The Masters (and Seniors) squad has members ranging over a fifty year age span. Many of them compete in Regional and National championships, whilst the more brave (or is that foolhardy?) test the stimulating temperatures and challenges of open water swimming. A few have also competed in the World and / or European Masters championships over the years.
The individual profiles featured below hopefully show potential new members the diversity to be found and provide an insight into why we (still) do what we do, after all these years!
Mark Lewis – a New Member in 2024
In his teens in the 90’s, Mark competed for Bangor ASC and Alliance ASC (both in Northern Ireland) “as a fairly good short course age-grouper (for Ireland)”. After a 27-year absence from training he joined Team Luton in mid-2024, “probably in part mid-life crisis and partly due to the lane rage I was experiencing in public swimming pools”.
Mark competed in his first gala in July 2024. That set off a run of finishing 4th in every race until the 2024 East Regionals, where he finally managed to medal. He then went on to swim in the English National Championships in October 2024, which he felt was a fantastic experience both in and out of the pool. He’s now focusing on 2025 where he has been coerced into swimming a 200m butterfly. Mark is also aiming to compete in some big events like the World Masters Championship and European Masters Championships and to get his name against some club records.
In Mark’s own words, “The best part of Team Luton is the team; my fellow swimmers, the coaches and others involved. I genuinely look forward to training and competitions because it is a fun group of people, and they push me to be better. “
Mark’s moment of fame away from the pool? He claims to have briefly appeared on the Eurovision Song Contest (not singing) in the mid 90’s!
Pauline Harrington, our Masters coach
Our Masters coachWhen did you join Team Luton?
I joined the swimming club when it was still called Luton Amateur Swimming Club way back in 1959
If you were a member of a club or clubs before, did you compete and if so to what level?
I just swam for the school team, no club. I later joined Lewsey Swimming Club.
When did you first swim competitively as a Master?
My first Masters competition was at Otter SC in London in 1977
What / when was your most notable achievement (to date) as a Masters swimmer?
I have a few notable achievements. They are winning medals at World Masters Events all over the World.
What / when was your most memorable / enjoyable Masters swimming experience?
I think the most memorable and enjoyable was winning the Gold in 200mts Breaststroke at the Worlds in Sheffield in 1996 by a quarter of a length and with all my Luton team mates there. Also the fun we had ……Who / what gets you (out of bed) to go training (at the end of a working day)?
Stan kicks me in the back when the alarm goes off!! ….. and the thought of seeing all the handsome fellows at the pool
What’s the best part of a Team Luton Masters training session?
The best part for me is seeing the expressions on the swimmers’ faces when I tell them the sets!
Why do you still compete / train?
Replacement knees do not let me do Breaststroke any longer so I have not competed for some time. I had been coaching the non-competitive Masters and when the main Masters coach suddenly left, one of the squad suggested I take over. As an ex-competitor they thought I might appreciate how the swimmers felt during a training session, particularly when they got tired!
What interests do you have outside of Team Luton Masters?
Spinning, going to gym classes, making things and machine embroidery
Anything your club mates don’t know about you (and you might be willing to now reveal)?
I think they all know about me by now!
Karen Mackenzie
By her own admission Karen likes to try and achieve at least one challenge each year.
Having competed as a swimmer in her younger days, Karen’s brother in law was training for his first triathlon in 2013 and asked her to do some open water training with him. The following year the two of them trained for and completed the River Dart 10K. Karen then by herself did a few triathlon ” sprints” [her words] in 2015. It was during that time a few people suggested she find a swimming club to train with.
Accordingly Karen joined Team Luton in October 2015. By the end of January 2016 she had swum in her first Masters event, setting a new Beds County Masters record for her age group in the 50 metres Backstroke. Less than three months later Karen had swum at her first GB Masters, all in preparation for the European Masters! Come July 2017 Karen competed in her first World Masters Swimming Championships, having won a silver medal over 50m Backstroke at the GB Masters.
A qualified personal trainer and yoga instructor, Karen submits herself to regiment fitness boot camp training twice a week and also tries to swim three to four times a week with Team Luton. Her two young boys like football and rugby so she’s often ferrying them to practice or matches. Little wonder that Karen might not necessarily be the first to make it on to the poolside.
Usually preferring the sprint distances, Karen was finally persuaded to try a competitive 400m Freestyle. Much to Karen’s surprise, she won the 2018 East Region 400m Freestyle title for her age group. Come 2019, Karen excelled herself even further, picking up a Bronze medal in the 400m IM at the GB Masters in Swansea. As of July 2024 Karen held eight Beds County Masters records over 50m, 100m, 200m Backstroke and 400m IM.
John O’Rourke
When did you join Team Luton?
I Joined Luton SC in 1978 aged 8/9 as my two older sisters were already members.
If you were a member of a club or clubs before, did you compete and if so to what level?
I swam at ‘B’ level standard for Luton.
When did you first swim competitively as a Master?
My first swim as a competitive Master (aged 36) was at the Beds County Champs in 2005 at Biggleswade.
Won two gold medals in 50m Free & 50m Back.
What / when was your most notable achievement (to date) as a Masters swimmer?
Until 2019 it was swimming at the World Masters in Montreal in 2014. Didn’t think in 2005 that nine years later I would swim at such an event. However it is now matched by winning two Bronze medals (over 800m Freestyle and the 400m IM) at the GB Masters in Swansea.
What / when was your most memorable / enjoyable Masters swimming experience?
First time I swam at the short course Nationals in Sheffield in 2007.
Amazed by the standard & by the pool.
Who / what gets you (out of bed) to go training (at the end of a working day)?
Myself. I want to keep fit and to improve as a swimmer.
What’s the best part of a Team Luton Masters training session?
Swimming with a good group of people. It’s the support from the group & having fun as you swim.
Why do you still compete / train?
I like to see how my training is going and if my competition times are improving with the training.
What interests do you have outside of Team Luton Masters?
Watching Luton Town FC, Aussie rules Football, American Football,reading books & travelling around places.
Anything your club mates don’t know about you (and you might be willing to now reveal)?
Nothing that they don’t know already. {Oh but not many knew he used to give sports massages! – Editor}
Graham Powell
For World, European or British Masters medals, we look to “The Legend” that is Graham Powell.
He’s no stranger to the podium having won both a silver and a bronze at the 2001 European Masters and a World bronze over 50 metres backstroke back in 1996.
Roll on twenty years and Graham set a new British Masters record for his age group when winning the GB Masters 50m Backstroke in April 2016. He proceeded to win a silver in the 100m Butterfly and a bronze over 100m Backstroke at the European Masters in May 2016. The 2016 European Long Course Rankings for his age group saw Graham ranked 2nd in Europe over 50m Backstroke whilst being in the Top 10 World (Short & Long Course) rankings over both 50m and 100m Backstroke, in addition to 9th place over 100m Butterfly (long course).
So how old is Graham? Let’s just say he did win at the UAU Championships way back in 1974 whilst at Birmingham University. A further spell at Loughborough University sent Graham on to a career in education.
Having “retired” from both water polo and rugby, Graham joined Luton as a Master in 1995. He keeps his interest in swimming because he loves “the competition, the training and the friendships made”.
As of July 2024, Graham held seventeen Eastern Region and thirty five Bedfordshire Masters records.
Although supposedly somewhat reticent at the prospect of entering relay events, Graham is still very much a team player. “What happens on tour, stays on tour”. Just don’t expect such a totally friendly reaction if you ever ask him who holds “his” Luton Borough Championships backstroke trophy!