Macclesfield Masters

Macclesfield Masters Swimming club is a rarity in the world of swimming – a club solely devoted to masters’ swimming. We are not, as most masters clubs seem to be, a section of a larger all age club although we enjoy close links with other age group swimming clubs in the area.
It started formally in January 1987 when a number of swimmers who had been swimming together in public swim sessions in Bollington and the old Green Street baths in Macclesfield, decided to set up a Masters Club and affiliate to the ASA. The idea was to enter competitive teams into ASA rules galas and this they did with some distinction over the years.
Under the chairmanship of swimming stalwart, Herbie Webster, teams swam in galas from Southport to Bangor. The latter was always a favourite and strong squads, entered each year, for their Arfon Masters gala, met with great success battling out a number of close finishes in the top team stakes with the host club and taking up to 48 swimmers with us on one occasion. During the nineties we won this trophy on more than one occasion.

Individuals also entered national events such as the GB Nationals, European and World Championships. Swimmers can use international masters’ events to see the world and over the years some of our members, have done exactly that. Examples include Hilda Silcock, Dorothy Wilkie, Ewa Palmer and Margaret Rouse entering World and European championships from Perth (the Australian one) to Montreal, and various pools in Europe. Dorothy however did not have to travel further than Liverpool to capture the Women’s H age group world record for the 1500m freestyle in 1994. The normal training sessions were supplemented by some enthusiasts for a number of years by a week long training camp in Lanzarote.
Latterly the club has changed tack a little. While training is mainly targeted at competitive swimmers, we also welcome people who come with other aims such as just keeping fit, or as part of their training for other aquatic sports such as Water Polo, Triathlon, and Canoeing. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and well run club. We are currently working towards the Swim 21 award – the swimming quality kite mark and still retain the essential character established by our predecessors – swimming in public coached sessions which welcome new people who want to try an organised adult swim session and may be join us formally as they realise how enjoyable it is.