World records stands at 58. At the Master's World Championships held in Doha, Tim won the 70-74 age group 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 200 IM, all in championship record times. He also came second in the 50 freestyle. 

Flying the flag at the world championships, Budapest 2017.  CTMSC finished top of the medals tables with 29 gold medals.

A Tribute to Tim from Perry Cadiz

SAMS newsletter - 24 November 2014

Tim was one of the first friendly faces that I encountered at my maiden squad session at Constantia, as a wet behind the ears, 25 year old, wannabee masters swimmer. It was around that time that he was establishing himself as a serious contender in the Masters Swimming World. Despite me quickly realising that I was in the company of someone very talented, my impression was of someone that was keener to help and share his extensive knowledge than of a world-renowned athlete. It would be years before I knew of his success as a coach in the U.S, but I was moved by his tangible love for the sport, and his desire to help others improve and realise their own potential.

Tim was not a swimming prodigy. In fact his highest achievement as a youngster was to be ranked amongst the top swimmers in the state of Florida.

However many top stars are not simply “born” and the bug had bitten enough for him to continue to swim while studying an accounting and marketing degree at The University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, he moved to California where he trained under Jim Montrella, a former Olympic coach, with the aim of swimming in the 1976 Olympics. This dream was not realised, but instead of turning his back on the sport he loved, he chaired US athlete’s representative programme, as well as the Executive Board of United States Swimming Inc. He also started his own Swim team in Miami and after 5 years it was ranked as one of the top club teams in the US. His coaching success resulted in him being awarded the title of Head US International Swim Coach.

Tim began his master’s career in Johannesburg in 1984 at 32 years of age. By 1997, at the age of 45, he broke his first master’s world record, the most memorable moment of his swimming career. From then on he went from strength to strength and the records literally tumbled. Tim himself has joked that “he who slows slowest, -wins” which is probably a bit too humble, but the fact that he has maintained the speed and form he had as a youngster and swum a few personal bests at age 60 has afforded him the ability to break 33 individual Masters World records! At times, he has also ranked in the top 10 in the FINA rankings for 30 out of a possible 35 events, which shows how versatile he is as a swimmer. On the home front, he has broken over 140 SAM’S records.

In Sept 2014, Tim was awarded the prestigious honour of being inducted in to the IMSHOF. For inclusion athletes must have been swimming for 16 years at least, spanning 4 age groups, and have earned roughly 700 points. Points are earned for FINA Masters world records, FINA Masters top 10 placing’s, and FINA World Master’s Championship medal placings.

Despite this being a monumental accolade and one of the proudest moments of his life, he is quick to acknowledge that Master’s swimming is not only about the records, nor the world top ten rankings.

 No one needs to convince a swimmer about the huge physical, social and emotional benefits of swimming. The lane banter and the people are the draw card, and it’s nice to hear the Best of the Best emphasise this.

When in Cape Town, Tim happily arrives 5 mornings a week for a session and a post work-out coffee and chat. It’s a lifestyle that’s hard to beat, and for him the racing comes secondary to the social and physical benefits.

Tim’s achievements are not only pool based. He runs two very successful international nutrition and supplement companies called P2Life and Ultima and he spends a lot of time travelling between South Africa and Florida. Tim firmly believes that correct nutrition is partly responsible for his success in the pool. Most of us have converted to “Tim’s shake” and I would be surprised if there are people who haven’t heard about Tim’s adaptogens!

In his view, bad eating habits are as destructive as poor technique, incorrect training and inadequate rest. In my view, snowboarding with a testosterone fuelled young adult is more destructive (being the physio for his 2 recent shoulder rotator cuff repairs!) but the upside is that his recent injuries have afforded us great coaching tips whenever a butterfly set is introduced. (Tim hates butterfly sets)

Tim appears to have lots of life left in him for further greatness in the pool, and with his in depth knowledge of race strategy, land and pool training, nutrition, and most importantly his generosity of time and willingness to share and teach, we can be glad he is going to be spending more time here in Cape Town than in Florida.

Who knows, with some tips and a few more adaptogens, maybe one day we can all outlast our competitors and become World record holders at 90!

Tim and Lesley Shead.

I love swimming and cannot imagine my life without it! The lifelong friends and memorable experiences it has provided are priceless. On Friday night I was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. A dream come true, an experience of a lifetime, yet incredibly humbling. I want to thank those without whom it would have NEVER been possible. Bob Karl, Pat Toner, George Breen, Jim Montrella and John Grzeszczak. Must also thank Charlie Hodgson and David Marsh for playing such major roles in my life.

And of course all my amazing South African coaches and fellow swimmers for all your unselfish love, help, support and friendship; Tyrone, Halton, Cecilia, Judy, Margo, Chris and Di are first to mind. P2Life of course. But most importantly - must thank my wife Lesley - and my wonderful kids - for your amazing love and support. To all my swimming friends around the world - THANKS for so enriching my life and helping make this such an amazing journey