Masters Swimming

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I will ocassionally receive email suggesting that I have never really explained what is a Masters Swimmer nor explained what Masters Swimming is really all about. This page is therefore dedicated to those who really want to know.

Masters refers to adults who are active in a sport. Competitions are held locally and state/country wide and participants compete against others within their own age group. The age groups span five year intervals starting with 25 (ie 25-29, 30-34, 35-39 etc) but in the US, the starting age is 19 (19-24).

There are many sports in which masters compete but swimming is the most popular and Masters swimming meets have been held in countries such as the US, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ since the '70s.

Holding Masters swimming meets has naturally resulted in the formation of National and World Masters swimming records. The World Masters Swimming Games started in 1984 and is now held every 2 years. All the regular strokes and distances are swam but there are no heats and finals; participants are simply seeded in an event with others of a similiar ability or age and the fastest times in each age group after all the heats have been swam take home the Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Masters swimming is not just about competition however since there are a great many number of Masters who do not compete but swim regularly to maintain their level of fitness. Swimming alone is no fun however and belonging to a team is what makes it all the worthwhile.

To find (or start) your nearest Masters Swimming team, either visit and enquire at the pools in your area (where there is water ....) and/or contact your local Swimming Association for information on registered clubs.
 

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