Newbury District Swimming Club has provided opportunities for swimmers in the local area for decades.
Much of the club’s activity focuses around young people, with its coaching programme for four to ten year olds as popular as ever.
Of the club’s 200 members, it’s estimated that 90% are under the age of sixteen, with young people learning a vital skill and a enjoying a sport which will last them all their lives.
But what happens when adulthood comes around?
Club member Dave Milburn gave us a look inside the Masters Squad, NDSC’s team for those aged eighteen and upwards.
Newbury District Swimming Club has provided opportunities for swimmers in the local area for decades.
“I’ve been a member since 1999, so 26 years,” he said.
“I got involved because my son joined at the lower levels.
“I very quickly got chatting with the coaches and I became a volunteer coach.
“In 2010 the coach of the Masters section moved on, so I offered to step in and I ran it for ten years.”
Masters swimming competitions are officially for those aged from 25 all the way up to 90+.
Competitions are split into five year age bands, and most also include an 18-24 Senior category.
Newbury’s squad is open to anyone over eighteen, providing a chance to keep fit and remain competitive.
Milburn with gold in 2017
“Anyone can become a masters swimmer,” he said.
“You don’t have to be of a really high standard to compete, it’s open to all.
“In the UK we have National Championships each year and there are records and medals for each age band.”
Masters swimming prides itself on inclusivity, offering something for everyone and a friendly atmosphere.
“We have some competitive swimmers, open water swimmers, triathletes,” he said.
“But half the reason people go to masters events is for the friendship and the social side.
“A lot of the people who join masters are people who might have swam many years ago and want to gain some fitness,” he said.
“We have a real mixture of speeds and abilities.
“Each lane has different levels, so you can find one which suits you.
“We have a range of morning sessions available and dedicated sessions in the evenings.”
Newbury District Swimming Club has provided opportunities for swimmers in the local area for decades.
Milburn knows just how far masters swimming can take you.
In 2022 he broke the masters British, European and World 50m breaststroke records for the 60-64 band.
He set British records in the 100m and 200m events too, and still holds the world record over 50m.
“I still cover some masters sessions,” he said.
“If I’m poolside it’s not unusual for swimmers to ask for some advice on their stroke.
“I currently hold three British records, but at the moment I’m at the end of my age band.
“So my last big year was 2022.”
Milburn on that record breaking day in 2022
Swimmers can take masters competition as far as they want to, with local and national events frequently run throughout the season.
“There’s a mixture of events run by other clubs over the course of the year,” he said.
“In the autumn we have County Championships, twice a year we have South-East Regional Championships.
“Back in 2016 Britain hosted the European Championships and they hosted us at the Olympic Pool.
“We had about ten swimmers from our club who went along. For many of them it was their first experience at that level.”
Anyone interested in giving masters swimming a go is encouraged to visit the website at tinyurl.com/3wnvnpeb
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Publish date : 2025-02-17 02:55:00
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