The inspirational story of a group of impoverished children who were transformed into champion swimmers. In 1937 an ordinary grammar school teacher on the island of Maui took a group of underprivileged children, mostly of Japanese ancestry, and in three short years transformed them into Olympic champions.

Part one: Such stuff as dreams (1932-1937). To race with giants ; Hardhead ; A wide awakening ; The pursuit of greater ventures -- Part two: On such a sea (1938). An exercise of will ; Owing to the protracted hostilities ; Keeping 1940 in mind all the time -- Part three: Taken at the flood (1939). Down under ; Youths of the sea ; The coup -- Part four: A tide in the affairs of men (1940-1941). A season of flame ; Santa Barbara ; Mr. Smith comes to Maui ; Blitzkrieg -- Part five: Fall seven times, get up eight (nana korobi, ya oki) (1944-1948). Go for broke ; Home front ; Detroit, redux (1948) ; Goals and sacrifices.