Charlie Sava
Sava at age 65, 1966 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 10, 1900 Balearic Islands |
| Died | May 1, 1983 (aged 82) San Francisco, California |
| Playing career | |
| 1920- | Dolphin Swim Club San Francisco |
| Position(s) | freestyle, distance |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1928-1955 | Crystal Plunge Swim Club |
| 1955-1983 | Trained at Larson Pool |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 10 AAU National Championships 1944-8 (Crystal Plunge SC Women) | |
| Awards | |
| International Swimming Hall of Fame Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame | |
Charles Sava (June 6, 1910- May 1, 1983) was a Hall of Fame American swimming coach, who led the women's team of San Francisco's Crystal Plunge Swim Club to 10 consecutive National AAU championships between 1944-1948. Sava's best known Olympic swimmers included 1948 two-time gold medalist Ann Curtis Cuneo, 1948 London Olympic diver Vicki Draves, 1948 London Olympic backstroker Barbara Jensen, 1968 Mexico City Olympic Silver medalist Lynn Vidali, and 1952 Helsinki Olympic freestyler Delia Meulenkamp Dooly. 1964 Tokyo Gold Medalist Donna de Varona, and 1972 Munich Olympic gold medalist Mark Spitz did some training with Sava, but also received essential training from Coach George Haines at the Santa Clara Swim Club.