Hermosa Beach, Calif. – On his 76th birthday, swim coach Steve Hyde defied expectations by swimming to the end of the Hermosa Beach pier and back in the 62-degree ocean water. He capped off the nearly 1,000-yard swim by bodysurfing the final stretch to shore.
This feat marked a significant comeback for Hyde, who was paralyzed on his right side by a stroke in October 2021, just a month after his last competitive swim in the Dwight Crum Pier to Pier Two-mile Swim. At that time, he was unable to walk or talk, having been hospitalized for three months.
Hyde, a renowned masters swim coach for the South Bay Swim Team (SOBA), has a long history with the Pier to Pier event, having competed in it for over 40 years. The annual swim, held on the first Sunday in August from the Hermosa Beach pier to Manhattan Beach pier, draws over 1,000 international swimmers.
On Sunday, Hyde used a quad cane to reach the water’s edge. He initially declined assistance from retired lifeguard Brian Merrigan, but a wave knocked him down, prompting Merrigan to help him back to his feet. Hyde then plunged into the water, swimming with a fluid, natural motion described by onlookers as a “muscle memory miracle.”
Shannon Davey, a retired lifeguard captain and SOBA swimmer, witnessed Hyde’s swim and commented, “It’s a muscle memory miracle.” A dozen SOBA swimmers in wetsuits watched their coach, unsure of what to expect, as Hyde expertly navigated the waves.
Masters Coach Mentality
Hyde’s coaching philosophy emphasized maximum effort and mental toughness. He would famously exclaim, “Are we feeling ferocious?” at the start of his 6 a.m. workouts at Begg Pool. His SOBA program included everyone from professional triathletes to novice swimmers, with Hyde always stressing participation: “You’re doing exactly what Michael Phelps does.”
He eschewed detailed whiteboard workouts, preferring to push swimmers to give 100 percent effort on every stroke and turn. “There is no reason not to do flip turns on every lap, except laziness,” he’d say. His training regimens were designed to be challenging, with intervals that progressively increased in speed to build both physical and mental resilience. Hyde believed in pushing limits, often announcing pop quizzes on lap times to reinforce the importance of self-awareness and effort, famously stating, “The clock is not your enemy. It’s your friend.” Competition was also a key element, with Hyde frequently organizing races, believing, “We aren’t joggers. We’re racers.”
Overcoming a Stroke
The turning point in Hyde’s life came on Saturday, September 11, 2021. While preparing for the Swim the Avenues in Redondo Beach with his girlfriend, Janna Colaco, Hyde experienced speech difficulties. Despite his initial resistance, Colaco recognized the signs of a stroke and insisted on taking him to the emergency room. Doctors discovered a blood clot in the left side of his brain. After a stroke and a seizure, Hyde was placed in an induced coma. Although the clot buster medication worked, it caused widespread showering of the clot, leading to significant neurological damage.
His son, Jason, who is head of nursing at Grants Pass Hospital, advised preparing for the worst. Hyde remained in a coma for a week. Upon waking, he exhibited aggressive behavior, breaking a nurse’s hand. He returned home in December, struggling with cognitive issues and the paralysis of his right side. His speech was affected, and communication was severely impaired. Doctors initially predicted a need for long-term assisted care.
A ketogenic diet was recommended to help manage his seizures, a significant lifestyle change for Hyde, who enjoyed beer, fish and chips, and donuts. After two years on the diet with no seizures, doctors reduced his anti-seizure medication, which significantly improved his communication abilities.
From Coach to Student
Physical therapist Julie Guthrie, who joined Hyde’s master program in 2003, began working with Hyde in 2023. “Working with Steve has been eye opening,” Guthrie said. “Steve shows gains every week, four years out.” Hyde’s progress is remarkable, from being unable to do a push-up two years ago to now being able to do them. He has also regained the ability to finger-pick a guitar, a feat once thought impossible due to his hand’s condition.
Guthrie noted Hyde’s motivation: “With Steve, it’s swimming in the ocean.” This drive propelled him to improve his mobility, transitioning from needing a beach wheelchair to using a walker to reach the water. He even worked on climbing a pool ladder to prepare for a trip to Hawaii, a goal he achieved.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
Shannon Davey, who began swimming for Hyde in 2002, has been filling in as a coach since Hyde’s stroke, along with four other swimmers. “We do it because we want to keep the position open for his return,” Davey said. Hyde now regularly attends Friday morning practices, acting as a “Coach on the deck,” offering feedback to swimmers and inspiring them with his presence.
Hyde’s swimming progress has been dramatic. His workouts have increased from 500 yards to over 1,000 yards, and his lap times have improved significantly. Davey notes his improved arm pull and dolphin kick, observing, “Now, when I tell him to dolphin kick, he gets that twinkle in his eye.” Hyde’s resilience and determination continue to inspire those around him.
