Masters Swimming is evolving like never before, and this year’s GoCardless Swim England Masters National Championships 2024 were a testament to that exciting progress! Held at the renowned Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield from October 25th to 27th, the event welcomed over 1,600 swimmers from across the country, including a robust representation from North East Masters clubs. Together, these clubs collected an incredible 145 medals, with 66 Gold, 50 Silver, and 30 Bronze medals to showcase their strength and dedication.

Record-Breaking Performances by North East Masters

North East Masters swimmers were unstoppable, achieving numerous British, European, and even World Records. Here are some standout highlights:

City of Sheffield’s Ian Swift broke the British record in the Open/Male 100m Breaststroke for the 50-54 age category with a phenomenal 1:06.48. He also earned a British record in the 200m Breaststroke with a time of 2:26.67 – breaking the 2:27.00 barrier for the first time.
In the Mixed 4x50m Freestyle Relay, a team from City of Sheffield – comprising Dawn Kissack, Jonathan Saunders, Lindsey Gaywood, and Andrew Moore – achieved a new world record with a time of 1:52.06, slashing six seconds off the previous record.
The Mixed 4×200 Freestyle Team (240yrs) from Harrogate – Karen Graham, Jo Beardsworth, Lyn Hughes & Nick Parkes – broke the British Record in a new time of 9:34.13 with a winning margin of over 45secs.

Relays Dominated by East Leeds

East Leeds Masters shone particularly bright in the relays, setting three new world records:

The Open/Male 4x50m Freestyle Relay 200+ Years team, featuring Alistair Crawford, Paul Clemence, David Emerson, and Chris Knee, finished in a remarkable 1:35.67, beating the previous record by almost two seconds.
The 100+ Years team followed suit, breaking a 15-year-old world record with a time of 1:30.57. The team – Jordan Cooley, Richard Ayre, Jeffrey Lo, and Samuel Lawman – demonstrated unmatched speed and skill.
In the Open/Male 4x100m Freestyle Relay, East Leeds’ 200+ age group (Crawford, Clemence, Emerson, and Knee) outdid the previous world record by seven seconds, clocking in at 3:38.78. Crawford also set an individual British record in the 100m Freestyle with a 51.58 on the opening leg.

More World-Class Performances

City of Sheffield’s 240+ years Mixed 4x100m Freestyle team added to the record books with a British record time of 4:14.22, finishing a remarkable 14 seconds ahead of their closest competitors.

York City’s Emma Wills stunned the audience with her individual record-breaking swim in the 800m Freestyle, clocking in at 9:19.46 in the 45-49 age category, shaving six seconds off the previous European record and breaking a mark held since 2009.

Harrogate’s Julie Hoyle, Joanne Beardsworth, Nuala Muir-Cochrane, and Karen Graham smashed the world record in the 240+ age group with a time of 9:46.31, slicing an impressive 23 seconds off the prior record in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay.

Closing the Championships with British Records

The Open/Male category saw more record-breaking as City of Sheffield’s team – Ken Flett, Jamie McHale, Ian Swift, and Paul Callis – set a new British record in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay with an 8:34.02 finish, surpassing a record held by East Leeds from two years prior.

Masters Swimming: A Movement That’s Growing Stronger

The 2024 Championships proved that Masters Swimming is on an exciting upward trajectory, with athletes continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. This event brought the North East clubs together to compete, celebrate, and set records, inspiring a new era for Masters Swimming in the region and beyond. We look forward to seeing where these swimmers’ passion and dedication will lead them next!