As the early morning sun rises over Winchester, the outdoor pool at Jim Barnett Park is surprisingly busy.

It may be just after 6 AM, but members of the Winchester Masters Swim Team are starting their day with a full head of steam.

"We leave here feeling refreshed" says Coach Eileen Span. “And, ready to handle basically anything that comes our way."

Fifty-three-year-old Tony Hoffman adds, "You see the sun coming up over one shoulder, you look over the other and see the moon, it's great to get you going for the day."

With a roster of more than 35 swimmers there's something to be said for strength in numbers.

No matter the early hours, or the unseasonable morning temperatures, the team always has each others backs.

"There's a core group that pretty much attends most practices" says Team Member Michael White. "They keep things light; it's a lot of fun."

Nine swimmers from the Masters Team recently made the trip to Annapolis, Maryland for the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, a 4.4 mile event that pushed these guys to the brink, but was definitely worth it.

"It was a wonderful swim," recalls recent addition to the team, Carolyn Wilson. "The water was beautiful, it was incredible to start at one side and look across the bay."

Amongst such a diverse group, every member has a story. Perhaps none more interesting than that of Kurt Kobernik.

Kobernik, a member of the Virginia Army National Guard, returned from service in Kuwait a week ago, and couldn't wait to get back in the pool.

"When I was over in Kuwait we had a pool there, but it's just not the same" lamented Kobernik after workout Thursday morning. "Being a part of this group again is very special."