Swimmer of the Season
Our featured Spring Swimmer is...
Allwyn Carvahlo
When did you first join AAM?
I think it was 2015 or thereabouts when I first joined AAM - which may surprise many. At that time AAM swims were in Emma Hood at 5:30 a.m. Brrr. My brother-in-law asked if I would join him for the "Tri For Fun" held at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton and I did not know if I could do the 400 yards or whatever the swim distance was. Coach Brett (who preceded our current Head Coach, Amelia) promised me I could. And I struggled, but I did! I think I finished some time after folks from the next wave. But work kept me from continuing with AAM, and the 5:30 a.m. part did not help. But now, I'm at a different stage of my life, looking forward to retirement, and the noon workouts are at just the right time! So, I've been with AAM once again since last October (2025).
What is your occupation/what do you do when you're not on deck?
I have been in the computer software industry for most of my career, and I was planning to retire in August after I was laid off (they call it a re-org :), but a wonderful software consultancy opportunity has "shown up", so I'm planning to pursue that on a part time basis so that it will not interfere with swimming :). In addition to that I have "volunteered" (will get paid) to work for the Registrar of Voters Office to help with the coming primary election in June.
What is your favorite stroke/distance/set?
Honestly, I have always loved the feel of water around me, but I'm a swimming newbie. I first "learned" swimming by jumping into the Narmada River at Jalheri Ghat, a slow flowing stretch in my hometown, Jabalpur, India, and figuring out what to do next. With my cousin, another daredevil, we used to actually make it across the river (and back!). Coach Kate is currently teaching me how to do it 'right', building on what Coach Brett started. I'm working on freestyle and breaststroke and I don't have a favorite yet. Watch this space.
What is your favorite activity out of the pool?
Do I get to choose only one? I love hiking and biking. But, I think my favorite has started to be pickleball, and I play twice a week at Lincoln Park. Join me!
Something you didn't know about me...
I wasn’t going to share this, but my wife encouraged me to, in case it might inspire someone. In 2018, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. The treatment led to severe side effects, including atrial fibrillation and kidney damage that required dialysis three times a week for over a year. At one point, my doctor lost hope that my kidneys would ever recover. By some divine grace, that is all behind me now. My scans are clear, I haven't needed dialysis since 2019, and my heart rhythm is back to normal after an ablation. I can’t say for sure if my lifelong fitness habits helped my physical recovery, but I know they gave me the mental strength to hang on when things were looking bleak.
And...
I’ll leave you with a thought from a video about training for Kilimanjaro. When asked, “How much do I need to train?” the answer was: "Enough to become the kind of person who keeps showing up." It’s not about the miles; it’s about the resilience and the belief that you didn't quit when it would have been easier. As the video says, people don’t return to the mountains for the view - they return for the person they became on the way up. My own goal is to continue becoming that person, staying mentally and physically active as I age. (Check out the full message at https://www.instagram.com/reels/DSGjEFwEo-y/).
We are a 501(c)(3) non profit.
Employer Identification Number (EIN):
94-3288796
Employer Identification Number (EIN):
94-3288796