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Masters swimming is swimming for adults. It encompasses the whole range of ability from casual fitness swimming to highly organised competitive swimming. A 'masters' swimmer needs only to be over 25 years of age, but there are also a number of competitions that incorporate events for younger adults above the age of 19.
Masters competitions are organised in 5-year age bands, from 25-29 and upwards -and upwards as required. The oldest age group result so far in the 101-104 group! Most competitions also include a 19-24 or 20-24 group.
click here for link to welsh masters wasa info
click here for info on British masters swimming
Competitive masters swimmers are catered for by various meets arranged by the WASA and some clubs. These are keenly contested and are usually very friendly events. For those who wish to travel there are British, European and World Championships.It is not always necessary to travel to compete. The WASA also holds a postal swim at present.
Masters competitions are held under the same rules as apply in mainstream swimming, and races are as keenly contested. But there is always an informal air. Only very large international events such as the World Championships at present need to impose (modest) qualifying standards. Everyone who wants to take part is welcome. Competitions are almost always seeded on the basis of ability, and therefore no matter what standard you have reached it is likely that you will be in the pool with people of similar ability.
There are 2 Welsh events per year, the Open meet, held the first weekend in March, which is long course (50-metre pool) and includes the whole range of 17 recognised long course events (50, 100, and 200 metres of each stroke, 400, 800, and 1500 freestyle, and 200 and 400 individual medley. Additionally there are male, female, and mixed relays swum over 4 x 50 metres)., and the Closed meet which is short course and held on the first Saturday in November. The British masters championships are held in June over a long course.
There is no Masters Club in the Bridgend area at present, although there are a number of Masters Swimmers who regularly compete at local, national and international events for Bridgend County Swim Squad. Training is undertaken in various sessions including the senior club squad, lifeguard clubs, triathlon club and adult lengths sessions at the borough's 5 pools.
For more information about Masters Swimming in the Bridgend area, contact ceriandjeff@yahoo.co.uk or garfieldt@btinternet.com
Fixtures
: Welsh Masters Open Meet (29th Feb - 2nd March
click here for draft programme
:Welsh Capital Masters Swim Meet (Sat 10th May)
click here for information
:Gloucester masters open meet (20th April)
click here for information
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