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Rykneld
Masters swimming group first hit the water with a splash in the
summer of 1997. A small band of parents decided that instead of
moaning at the poor performance of their offspring, they would join
in their own small way by forming a group called the "Jets",
none of these swimmers had competed as children in their youth!!!
Next
some mad fool suggested that we could compete in a swimming gala.
Not satisfied with just swimming, the band of amateur aquatics set
off for a weekend away at Wolverhampton's Masters Meet which in
those days was a two day swimming gala.
In
our naivety we entered many more races than was good for us. But
flushed with a pub lunch and a curry dinner between sessions we
didn't do too bad.
From these humble beginnings and the occasional club gala the Rykneld
Master's Swimming Group has developed into dare I say, a faster,
leaner and stronger animal (but considerably older).
Times,
though not in themselves important, have fallen considerably from
those early days. The group regularly swim four sessions a week
and has a squad of between 10 and 15 swimmers. They have held two
Master's galas of their own at Sharley Park and have a regular list
of fixtures which they attend each year including two dips at Scarborough.
Members are encouraged to train together both in and out of the
pool (usually at the bar, but also in the local Indian Restaurant,
"The Clay Oven").
Anyone interested in joining should contact the Rykneld Master's
Rep., Christine, E-mail at Masters@Rykneld.co.uk,
or call in at Sharley Park and ask for a 'Master.' The group prides
itself on its variety of talents, not all aquatic!
Our
oldest member is well over 70 and our youngest, although not officially
a Master as he is not yet 19, has taken to swimming in our group
because of the impressive standard of our swimming.
Come swim with the elite, become a Rykneld Master! You don't need
to swim every session; some of our members only swim once a week.
We try and follow the programme, but often have to adapt it to meet
the needs of the group. So come on give your child a shock: 'can
your bag be bigger than theirs?'
Remember
.........
'You're never too slow, so give us a go and go home with a glow"
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