ST. GEORGE — At 100 years old, Charlotte Sanddal is setting and breaking world records in competitive swimming at the Huntsman World Senior Games.
Sanddal, however, hasn’t been swimming her entire life. Not even close.
“I started when I retired at 73,” Sanddal said in a video provided by the Huntsman World Senior Games.
At the urging of a friend, she jumped in the pool, and her first trip to the top of the podium came at the Montana Senior Games when she swam against — herself.
“I was fortunate to be in one event where I had no competition,” Sanddal said in the video, “so I got a gold medal, and that hooked me right there.”
Sanddal, who hails from Helena, Montana, is competing in nine swimming events. Since she turned 100 in August, she’s already broken one world record in the 200 freestyle and set at least four new world records in her age category, according to a news release from the World Senior Games.
“She is amazing,” said Swimming Events Director Mary Williams in the video. “She is such a humble woman.”
And a logical thinker too. Sanddal employs a technique many swimmers use — on either their arm or thigh, they create in ink a sort of grid that lists the event they’re swimming, as well as the heat and lane to which they’ve been assigned.
“Charlotte’s swimming five events so she has to keep them straight,” said her friend Gloria Lambertz.
Sanddal will have competed in nine events by the time the Games conclude Oct. 15.
After setting a world best in the 400 individual medley, which requires a swimmer to complete 100 meters each of backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and freestyle, Sanddal said as she exited the pool: “I’m glad it’s over.”
Her competitive spirit is impacting others around the pool as well.
“She’s amazing,” said Jamie Deeds of Hurricane, Utah.
“I hope I can live that long and be moving around that long” added Stephanie Saucy of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sanddal said at 100 years old, she’s fortunate to be medication- and illness-free. The key?
“I owe it all to swimming,” she said.
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