Masters Swimming Victoria is about promoting swimming in a fit, healthy and fun way.
Masters Swimming is the best kept secret around!
When you join Masters Swimming Victoria club, you are linking up with a group of like-minded people who may, or may not, be into swimming fast; but are into getting fit, and enjoying every minute of it.
If you are 18 years of age or older and like swimming, we can introduce you to one of our clubs.
So what is Masters Swimming?
Masters Swimming is an organisation for members to enjoy the exercise of swimming under the guidance of qualified coaches. Some swimmers join masters simply for the fitness and friendship, others join for the competition available through the many swim meets conducted throughout the State and Australia.
Masters Swimming Australia (MSA) is an organisation for adult swimming clubs around Australia. Masters Swimming Victoria (MSV) is affiliated with Masters Swimming Australia whose members swim regularly to keep fit and have fun. Masters Swimming Australia is affiliated with FINA, the international swimming body through Swimming Australia. The motto of Masters Swimming is “Fitness, Friendship and Fun”.
Around the country, we have over 200 clubs with over 6500 members.
Most members swim two to three times per week for fitness and health, it’s certainly not all about competition. The beauty is you can make of it what you want. Set yourself a goal and go for it!
If you like to compete in swim meets, there are plenty of inter-club meets each year plus there are fun pop-up events. Some swimmers sign up to a Masters Swimming Victoria club to get ready for an ocean swim, and then stay on because it’s fun, social and good for their health. Some members love to race and step up to the challenge of competing in the World Masters Swimming championships – so you can indulge your passion as you travel the world!
But you don’t have to be a superstar swimmer – it’s about staying in shape, meeting like-minded fitness buddies and enjoying the experience. Everyone is most welcome to come and try!
Find your neighbourhood club here
Why join Masters Swimming?
Experience and data shows that few people have enough drive to exercise regularly by themselves. Masters Swimming provides this opportunity through a network of clubs, where people with similar objectives can meet, talk, swim together, encourage one another and make new friends.
How good do you have to be to join a Masters Swimming club?
Masters Swimming Victoria’s program is designed for everyone, from those who can only just swim to the experienced swimmer. Everyone is welcome. It is a good idea to “try” a club before you actually join to make sure that you feel comfortable during the sessions.
What benefits are there in swimming?
Experts state that swimming is one of the most effective forms of exercise for:
- Improving aerobic fitness
- Resisting coronary disease
- Lowering blood pressure
- Relaxing after the tensions of work
- Improving muscle tone, posture and general physical appearance
Swimming is ideal for those who fear that age or ill-health prevents them from participating in more vigorous sports or exercises. When swimming, your body is supported by the water, so there is no excessive stress on any one set of muscles.
Does MSV host competitions?
Masters Swimming Victoria hosts four competitions a year. While members can also participate in a number of Interclub events hosted by MSV clubs each year.
As you improve, you may decide to swim for your club in competitions. These are really time trials with the results being divided into five-year age groups from 18-24 through to 90 years plus. Events are conducted for all four strokes, medleys and teams (including mixed teams). The ten best times for each event and age group in Australia are published annually (National Top Ten), establishing a standard for all swimmers to measure their performance.
What sort of activities do the MSV clubs run?
Clubs swim regularly. Most clubs swim at least once or twice a week. All groups offer help and encouragement in improving your swimming technique and training program.
Clubs will often have a social event either on a regular club night, or on competition days. Many clubs have refreshments after club night or a “Happy Hour” or BBQ once a month. After interclub swims, the host club will organise a get-together. Most of us regard our swimming as a social activity!
What are the alternatives to keeping fit with masters swimming but not racing competitively?
Just as important as swimming against others is the opportunity to see your fitness and your times improve. To encourage swimmers of all standards, Masters Swimming Australia has award certificates that are achievable for everyone by virtue of effort over a period of time.
To encourage annual improvement as a team activity , the Vorgee Endurance 1000 Program awards the National Club Pointscore Trophy to encourage participation by all club members, regardless of ability. These swims are a good aerobic workout and everyone is a winner.
The Vorgee Million Metre Program is also run to acknowledge progress from the “learn to swim” beginner to the distance swimmer. These awards are intended to stimulate members to strive for greater fitness, accumulate the distances swum and are open to all registered members of Masters Swimming Australia.
What is happening outside of Masters Swimming Victoria?
Each Branch holds its own competitions and every year the National Championships are conducted on a rotational basis. This event is open to all members and is not to be missed!
For those with the time and the means, regular tours are organised to other countries where other Masters Swimmers are active. Any member can join these tours, regardless of swimming ability, provided they are taking an active role in their club activities.
How do I go about joining a Masters Swimming Victoria club?
Browse the Clubs Information section to find the nearest club in your locality. The contact person listed can give you further information about joining; or contact the Masters Swimming Victoria office to obtain more details.