Our Community Involvements

A History of Giving

Tsunami has always been more than just a swim team — it is a thriving community of caring, supportive individuals. Since 1998, Tsunami swimmers have raised more than $56,000 for organizations combating hate and violence, supporting people living with AIDS/HIV, and fighting breast cancer. Among the organizations the team has supported are Shanti; The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center; Breast Cancer Emergency Fund; Project Open Hand; Bay Area Young Positives; UCSF AIDS Health Project; and Positive Resources.

During the awards ceremony at the Pacific Masters Swimming Championships in May 2005, Tsunami was recognized for its efforts following the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia in December. There was an audible gasp by the crowd when it was announced that Tsunami had raised more than $20,000 for disaster relief efforts through a city-wide swim-a-thon.

While the swim-a-thon was just the latest example in Tsunami's long history of charitable work, the recognition we received underscored to our masters swimming friends our dual commitment to excellence in the pool and service to our community.

Connections

Aquatic Organizations

Our Communities

Swimming to Wyoming to Fight Hate Violence

Outraged and saddened by the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming in October 1998, members of the Tsunami responded with the Swim Against Hate, a swim-a-thon to combat hate violence. Tsunamis tracked their workout yardage throughout the month of November, with the collective goal of swimming the 1,135 miles from San Francisco to Laramie, Wyoming.

With pledges from friends, family, and co-workers, the team raised more than $15,000 divided equally between Community United Against Violence in San Francisco, Wyoming-based organizing efforts of Equality Colorado Anti-violence Project, and National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects. The team's efforts were recognized by Pacific Masters Swimming, which awarded Neil Hart, who personally raised more than $4,000 and event organizer Tod Hill with 1998 PMS Personal Achievement Award.