Masters Swimming Hub
Aberdeen hosts a memorable 2026 British Masters Championships
June 16, 2026 Masters NewsThe 2026 British Swimming Masters Championships delivered a great celebration of Masters swimming, as swimmers from across Great Britain came together.
The Championships were held in Aberdeen, Scotland, from Friday 12 – Sunday 14 June.
Across three days of racing, the event showcased exceptional performances, a strong sense of community, and a remarkable series of World Aquatics Masters records.
Aberdeen provided an excellent stage for the event, with full stands, great racing and a supportive atmosphere that reflected the spirit of Masters swimming at its very best.
World Records fall across the programme
Records were a central feature of the weekend, with several relay teams and individual swimmers producing world-record-breaking performances.
Basingstoke ‘A’ (Fleur Turner, Spencer Turner, Lizzie Coster, Martin Bennell) set the tone early by lowering the Mixed 200–239 years 800m Freestyle Relay world record to 8:51.37, improving on the previous mark of 8:55.03.
Woking ‘A’ enjoyed a particularly successful championships, breaking two world records in the Mixed 160–199 years category.
The 200m Freestyle Relay was won by Georgina Heyn, Michelle Ware, Henry Goodlud and Alexander Smith in 1:42.09, just inside the former record of 1:42.21, before the same set of swimmers went on to set a new 400m Freestyle Relay world record of 3:48.71.
In the women’s relays, Black Country and Potteries Masters ‘A’ (Lindsey Gowland, Helen Kula-Przezwanski, Kathleen Tunnicliffe, Alyson Fordham) claimed a new world record in the 280–319 years 200m Freestyle Relay with a time of 2:13.39, while Harrogate ‘A’ (Karen Graham, Julie Hoyle, Philippa Rickard, Joanne Beardsworth) delivered a strong performance to lower the Women’s 240–279 years 800m Freestyle Relay record to 10:06.42.
Individual success was also on display, with Kirsty Johnson of Bracknell swimming 30.28 in the Women’s 45–49 years 50m Backstroke to better the previous world record of 31.02.
A truly historic swim from Jane Asher
For many in attendance, the most striking and unforgettable moment of the Championships came in the Women’s 95–99 years 400m Freestyle.
Jane Asher of Kings Cormorants produced an extraordinary swim, stopping the clock at 9:59.25 to break the existing world record of 10:12.49.
As Jane touched the wall, the significance of the performance was immediately recognised.
Breaking the 10-minute barrier in this age group prompted a standing ovation from spectators and fellow swimmers, creating a powerful moment that encapsulated the inspiration and longevity at the heart of Masters swimming.
Community, competition and inspiration
Beyond the record-breaking swims, the championships once again demonstrated the unique appeal of Masters swimming.
With swimmers spanning a wide range of age groups, Aberdeen showcased that competitive swimming remains accessible, challenging and rewarding at every stage of life.
How everyone interacted with one another on poolside and in the stands was as much a feature of the weekend as the racing itself.
Looking ahead to Sunderland 2027
During the Championships, it was announced that the 2027 British Swimming Masters Championships will be held England once again. This time, Sunderland will set the scene from 11–13 June.
The 2026 British Masters Championships will be remembered not only for the records that fell, but for the moments that inspired everyone present — none more so than Jane Asher’s remarkable world-record swim, which perfectly captured the spirit of Masters swimming.
Photography: Euan Duff (Scottish Swimming)
