Masters
Swimming does not stop just
because you start work or start a family. Around the world one of the
fastest growing sports is Master Swimming. In swimming terms a Master is
any swimmer who has reached his/her 25th birthday (20 in some countries).
The ability range is wide and
varies from those who are in serious training to those who enjoy a more
‘social’ swim once a week. A full membership fee is payable for
Masters.
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 is in the 100-1-4 group!
Some competitions also include a 19-24 or 20-24 group.
Like Age Group
swimming, there are friendly meets as well as the more serious meets.
There are
two national championships each year. The British masters championships
are held in June over a long course (50-metre pool), and include 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). The ASA (English) championships, normally held in
October over a 25-metre course, include all of these events plus the 100
metres individual medley.
The many club
meets include only a proportion of the standard events, typically only the 50s
and 100s and a 100 Individual Medleys and relays.
Unlike
mainstream swimming, masters competitions rarely impose a qualifying
standard, so if you wish to take part in a masters event you can … you
simply join a club and send in your entry. 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.
Training as a Master is
different from club to club. AT KRSC there is a dedicated Masters section
and the Club supports the Masters in County, Regional, National, European and
even World Championships in which we have a strong and successful record in both
individual and relay events (yes…World Champions!). However do not feel
that KRSC is an elite club. Like most clubs we thrive on our depth and
ability.
Masters Swimming sessions are open to fitness swimmers, triathletes and those
wishing to represent the club in masters competitions. Sessions are of 75 or 90
minutes duration and schedules are typically between 2.5km and 4.5 km and cover
all strokes. Sessions are coached. Thursday is our main session.
Masters Training
Sessions
To swim with the KRSC Masters you must join the club at an annual membership
fee. For new members joining in the second half of the year the fee
will be reduced in the 3rd and 4th quarters respectively.
Sessions are invoiced per quarter beginning (1st Jan; 1st April; 1st July;
1st October).
Ad hoc sessions are charged at £5.00 each session for members or £6.00 per
session for non-members who wish to try before joining (max 6 sessions).
For those wishing to compete for the club the ASA Fee is also payable
We look forward to welcoming you at one of our sessions.
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