The Masters Swimming MENU

INTRODUCTION

We have a range of swimming activities to suit all members:

· Competition Events

· Aerobic Swims

· Swim Training

· Swim Coaching

Competition

If competition is what you are looking for, then we have all the competition you need. From Club competition, to Interclub, State, National and World competition, we cater for all levels.

Members enjoy the competition as it can help:

· Improve your performance level;

· Bring together members with similar interests and goals;

· Provide you with the opportunity to make new friends;

· Offers such rewards as certificates of participation, competition medals, State, National and World Records.

Most Clubs in Queensland host an interclub meet each year, and the Branch also hosts State Short Course, Long Course and Open Water Swim events. We also manage the swim section of the Pan Pacific Games that are held every second year on the Gold Coast. In previous years (1987 and 1994), we have also hosted the World Masters Games Event, so if competition is what interests you, we can provide all the competition you need.

When you attend a swim meet:

· You will compete in a mixed age, mixed gender event with other people of similar ability (this is based on nominated times for the event);

· Your results are sorted by gender and age on computer and then graded into the respective 5 year age group;

· Age groups for individual events are defined in 5 year increments, ie 20 to 24yrs, 25 to 29yrs etc. up to 95 to 99 years;

· ge groups for relay events are defined in 40 year increments, ie 80 to 119 years, 120 to 159 years etc;

· At any meet, you only have to swim each event once. There are no preliminary heats and no qualifying times. Most swim meets will have a range of events to choose from, and each competitor is usually permitted to swim up to 5 or 6 of these events;

· Competition is available to all members, regardless of ability.

Why not visit our Branch webpage www.qldmastersswimming.org.au or our National webpage www.mastersswimming.org.au to get a glimpse at all the swim meets that are happening or are being planned for the current calendar year.

Aerobic & Training Sessions

For those of you who are thinking that at the moment, competition is not for you then you will be happy to know that not all of our members wish to compete at swim meets. Rather, they prefer to attend training sessions or aerobic sessions that are arranged by their club.

Fitness is our primary objective for all members and one that can benefit you as a new member to the organization. Longer slower swimming (aerobic swimming) helps to elevate the heart rate for an extended period, which in turn contributes to weight control and muscle toning. You can actually compete without competing at swim meets. Yes, we have a program whereby if your time for a certain swim is recognized at competitive level, your details will be included in our Top Ten (Swim Time) information.

Even if you do not think you will qualify for that level of distinction, your swim information will be recorded (if you wish) and be included in your Club’s aerobic records. Each year, the aerobic swims are collated for each Club and points awarded for the most number of swims recorded.

Even if you think you are a slow swimmer, each swim helps your Club in generating points that will be recorded and collated to determine the Club that has amassed the largest aggregate Aerobic points for that year.

Masters Swimming presents Branch and National trophies to the respective Clubs that have accumulated the highest aerobics points and also to the Clubs that have averaged the most points per registered swimmer.

For those swimmers who record their swims, we have a special reward for you. Special polo shirts, windcheaters and jackets presented to those members who achieve accumulated aerobic distances of more than 1,000,000 metres. This may sound an incredibly long distance but most members can achieve that within a few years.

Each and every swim you do (including training sessions, coaching sessions and aerobics sessions) can be added to your log book. You will be surprised at the distance you will swim each week and month. It is a great incentive to maintain a swim program and hence a level of fitness.

So, no matter how good (or bad) a swimmer you think you are, your Club will benefit.

Swim Coaching

Coaching sessions are available at most Clubs but if your Club does not have a resident Coach, then we have catered for that as well. Coaching clinics are held throughout the year, and they are spread throughout the State. Visit our website calendar to check the dates for the next coaching session.

These clinics are designed to help improve your stroke style, your training regime and nutritional intake. Both water and land exercises are included as part of every coaching clinic.

For those who would like to become a Coach, we conduct coaching courses for Masters Swimmers each year. So, no matter what you are looking for in the area of coaching, we can satisfy your needs.