Thirty years ago Ann Story arrived in Bend as a 24-year-old recent college graduate, hoping to land a job teaching sports to kids.

Last year she celebrated 30 years of living that dream. During her three decades with Bend Park & Recreation District, Story worked her way up from lifeguard and swim instructor to supervisor of the district’s swim program. Throughout that time she gained a popular following — legions of swimmers in Bend still recall her as their first instructor, and their favorite.

The district honored Story in December for her service to the community, recognizing the thousands of young Bend residents she has taught to swim over the years. It was just one of numerous honors she has received — in 2023, the Oregon Park and Recreation Association presented Story with an Excellence in Programming award.

But these days the Juniper and Larkspur swim center pool decks feel a little different. Story — with her familiar visor and ever-present smile — is no longer there to organize classes, mentor instructors and greet families. She has officially retired from the parks district.

Those who worked with Story say the unparalleled enthusiasm she brought to the job will be sorely missed.

“For 30-years Ann has worked tirelessly to respond to the needs of staff, kids, families and the community,” said Matt Mercer, director of recreation services for the district. “She is a consummate team player, always willing to step up to help others and always with her infectious smile and contagiously positive attitude.”

Path to Bend

Story’s path to Bend and this city’s park and recreation district started in her hometown of Forest Grove. Growing up, she played tennis, soccer, gymnastics, ballet, and track and field to name a few. She also swam, of course.

“I was a big sports nut,” said Story, 55. “I did every sport I possibly could.”

After graduating from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in recreation programming she pondered her options. She considered going back to school to get a teaching degree but in the end veered toward teaching sports and recreation.

“I really like the outdoors and I really like sports and I really liked working with kids and I thought this is gonna be the best fit for me to stay in recreation,” she said.

Story spent a year searching for a job and finally decided to pack her bags and move to Bend, an area she was familiar with after family vacations to Central Oregon during her childhood. That was 1994. She got a job with the park district and quickly moved through the ranks.

Having taught swim lessons in high school, Story recognized she had a talent for helping kids learn to swim. There were always two key strategies that helped her win the trust of her young students and their parents, she said.

“Any time you can get someone to smile and laugh, it is a great recipe for success,” Story said. “Also breaking the skills down into their smallest parts so that your students can experience success at any stage is something that I basically implemented. I taught all the swim instructors that strategy.”

Adapting lessons

Story is credited for leading the district’s swim program through its expansion as classes were added over the years. But it was during the pandemic when Story’s creativity and commitment stood out. She filmed and posted swimming instructions online from her living room and bathtub, displaying swim strokes and breathing techniques to children.

“She was so worried about the children not being connected to swim lessons and she was so funny and great at it,” said Sue Glenn, recreation facilities manager at the park district. “She was a pioneer in contactless swim lessons, successfully getting parents and guardians in the water with their youngsters while instructors taught from the deck.”

Many recognize Story’s reach in the community, her ability to connect with people and get kids interested in swimming. She was often in the pool herself, teaching lessons when staff were unavailable.

“Ann has taught thousands of students to swim and hundreds of staff to teach swimming. Most families in the community have probably been in contact with Ann if they have been to one of our pools,” said Shannon Gilman, aquatic supervisor for the district.

“If you ever had the pleasure to watch her interact with students you would just smile at how gentle, kind and supportive she was in connecting with each student and parent,” she added.

While Story is missed at the district pools, she hasn’t gone far. She now volunteers at the Pavillion, where she teaches kids ice hockey. Story has played since her 20s and she is enjoying the opportunity to pass on her puck-handling skills and knowledge to Bend’s youngest hockey players. With more time on her hands now, Story is also doing cross country skiing, yoga and downhill skiing this winter.

Story is also big into hiking and makes it a point to go for a hike at least once a day, no matter the weather conditions outside. Her hiking adventures aren’t limited to the Bend area. She has hiked in the Swiss Alps, England, Peru, the Grand Canyon and Alaska — many of these hikes with her father.

Looking ahead

But sports and coaching are also just one chapter in Story’s life and she is looking forward to another challenge. As she takes time to enjoy some hobbies she is also looking into taking classes at Central Oregon Community College to become a vet tech.

Veterinary science was of interest because Story had spent a lot of time recently at vet offices, due to declining health and hip issues of her own dog, a lab-shepherd mix named Sammy. He had to be put down but his trips to the vet to seek care put Story on a path to helping other animals in need.

“It was definitely a hard decision to leave the park district and leave my job,” she said. “I really enjoy being around kids and being around the aquatic world but I was looking for a second chapter in my life.”

While studying veterinary science may seem a departure from her career as a sports instructor, they both require similar core principles of care, compassion and building trust. Viewed through that lens, her experience at the pool and working with children and families will serve her well as she embarks on a new career as a vet tech.

Even though she’s not at the pool regularly, and her future is more likely on trails or at a veterinarian clinic, Story’s legacy appears cemented at Juniper and Larkspur pools. Glenn, the recreation facilities manager put it this way:

“The children of Bend learned to love the water, and be safe around the water because they loved Ann, her program and her commitment to community swim instruction,” said Glenn. “Her contributions to the Greater Bend Community will carry on for generations.”