Suzanne Heim-Bowen

Suzanne Heim-Bowen who was inducted in the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Open Water Swimmer in the Class of 2007

Suzanne Heim, WOWSA-certified open water swimming coach

Suzanne Heim Bowen is a 63-year-old American open water swimmer from Walnut Creek, California who was inducted in the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Open Water Swimmer in the Class of 2007.

Swimming Career

• She won the 25 km Border Buster in Lake Memphremagog in 7 hours 50 minutes 46 seconds at the age of 63.
• She won 15 Masters US National Championships: 8 x 1 hour postal, 4 x 5K postal, 1 x 10 km postal, 1 x 15 km and 1 x 1 mile
• She is a member of the Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club of San Francisco.
• 1978 La Jolla Cove, 3rd, 19 – 14 Age Group
• 1979 - won the 10-mile ocean swim at the Seal Beach Rough Water Swim in Seal Beach, California.
• On 30 October 1979, she completed a 5 km open water swim in San Francisco Bay, California at the age of 21 in 1:19:15.
• On 17 June 1981, she completed a 7.8 km open water swim in San Francisco Bay, California at the age of 22 in 2:13:52.
• On 19 June 1982, she completed a 14.5 km open water swim in San Francisco Bay, California at the age of 23 in 2:53:53.
• 1983 Capitola to Santa Cruz (5 miles) Fastest Female
• 1985 swam the English Channel (F-E) in 10 hours 11 minutes
• 1986 twice swam the English Channel (E-F) in 10 hours 1 minute and 10 hours 25 minutes.
• 1986 participated in a 3-way English Channel relay crossing in 32 hours 54 minutes.
• 1988 United States Swimming Long Distance Team Captain
• 1988 United States Swimming Long Distance National Championship 25 km Gold Medalist
• 1988 FINA World Championships, Lake Geneva 18 km Silver Medalist
• 1988 Walnut Creek Masters Golden Gate Swim Fastest Female
• 1989 [[United States Swimming[[ Long Distance Swimmer of the Year
• 1989 United States Swimming Long Distance National Championship 25 km Fifth Place
• 1989 Auckland Central Masters Harbor Swim (5.6 km) Fastest Female
• 1996 FINA Masters World Championships: silver in the 3 km
• 1998 USMS Long-Distance All Star (40 – 44 Age Group)
• 1999 USMS Long-Distance All Star (40 –44 Age Group)
• 1998 - 1999 World/National Records: Long Course Meters (40 – 44 age Group) 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle, 200m butterfly
• 1999 United States Swimming Long Distance National Championship 10 km Silver Medalist
• 1999 World Records: Short Course Meters (40 – 44 Age Group) 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle
• 1999 National Records: Short Course Yards (40 – 44 Age Group) 500y, 1000y, 1650y freestyle
• 1999 United States Swimming Long Distance All-American
• 1999 Catalina 15 km Fastest Female
• 1999 Catalina 5 km Fastest Female
• 2000 World /National Records: Long Course Meters (40 – 44 age group) 200m butterfly, 1500m freestyle
• 2001 World/National Record: Long Course Meters (40 –44 age group) 1500m freestyle, National Record: Short Course Yards (40 – 44 age group) 1000y freestyle
• 2002 FINA Masters World Championships: a gold in the 3 km
• 2003 World/National Record: Long Course Meters (45- 49 age group) 1500m freestyle, 800m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, World/National Record: Short Course Meters (45 – 49 age group) 800m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle
• 2004 National Record: Short Course Yards (45- 49 age group) 1650y freestyle, 1000y freestyle, 500y freestyle, Short Course Meters (45 – 49 age group) 1500m, 800m freestyle
• 2004 FINA Masters World Championships: a gold in the 3 km
• 2005 National Record: Short Course Yards (45 -49 age group) 1000-yard freestyle
• 2007 Induction into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Open Water Swimmer (first time awarded)
• 2008 Elk Lake, Oregon 5 km Fastest Female
• 2008 World/National Record: Long Course Meters (50 -54 age group) 1500m, 800m, 400m, 200m freestyle, 10 km, 5 km
• 2009 World/National Record: Short Course Meters (50 – 54 age group) 1500m, 800m, 400m, 200m freestyle
• 2009 National Record: Short Course Meters (50 – 54 age group) 200m butterfly, 50m freestyle
• 2009 National Record: Short Course Yards (50 -54 age group) 500y freestyle
• 2012 - she was recognized and honored at the 2012 Global Open Water Swimming Conference and the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on the RMS Queen Mary on 22 September 2012 in Long Beach, California.
• 2013 Bermuda Around the Sound 10 km Fourth Female
• 2014 Manhattan Island Marathon Swim 28.5 miles Third Female (age 55) in 7 hours 47 minutes 45 seconds.
• She holds the U.S. Masters Swimming Hour Postal Swim in the 50-54 age group.
• She was subject of an independent documentary film called 50 year old FRESHMAN Suzanne Heim-Bowen, created and produced by Deborah McDonald.
• She won the 33 km DC Marathon Swim in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. in 7 hours 50 minutes 46 seconds.

International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Induction

This is Not your average swimmer! She just keeps going…

Introduced to the water as a baby with the Mommy & Me classes held at the local YMCA, as a youngster she swam summer league and competed in AAU competitions. At 14, she quit swimming to play boys water polo. She helped start the Women's Swim Team at Cal Poly.

Many swimmers spend their youth focusing on pool swims and later turn to open water swims. It was the opposite for Suzanne Heim Bomen. At 19, she teamed up with the San Francisco Dolphin Club competing in open water swims around the world. Some of these swims include 3 crossings of the English Channel, Lake Geneva, 17 swims in San Francisco Bay waters -- many of her records have yet to be broken. In Masters open water events she has 29 age group first place finishes.

Watch out for her - Suzanne jokes that the 50 free is her favorite event! Returning to the pool, she has accumulated over 23 Masters World Records in freestyle events ranging from 100m to 1500m. Suzanne illustrates her breadth of successful swims in any body of water, any distance.

She is a lifelong swimmer who is often inspired by the "old timers" who haven't missed a day of swimming in 25 years. Undoubtedly, Suzanne inspires a few herself - maintaining a relentless attitude, setting new boundaries, and literally, new horizons - she just keeps going.

World Masters Swimming Championships

2008 Perth, Australia

• Gold Medalist 100 Free 50 – 54 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 200 Free 50 - 54 Age Group(World Record)
• Gold Medalist 400 Free 50 – 54 Age Group (World Record)
• Gold Medalist 800 Free 50 – 54 Age Group (World Record)
• Gold Medalist 3k Open Water 50 -54 Age Group (4th fastest female)
• Bronze Medalist 50 Free 50 – 54 Age Group

2006 Stanford, California

• Gold Medalist 200 Free 45 -49 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 400 Free 45 – 49 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 800 Free 45 – 49 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 3k Open Water 45 - 49 Age Group (3rd fastest female)
• Silver Medalist 100 Free 45 – 49 Age Group

2004 Riccone, Italy

• Gold Medalist 100 Free 45 – 49 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 200 Free 45 -49 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 400 Free 45 – 49 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 800 Free 45 – 49 Age Group (Meet Record)
• Gold Medalist 200 Fly 45 – 49 Age Group (Meet Record
• Gold Medalist 3k Open Water 45 - 49 Age Group (Fastest Female)

2002 Christchurch, New Zealand

• Gold Medalist 3k Open Water 40 -44 Age Group (Fastest Female)
• Bronze Medalist 200 Free 40 -44 Age Group
• Silver Medalist 400 Free 40 – 44 Age Group
• Silver Medalist 800 Free 40 – 44 Age Group

1996 Sheffield, England

• Silver Medalist 3k Open Water 40 -44 Age Group (2nd Fastest Female)
• Silver Medalist 400 Free 40 – 44 Age Group
• Silver Medalist 800 Free 40 – 44 Age Group

Awards

• 1998 USMS All- Star (40 – 44 Age Group)
• 1998 Pacific Masters Swimming, Female Swimmer of the Year
• 1999, 2003 Pacific Masters Swimming Age-Group Swimmer of the Year
• 1999 USMS All – Star (40 – 44 Age Group)
• 2000 USMS All – Star (40 – 44 Age Group)
• 2001 United States Masters Swimming Swimmer of the Year (1 of 12)
• 2003 United States Masters Swimming Swimmer of the Year (1 of 12)
• 2003 USMS All – Star (45 – 49 Age Group)

Open Water Swimming

• 1985 English Channel (France - England) 10 hours 11 minutes
• 1986 English Channel (England – France) 10 hours 1 minute
• 1986 English Channel (England – France) 10 hours 25 minutes
• 1986 English Channel Relay Three Way: England-France-England-France 32 hours 54 minutes, World Record
• 1986 Oakland Bay Bridge-Golden Gate Bridge & Return, 3 hours 20 minutes (Fastest Time) 10 miles
• 1987 Six Crossings of the Golden Gate 2 hours 52 minutes (First Person & Fastest Time) 6.5 miles
• 1987 San Francisco – Angel Island & Return 7 miles (Fastest Time)
• 1985 Span of four Bridges in one day: Bay Bridge, Golden Gate, San Rafael Richmond Bridge and Carquinez Bridge
• 1985 Oakland Bay Bridge Crossing 5 miles (Fastest Time)
• 1985 San Francisco –Oakland & Return, 10 miles (Fastest Time) 3 hours 11 minutes

Pioneering Swims & Fastest Recorded Times

• 1981 Tiburon – San Francisco 6 miles
• 1982 Bay To Breakers 10 miles
• 1982 Candlestick Park to Dolphin Club 9 miles
• 1982 San Francisco to Forbes Island 7 miles
• 1982 San Francisco to Sausalito 5 miles
• 1982 Prison to Prison, Alcatraz to San Quentin 8 miles
• 1983 San Mateo Bridge Crossing 7 miles
• 1983 Carquinez Bridge – Golden Gate 27 miles
• 1984 San Rafael/Richmond Bridge to San Mateo Bridge 30 miles

Women’s Records

• Alcatraz to Aquatic Park 1.5 miles
• Alcatraz (Round Trip) 3.25 miles
• Golden Gate Bridge Crossing 1.0

Miscellaneous Open Water Swims

• 1970 Healdsburg Swim 1 mile
• 1971 Healdsburg Swim 1 mile
• 2002 Lake Berryessa 2 mile 1st Female Overall, 1 mile 1st Female Overall
• Lake Sonoma 2 mile 1st Female Overall
• Lake Del Valle ½ mile 1st Overall and 1st Female
• Lake Del Valle 2 mile 1st Overall and 1st Female
• Santa Cruz Pier 1 mile 1st Overall and 1st Female
• Donner Lake 2.7 miles 1st Female Overall
• Folsom Lake, 1 and 2 mile, 1st Overall and 1st Female
• Trans Tahoe Relay 12 miles, 1st Overall (Christina Tuescher, Mark Lennard, John Flanagan, Randy Eickoff, Bob Placak)
• Maui Channel Relay 12 miles, 1st Overall (Amanda Beard, Ryk Neethling, Mark Lennard, John Flanagan Bob Placak)
• Tiburon Mile 1.0 mile 4th Female (Brooke Bennet 1st, Lauren Costella 2nd, Jessica Foschi 3rd)
• 2003 Lake Berryessa 2 mile, 1st Overall and 1st Female 1 mile 1st female
• Santa Cruz 1 mile 1st female
• Lake Sonoma 2 mile 1st female
• Trans Tahoe Relay 12 miles 1st Overall (Jessica Foschi, Dawn Heckman, Randy Eickoff, Bob Placak, Brian Roddes)
• Tiburon Mile 1.0 Mile 8th Female
• 2004 Trans Tahoe Relay 1st Overall (Erica Rose, Lauren Costella, Randy Eikoff, Bob Placak)
• 2008 Elk Lake Swim Series 1st Female 5k National Championship, 1st Female 3 km, 1500, 1000k & 500k
• 2011 Waikiki Roughwater Swim 2.3 Miles 1st 50 – 54 Age Group
• 2012 Waikiki Roughwater Swim 2.3 Miles 2nd 50 -54 Age Group
• 2013 Waikiki Roughwater Swim 2.3 Miles 1st 55 – 59 Age Group (15th female)
• Bermuda Round the Sound 10 km 1st 40 and over Age Group/ 4th Overall
• 2014 Waikiki Roughwater Swim 2.3 Miles 1st 55 – 59 Age Group
• Manhattan Island Marathon Swim 28.5 Miles 3rd Female Overall

50 Year Old FRESHMAN Suzanne Heim-Bowen Trailer

Reviews

"Deborah captures the heart of Suzanne in this inspirational story. I know it will resonate with the Masters swimming community," Rob Butcher, Executive Director U.S. Masters Swimming

"Our sport has so many heroes, but it is rare that their story is put on film. Deborah captures what makes Suzanne a champion and one of those rare individuals who can push themselves beyond the imaginable," Steven Munatones, founder of World Open Water Swimming Association.

Awards

• 2012 Best Sports/Outdoor Feature: Indie Spirit Film Festival
  
• 2012 Best New Film: International Aquatic History Film Festival
  
• 2013 Power of Film: Beloit International Film Festival
  

Film Festivals

• 2012 Indie Spirit Film Festival
  
• 2012 International Aquatic History Film Festival
  
• 2013 Beloit International Film Festival
  

Northern California Open Water Swimming Association

She is a member of the board of directors of the Northern California Open Water Swimming Association and Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association that includes Patrick O’Malley Daly, Suzie Dods, Sylvia Lacock, Ranie Pearce, Bryan Temmermand, Michael Tschantz-Hahn, and Steve Walker.

Marathon Swim Stories

She appeared with Shannon House Keegan on Marathon Swim Stories.

External links

• Stephen Rouch, Suzanne Heim Cross-Border To Win 25 km Border Buster
• Andie Nelson Wins DC Marathon Swim
• Suzanne Heim-Bowen Wins DC Marathon Swim
• Diary Of A Double With Antonio Argüelles - Week 27
• Shannon House Keegan Talks Marathon Swimming Stories
• Torpedo Swimtalk With Suzanne Heim-Bowen
• Diary Of A Double With Antonio Argüelles - Week 21
• Binge Watching Swimming Over The Last Centurys
• Northern California Open Water Swimming Association Start
• World Open Water Swimming Association
• Open Water Swimming
• Suzanne Heim-Bowen induction
• U.S. Masters Swimming bio
• 50 year old Freshman
• Open Water Swimming
• Freshman Receives Best New Film Award
• The 50-year-old University Freshman, Suzanne Heim-Bowen
• 50 Year Old Freshman To Be Shown In The Hall Of Fame
• Open Water Swimming
• 50 Year Old Freshman Wins Best Sports / Outdoor Feature
• 50 Year Old Freshman Selected For 8th Beloit
• 50 Year Old Freshman Graduates To Distribution
• 50 Year Old Freshman To Be Shown On Queen Mary
• Deborah J. McDonald And Suzanne Heim-Bowen Go 2-for-2
• Third Film Award For 50 Year Old
• Out Of 5 Come 6
• The Origins Of The Hour Postal Swim
• Charlotte Brynn On Road To Completion
• How Lynne Cox Impresses The World
• Adam Eilath To Attemp 8 Bridges West Edition
• History Of The Seal Beach Rough Water Swim
• World Open Water Swimming Association
• Marathon Swimming
• Open Water Swimming
• Daily News of Open Water Swimming
• I Got Stung
• World Marathon Swimming Association
• All For One And One For All
• Seal Beach Rough Water Swim
• Never Too Old Around Manhattan Island
• Mosaic Of Marathoners
• The Lake Tahoe Season & Sanctioning
• Open Water Swimming
• ePostal Swimming, One Of Dale Petranech's Visions
• World Open Water Swimming Association