How to Become a Master’s Swimmer

Last Updated on November 6, 2022 by admin

In this article, we will provide advice, hacks and tips on how to become a master’s swimmer.

Masters swimming is all about enjoyment, improving your stroke, while also improving your health and fitness.

• Most master’s sections operate in a friendly, social, but competitive manner.
• Master’s swimmers tend to take their swimming seriously, but themselves not too seriously.
• Master’s swimming attracts ex-competitive swimmers, good swimmers, those who enjoy swimming and those who wish to improve their swimming.

Affiliate Links: Our articles and posts may contain affiliate links, to products we use and recommend. If you buy something through one of these links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll receive a small commission, which helps keep us in the water. Many thanks.

Joining a swimming club

The best way to become a master’s swimmer is to join a swimming club. Many swimming clubs have a separate master’s section.

• Many national swimming associations have information regarding how to find a swimming club, with a master’s section.
• If you already know of a local swimming club, then the first point of contact is usually via the club’s website.
• Your local swimming pool may also be able to provide some information.

Before making any commitment to joining a club, it pays to do some research, to ensure that you choose the right type of club for your needs.

• Master’s sections have varying selection criteria. Some clubs allow social swimmers, while some clubs only allow those who wish to compete. Some clubs also provide a list of the equipment swimmers will need on joining (see details below).

The age at which swimmers can join a master’s section can vary.

• Some clubs allow swimmers to start at 18 years, some at 19 years, and others start at 25 years.
• There is no upper age limit in masters swimming, with many swimmers continuing to train and compete in their 80s, and some even older!

Master’s training

Many master’s sections have their own dedicated coach.

• Having a dedicated coach is the most effective way of improving a swimmer’s fitness and technique.
• A coach can provide a structured and progressive training session. They can observe your swimming technique and provide expert feedback, advice and tips.

There are many advantages to swimming in a group of similar swimmers.  For example

• Having other swimmers to share the training experience can be a great way of coping with a particularly tough set or difficult drill.
• Sharing the same swimming experiences with their training squad or teammates often leads to many long-term friendships.
• Swimmers often share tips and information with any new or less experienced swimmers.

Open swimmers & triathletes

Many open water swimmers and triathletes become a master’s swimmer to enhance their training programmes.

• In fact, many master’s sections enter open water events (see competition below)

The benefits of being a master’s swimmer

Master’s swimming for some, has many direct rewards such as medals, records and personal best times.

• But perhaps more rewarding than these are the many health, fitness, psychological and social benefits attached to the sport. For example.

The health & fitness benefits of master’s swimming

An introduction to a healthy lifestyle

Many become a master’s swimmer because it introduces them to an active and healthy lifestyle, which includes the development of a healthy diet.

• Master’s swimmers develop a better understanding of the health benefits of proper nutrition and hydration and often make other lifestyle choices such as abstaining from smoking and limiting their alcohol consumption.

Related articles on swimming nutrition and hydration

We have produced related articles, providing advice, hacks, tips and examples, on both swimming nutrition and hydration. You can view it by clicking these links: swimming nutrition | swimming hydration.

Developing a high level of fitness

Swimming is one of the most effective sports for developing a high level of physical fitness and endurance. For example.

Developing energy levels

Swimming regularly can help boost energy levels through an increased metabolic rate.

Developing the cardiovascular system

Swimming is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise, that helps develop the swimmer’s cardiovascular system, which includes the heart, lungs, and circulatory system.

Weight control

Swimming burns a lot of calories and therefore, is a very effective way of controlling a swimmer’s weight.

Developing muscular and skeletal growth

Swimming develops and maintains muscular and skeletal growth.

• This is a result of swimmers being required to apply a consistently high level of resistance against the water, using all of their major muscle groups.
• By swimming regularly master’s swimmers improve their bone mineral density which can help prevent osteoporosis.

Improving balance

As well as developing muscular and skeletal growth (see above) by applying a consistently high level of resistance against the water, not only strengthens muscles, but also improves the swimmer’s balance.

Improving flexibility

Swimming improves a swimmer’s flexibility by engaging all of their major muscle joints and lengthening their muscles.

Developing coordination

Swimming can help develop a swimmer’s coordination, as it requires some complex muscle movements of all parts of the body.

Low impact exercise

Swimming is a low-impact exercise, which is a lot easier on the swimmer’s body, and if performed correctly, is almost injury-free.

• Because swimming is low impact, it can be a great way to exercise for those with certain injuries and disabilities.
• Swimming can also benefit those with other conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

Helping to improve sleep

As people get older many find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. As with other forms of regular exercise, swimming can help the participant to destress and relax, which can lead to an improved quantity and quality of sleep.

Lowering the risk of disease

As with other forms of regular exercise, swimming can help to guard against heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Slowing down the ageing process

The many health benefits associated with swimming can collectively slow down the ageing process, as many of the growing ranks of master’s swimmers will testify.

The psychological benefits of master’s swimming

Master’s swimming can provide several psychological benefits. These include:

Improving wellbeing

Swimming like most forms of exercise releases hormones called endorphins in the brain, which can improve a swimmer’s sense of well-being, making them feel positive and happy

Managing stress

By releasing endorphins, swimming can also be a great way of relieving stress and anxiety.

Improving memory & thinking

As with some other forms of regular exercise, swimming can reduce inflammation and insulin resistance in the brain, which develops new brain cell growth.

• This, in turn, can improve a swimmer’s memory and reasoning abilities.

The social benefits of master’s swimming

Master’s swimming can provide several social benefits. These include:

Building confidence

Swimmers often develop a growing sense of confidence and self-esteem as their training makes them fitter, more skilful and quicker.

• A swimmer’s growing confidence often transfers itself to many non-swimming activities.

Developing friendship

Sharing the same swimming experiences with their training squad or teammates often leads to many long-term friendships.

Having fun

Master’s swimming can be a lot of fun.

• For many master’s swimmers, their training sessions are some of the highlights of their week.
• It’s where they get a chance to exercise, destress, catch up with their swimming buddies and generally have a good time.

Master’s swimming competition

Many become a master’s swimmer because they enjoy the thrill of competition.

• There are many opportunities for master’s swimmers to compete, with many events being held at local, regional, national and international levels.

Master’s competition format

Many master’s competitions do not impose a qualifying standard. However, each participating swimmer will be required to provide an entry time.

• If it’s the first time you have entered a competition, your coach should be able to provide you with an entry time based on your times in training.

Most master’s competitions, although divided into age groups as far as medals and awards are concerned, the swimming heats for each event are divided by the entry time submitted by the swimmers.

• The slowest 6/8 swimmers in the first heat, the next 6/8 swimmers in the next heat, all the way through to the 6/8 fastest swimmers, who compete in the final heat.
• This means a very good older swimmer could be in the same heat as a swimmer younger than them.
• Most master’s galas/meets are in a heat-declared winner format, where once the event is completed, all the results from all the heats are collated and the fastest swimmers in each age group will be declared the winner.
• For more senior competitions some events are swum differently, with the swimmers required to swim in a heat first, in order to qualify for a final.

Swimming equipment

Listed below are the types of swimming equipment some master’s sections may require a new member to have on joining. Please check with the club first. These include

Fins/Flippers

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Competitive swimmers tend to use short fins. Using fins or flippers is a great way of introducing swimmers to new activities. They are also great for developing kicking technique, strength, and speed. Fins/flippers are also useful for developing a swimmer’s speed when using them as a part of assisted swimming activities. Training programmes tend to divide their kicking activities into 50% with fins/flippers and 50% without.

Coach Arthur says: “A lot of our swimmers use the Cressi Light Fins. They find these light, comfortable and ideal for kicking training”.

We have included an Amazon affiliate link to the Cressi Light Fins. If you buy this via this link, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll receive a small commission, which helps keep us in the water. Many thanks.

Goggles

Used to allow swimmers to have a clear view underwater, also to stop water splashing in the swimmer’s eyes and to stop chlorine from making the swimmer’s eyes sore. Available in many varieties, some for training, others for competition and some goggles can be used for both.

Hand Paddles

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are large hand paddles which are great for developing strength and endurance. The medium size hand paddles are used for developing the strength and endurance of younger or less experienced swimmers.

Coach Arthur says: “A lot of our swimmers use a Speedo Tech Paddle. They find these the ideal hand paddles for resistance training”. These come in three sizes, small, medium and large.

We have included an Amazon affiliate link to the Speedo Tech Paddle. If you buy this via this link, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll receive a small commission, which helps keep us in the water. Many thanks.

Kickboard

A flat tablet of foam or other buoyant material is used to isolate the swimmer’s legs for specific leg kick training. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes these are an essential piece of kit for developing kicking technique, strength and speed. As a general rule the larger the kickboard the more buoyant they are. So competitive swimmers, tend to use smaller kickboards.

Coach Arthur says: “A lot of our swimmers use a Speedo Kickboard, which is of a good quality and size, with handgrips”.

We have included an Amazon affiliate link to the Speedo Kickboard. If you buy this via this link, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll receive a small commission, which helps keep us in the water. Many thanks.

Pull Buoy

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are essential for developing pulling technique, strength and speed. As a general rule the larger the pull buoy the more buoyant they are. So competitive swimmers, tend to use smaller pull buoys.

Coach Arthur says: “A lot of our swimmers use a FINIS foam pull buoy. They find this ideal for resistance training”. These come in two sizes, one for seniors and the other for juniors.

We have included an Amazon affiliate link to the FINIS foam pull buoy. If you buy this via this link, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll receive a small commission, which helps keep us in the water. Many thanks.

Snorkel

A great piece of equipment for allowing the swimmer to concentrate on their technique without having to worry about their need for oxygen. There are two types of snorkel, the traditional side-fitting snorkel and the front (central) fitting snorkel, which is the most common type used by competitive swimmers, particularly for freestyle and butterfly training.

Swim Hat/Cap

A rubberised/latex ‘scull’ cap is used by swimmers during training and competition. Swim hats/caps in club colours are expected to be worn during competition.

Swimming Suits & Trunks

These have seen more technological change than any other. There are now a great variety of suits and trunks for both training and competition.

Water/Drinks Bottle

The receptacle for holding a swimmer’s drink. A standard-size sports water bottle holds 500 ml of fluid. 500ml is the amount a swimmer should drink per hour of training.

Coach Arthur says: “A lot of our swimmers use the Zoggs Sports Aqua Bottle, it holds a litre of fluid, enough for a two-hour training session”.

We have included an Amazon affiliate link to the Zoggs Sports Aqua Bottle. If you buy this via this link, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll receive a small commission, which helps keep us in the water. Many thanks.

Safety first

For anyone wishing to undertake any exercise programme, we advise consulting a healthcare professional beforehand, to ensure it is safe to do so.

Takeaways

Becoming a master’s swimmer is all about enjoying your swimming, and improving your stroke, while also improving your health and fitness. Most master’s sections operate in a friendly, social, but competitive manner. Most master’s swimmers tend to take their swimming seriously, but themselves not too seriously. So, what are you waiting for? Go on, become a master’s swimmer today, I’ll guarantee you’ll enjoy it!

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