Back to Resources

The Masters Competitive Pathway

Understanding the Masters swimming structure

There are different levels of swimming in British Masters events, with international Masters competitions happening on a yearly basis.

Some regional and national meets will have qualifying times, while other meets will be closed to certain regions.

The different levels

From small club meets to officially sanctioned international competitions, these are the levels of competition you need to know.

Swim Events Table

Level	Examples
Club Level Meets	Hart Masters The Lakes Masters Meet Newmarket Masters
County Masters	Essex Masters Championships Norfolk Masters Championships Devon County Open Masters Meet
Regional Masters	London Region Championships East Region Masters Championships South East Masters Competition
National Masters	Masters National Championships Scottish Masters Championships British Masters Championships
International Masters	European Masters Championships World Aquatics Masters Championships World Masters Games

How do international competitions work

Age limits

Most international competitions require athletes to be aged 25 or older (age as of 31st December of the calendar year). Age groups run in 5-year brackets, such as 25/29, 30/34, 35/39.

Alignment with the general calendar

World Aquatics Masters
Where possible, the World Masters competitions immediately follow the official competition at the same venue.

Visit the World Masters Official website:

World Aquatics Masters Website

European Aquatics Masters
The European Masters championships follows the the official competitions in the same location where possible. Unlike World Masters, it runs short course and long course competitions in alteration.

Visit the European Masters Official Website:

European Masters Website