The Masters swimming year has like the main stream swimmers, short and long course competitions. There are local, County, District, National and International with the European and World Championships alternating by years. This year the European Championships will be held in Slavonia in September. There is also the well-established BWSC Masters home meet usually held on the first Saturday in March each year, this is a truly well run event with Masters targeting it from all over the country, it also generates income for the club as a whole.

We have already had the Long Course District event held in January, our now annual visit to the Isle of Wight at the beginning of February where BWSC retained the Top Club Trophy and as mentioned already the BWSC Masters event. This years was a first to include a new Trophy in Mike Daniell’s name for the 200m Butterfly and a special 4x25m Butterfly relay.

Next in the calendar will be the Long Course Nationals being held in Plymouth in June, the Counties, Districts and Europeans in September then the Nationals in October.

Many clubs look to BWSC with a touch of envy/jealousy as we are very fortunate to have a Level 4 dedicated Masters Coach, Jim Dobinson, who not only puts us through what seems to be a tough swimming programme (it is what we need), but who goes to all our competitions which is not usual in the world of Masters.

As the year progresses, we will provide updates how we are doing.

Life in the pool does not stop after age group swimming.