National – Centenary Year (1988) – GB Masters Championship

Great Britain Masters Championships

4/6 November, Dundee

The Masters (25 years and over) Movement was the fastest growing aspect of the whole Aquatic programme. Competitions were flourishing at all levels from Local to World Championships. This event  involved both the stars of yesteryear along with many new converts.

Masters events combine both intense and friendly rivalry which create a good social atmosphere amongst competitors from all walks of life. Apart from fitness and health benefits there is an opportunity to renew friendships from earlier years.

Scotland has been in the forefront of Masters swimming development.

In 1980 at Greenock, the first Scottish Masters Championships were held and proved a resounding success with 17 former Olympic Champions taking part, such as John Naber, 1976 Olympic Backstroke Champion from the USA, Murray Rose, 1960 Olympic 400m Free Style Champion from Australia, Notabuka Taguchi of Japan, 1972 Olympic 100m Breaststroke Champion, Duncan Goodhew, 1980 Olympic 100m Breaststroke Champion and of course David Wilkie, 1976 Olympic 200m Breaststroke Champion to mention some of the stars.

The first ever GB Masters Championship took place in Wales in 1987 at Afan Lido, Port Talbot. Short Course (25m) has always been the most popular with Masters in general and there was a big entry. The Dundee Leisure Centre had all the peripheral facilities to make it an ideal venue as well as a long swimming tradition.