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MASTERS SECTION
Masters swimming is swimming for adults. To qualify as a 'masters' swimmer one needs only to be over 25 years of age, but there are also a number of competitions for younger adults above the age of 19.
Masters swimming began in the USA in the 1970s when some formerly 'elite' swimmers organised a competition for adult swimmers. The sport has now spread all over the world. But although there are World Championships at the top end the sport remains one in which all who want to compete can do so. The broad objectives of better health, better fitness, and the friendship between swimmers are paramount.
There are currently some 5,000 swimmers of masters age (25 and upward) registered with the Amateur Swimming Association. Competitive masters swimmers are well catered for at Hythe Aqua, with over 50 swimmers training regularly under the direction of the Masters Coach Tim Wiseman. Hythe Masters have taken the Top Club Trophy at the County championships for the last two years and are also East Kent Champions.
Masters competitions are held under the same rules as apply age group swimming, and races are as keenly contested. 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.
Hythe Aqua Masters train on Wednesday and Friday evenings at Hythe Pool South Road, Hythe. Sessions commence at 9.00pm. Please come along and talk to the coach as space is limited and we do have a waiting list for some lanes.
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| Debbie Burton Masters Swimmer
and Cross Country Mountain Bike Champion |
Debbie is a member of the Hythe Aqua Masters Swimming Team and also a top mountain bike specialist. Masters swimming is not only an excellent sport in its own right but also provides an excellent training platform for other sports.
Debbie is pictured after taking part in the gruelling Marin winter Series cross country mountain bike race. The Marin Winter series comprised four individual races at different venues in the Thetford area, between Nov '07 to Feb '08.
Each race was capped at 500 riders, (sold out well in advance due to its popularity across the country), of which around 30 were ladies over age 18, racing with me through the forest, with a 2 hour cut off, to get the most and fastest 6-7 mile laps. A few of the 500 were mad enough to do the 4 hour version.
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The series win was decided on the best 3 results of the 4 races and was closely contested in the 2 hour ladies category. With myself and 3 or 4 young whippersnappers in the running, it was anyone's series, all hinging on the result of the final round. Thankfully on the day I managed to clinch it.
Though I don't swim or ride as much as I'd like, the two disciplines seem to work well with each other. I'm not sure how the biking helps the swimming, other than base fitness, but I'm sure swimming helps with breathing in bike races.
As relatively few ladies race mountain bikes at a national level, (especially as they get more mature!) I have been lucky enough to enjoy success at various races across the country over the last 10 years or so. The courses are not always as flat as Thetford!
Debbie Burton |
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