Rob Madell will again make the mile-long swim off the coast of Barnegat Light, racing with the same vintage grace he has every summer. But more and more each year, the 82-year-old hears the tenacious tick of time paddling behind him.

Madell, the oldest swimmer currently registered for the 13th annual Barnegat Light Ocean Mile Swim, set for Saturday, July 27, has no plans of slowing down and will compete in two national championships in Minnesota by the time he braves the waves off Long Beach Island.