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Maverick of the Month

Florence Carr, 76, grew up in New York City. At age ten, she joined the Women's Swimming Association of NY. This is where she learned all her strokes and her competitive swimming journey began. She received many honors during the nine years she competed with that organization.
After high school, at age 19, Carr toured the country and performed in Aquacade Shows. She swam with such notables as Esther Williams and Buster Crabbe, after he was the 1936 Olympic champion and before he became a celebrity as Tarzan. A frequent setting for these shows was the Fountainbleu Hotel, in Miami. One day, during a demanding photo shoot, Crabbe whispered in Carr's ear. She chuckled. Her husband was on the set and jealous because he thought Crabbe was flirting with his wife. What did he say? She's not talking. She worked as a professional actress and performed in synchronized swimming routines. She appeared in the James Bond film, "Goldfinger," and also with Fernando Lamas, Jerry Lewis, Rosemary Clooney, Joey Bishop, Gordon McRay, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Sometimes, Carr and the other swimmers had to repeat stunts so many times for the camera, that she could hardly climb out of bed in the morning. She lived in California for 25 years and was an administrative secretary for the Santa Clara School District. Carr raised three daughters who also excelled in aquatic sports in their youth, two as champion swimmers and the other, as a diver. She is proud that they all graduated from college and of their accomplishments. Carr first joined Masters at age 47, and has compiled an illustrious list of achievements, including three World records, over fifteen National records, USMS Top Ten every year, twelve years of being an All American (first place) and an All Star in 1990 (most first places in the top ten). She joined the Mavericks in 2000 and lives in Sun City Center, FL. In her spare time, she makes quilts for children with aids. She trains at the same pool in Brandon as Brooke Bennett, three-time Olympic champion. Fast water for fast swimmers!

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