Kim Rutherford’s Marathon Swim Story

I always gather a picture and a short, personal, bio from my guests before their interview. Prior to meeting with Kim Rutherford, she said to me, “let me see if I can find the picture of me as a kid. It’s how I feel every time I’m in the water.” And I could feel her childlike enthusiasm as she tells us about tackling each of her childhood dream swims over the last six years.

While some of us dance around it, Kim is forthcoming about her competitive nature, and is quick to acknowledge the desire to be “the first”, “the oldest”, “the fastest” in a sport where the water is open and we just have to seize the opportunities before us. Kim sure makes it sound easy to look past the walls you hit during a big undertaking, but selflessly attributes her dogged determination to everyone who has made her swims possible. I hope you enjoy Kim’s story.

In her own words: 3rd generation Santa Cruz county. Always loved sports, softball, archery, surfing, paddle board, water skiing, trail running, cycling fix gear on the velodrome. Road bike, mountain bike. Fun fact: I am a Huge Esther Williams fan. For work I drove a school bus for about 6 years and then I started dispatching at the 911 center in Santa Cruz and I did that for over 30 years. Taught swimming and coached for about 45 years now. Currently the head coach at Quicksilver Santa Cruz Masters, and for the 9 to 12-year-olds competition team. My major in college was horticulture and landscape design. I currently have a little red Queensland heeler Row-Z, she’s 13 months old. I love ranch dogs, our last dog was a red Merle Australian Shepherd. We had her for 16 years. And single mom of one son who’s now 28 Ryan!

Founding member Monterey Bay Swimming Association: http://www.swimmontereybay.org

Currently coaching at: https://www.teamunify.com/team/pcqsc/page/home