About Us

Stroud Masters Swimming Club is a friendly club for adult swimmers (16 years plus). The Masters Section of Stroud Swimming Club originally evolved in 1989 from a few parents who felt it a good idea to enjoy some of the benefits from structured swimming that their children enjoyed as members of a swimming club. With the assistance of Brian Harrison, SSC's Chief Coach, water time was negotiated with SDC and 1 1/2 hours was allocated from 7.30 a.m. on a Sunday Morning to the Masters Section. With a membership of 10 adults Stroud Masters was born and Sunday Morning training sessions began.

One of the first problems was finding a coach committed to turning up every Sunday morning at 07.30 a.m. and the sessions quite often were manned by the swimmers themselves taking it in turns on the poolside. In 1990 Stroud had its first Masters Team competing at Gloucester Masters Invitation Gala. This was very new to most of the swimmers with a Team of 11 entering the Gala, some of whom were new to swimming let alone to competitions. This first official appearance was very successful. Dave White was named as "man of the match" in the local press, bringing home one of the first gold medals for his 50m Backstroke.

Since this first competition we've have grown in numbers and have attended many competitions, bringing home large Medal hauls. Our Chief Coach is Carol Twinning who is one of the original 10 members. She took on the coaching role when it was apparent that finding a committed coach was difficult. This resulted in Carol relinquishing her training sessions in the pool and taking her place on the poolside. Carol had already been involved with the coaching of the younger members of Stroud Swimming Club under the guidance and mentoring of Brian Harrison SSC's Chief Coach. She has now been coaching and managing the Masters Section for more than 15 years, enjoys every minute of it but does miss participating in the swim training herself.

From 1st April, 2006, The Masters Section was dissolved within SSC and a new separate Club has been formed called Stroud Masters Swimming Club. Carol still remains as our coach together with Brian Harrison, former Chief Coach and President of Stroud Swimming club. Brian brings with him a great knowledge and experience of swimming both in stroke technique, development and competitive swimming and all our swimmers reap the benefit of his expertise.

Apart from Carol, there are two more original Masters, Dave White and John Hodgson, who still actively participate in the swim training sessions and are committee members of the new Club. The Club now has five training sessions per week. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings -stamina training, Tuesday evenings (invitation only) and Wednesday evenings -Stroke Development and Technique. At present, the criteria to join Stroud Masters SC are to be16 years upwards and able to swim 1 or 2 lengths unaided.

An elected committee now runs the Club and consists of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Competition Secretary, Press and Publicity Officer, Social Events Secretary and Welfare Officer . Our current membership consists of over 50 fitness swimmers, competitive swimmers, triathletes and those that enjoy the sport but would like to improve.

If you're interested in what we do and would like to join us, either as a swimmer or a teacher/coach, then please contact Carol