Masters Swimming Competition

By Val

@valmnz (17099)

New Zealand

August 3, 2022 1:23pm CST

I know it may sound strange to many of you, but I am a regular competitor at Masters swimming competitions. And yes, that is me in the photo above, swimming at a Masters swim meet nearly three years ago, pre-covid days. For those who are not familiar with Masters sports, they are for older people. In swimming there are still swimmers competing in the 90+ years age group. I confess, I'm in the 70-74 age group and still going strong. There hasn't been a lot to compete in during the covid years, but my swim team are off to a swim meet in a few weeks time. I'm quite excited. Consequently I'm back training three to four times a week, as compared with only twice a week over the last two years. I'm writing this before I go off to this morning's swim. A swim session for me can be quite intense, usually from between 1600m to 2000m. But I love it, and I still love competing. I swim with others twice a week, and on my own for the others. The best thing about a morning training session though is having coffee with my friends after. the swim.

22 people like this

21 responses

@RebeccasFarm (86754)

• United States

3 Aug 22

Oh Val you must be very fit!! I adore swimming!! More power to you mate.

3 people like this

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@RebeccasFarm (86754)

• United States

3 Aug 22

@valmnz I really admire you..I used be so fit too Val.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

@RebeccasFarm I'll do it for as lng as I can.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

3 Aug 22

Thanks. It's something I love doing. Masters sports are so popular worldwide now.

3 people like this

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@misunderstood_zombie (8142)

• United States

4 Aug 22

This is so cool that you swim competitively, and you have your friends with you.

3 people like this

@sjvg1976 (41131)

• Delhi, India

4 Aug 22

It's not easy to swim at this age as it requires lots of stamina.

4 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

@sjvg1976 I've been swimming all my life and train hard even now. We have an amazing Masters swim group with ages ranging from 33 to 90!

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

@misunderstood_zombie it is my passion

2 people like this

@kaylachan (57669)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

3 Aug 22

I am glad you are enjoying it, and it's great that something like that is available.

2 people like this

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@kaylachan (57669)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

4 Aug 22

@valmnz That's a good thing.

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

3 Aug 22

Masters sports are really popular all around the world now.

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@thelme55 (76476)

• Germany

9 Aug 22

Wow! Awesome! I wish you good luck for the competition. How I wish I can swim well.

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

10 Aug 22

Thanks Thelma. Swimming is something I love.

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@thelme55 (76476)

• Germany

11 Aug 22

@valmnz You are welcome. Swimming is a healthy sport.

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Aug 22

You are such an inspiration my friend. Good for you. You go girl!

2 people like this

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

5 Aug 22

@CarolDM that changes from time to time!

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

Thank you. I nearly gave up during COVID but am pleased to be back on track.

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@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Aug 22

@valmnz You are a very strong lady.

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@Beestring (13320)

• Hong Kong

4 Aug 22

That's wonderful. This is the first time I heard of Masters sports. They are inspiring.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

They are actually a worldwide movement. You may even find some in your own country.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

5 Aug 22

@Beestring You're welcome.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (13320)

• Hong Kong

5 Aug 22

@valmnz I'll check it out. Thanks.

1 person likes this

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@celticeagle (159056)

• Boise, Idaho

3 Aug 22

Good for you! You are a lot more energetic than I am. I am 70. I wish I had kept up on swimming more. Nowadays I think it would help my arthritis.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

3 Aug 22

I've been competing on and off since I was 11. I think there's chlorine in my blood

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@celticeagle (159056)

• Boise, Idaho

3 Aug 22

@valmnz ........Sounds like there might be.

1 person likes this

@allknowing (130066)

• India

4 Aug 22

I used to enjoy reading your posts on your swimming prowess How are you doing these days?

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

Just starting back into competition after two years of no competition during covid. First meet coming up in about six weeks. i'm training well.

@sjvg1976 (41131)

• Delhi, India

4 Aug 22

That's great! At the age of 74 years, it's not easy to swim as it requires lots of energy and stamina. Here I dont find people of that age so fit to do that.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

There are a lot of people in New Zealand competing in Masters sports, not only swimming. Our oldest team member has just turned 90

@wolfgirl569 (95190)

• Marion, Ohio

4 Aug 22

Hope you guys win.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

This will be a fun meet clled The Spring Fling, so goodness knows what fun is ahead. It's not for bout another six weeks.

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@JudyEv (325758)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Aug 22

That's great that you're still competing and still loving it. I hope you do well.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

Thanks, this one coming up is just a fun meet, but I'm looking forward to serious competition next year.

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@Shiva49 (26202)

• Singapore

4 Aug 22

Inspiring, but a hard act to follow for me though! Best of luck.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

I've been swimming all my life. It's other things I find difficult

1 person likes this

@AliCanary (3045)

•

4 Aug 22

I love to swim! And it's a fairly safe activity, as people aren't so close and chlorine is an antiviral.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Aug 22

My swim team joke about the chlorine effect!It can get pretty crowded in a lane sometimes.

1 person likes this

Paula Tranchina

@Ganma7 (3664)

•

5 Aug 22

Very impressive and very good! You must be very strong & work hard at this

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

5 Aug 22

It's a challenge I enjoy.

@Jenaisle (14078)

• Philippines

5 Aug 22

Wow, that's awesome I'm only in my 60s and I don't think I could meet the challenge of swimming competitions. You're healthy and strong to be able to compete. Twice a week could be tiresome for me, and I have usually muscle cramps as well, so I can't make this a hobby. Good luck in your future competitions.

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61047)

• United States

10 Aug 22

I remember you talking about competitions before and I am in complete awe.

@jstory07 (134460)

• Roseburg, Oregon

3 Aug 22

That is great that you are still swimming. I love swimming.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

3 Aug 22

It's something I've always done. I love the competition and friendship.

@xFiacre (12597)

• Ireland

3 Aug 22

@valmnz Glad to see you’re still going strong and enjoying it. I haven’t been able to get to either a pool or the sea for quite some time.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

3 Aug 22

@xFiacre I came close to giving up during the covid lack of competition, but yes, definitely going strong again!

@Marilynda1225 (79731)

• United States

5 Aug 22

That's amazing that you are a competitor swimmer. I bet it's exhilarating

@RubyHawk (99425)

• Atlanta, Georgia

3 Aug 22

That’s wonderful. Congratulations, I enjoy swimming but I’m not an expert. Our complex pools are closed this summer. They were putting a new pump in one yesterday. I hope they open before summers over.

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