Beneath The Surface Of Masters: Naomi Crowder

The Masters Hub continues to look deeper into the lives and personalities at the heart of the UK Masters swimming and aquatics community through our ‘Beneath The Surface’ feature.

Look out for video interviews as well as some fantastic underwater photos courtesy of GB Swimstars.

Our fourth feature is with 78-year old retired science technician Naomi Crowder who swims three times a week with the City of Sheffield Masters club and proves you’re never too old to enjoy Masters swimming…

How did you first become involved in Masters swimming?

When I was 70, I went to visit my daughter in New Zealand and she knew that I liked to do different things on big birthdays. She entered me in the New Zealand Masters Games and I hadn’t swum for many, many years but I did the 50m, did alright, came back to Sheffield and started swimming again.

What is it like swimming with the Masters group at Sheffield?

It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s a great group of people and we’re now geared towards open water swimming which I prefer. Obviously I have to train indoors in a pool but there’s nothing like wild swimming, being in the open air with the freedom of it.

What is your favourite thing about Masters swimming?

Definitely the social side of it because I’m not all that competitive. In the summer we go up to the Lake District and other places like that and have social weekends doing open water swimming.

How often do you train?

I train three times a week in the winter but only twice in the summer because I’m also a bowler and the third session is on a Friday night when I have bowls matches. We only train for an hour a session.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t in the pool?

I’m retired so I spend most of my time playing other sports like tennis or crown green bowls and travelling.

What are your favourite swimming events?

Open water events at Windermere and Salford Quays.

What is your highest accolade from swimming?

I was named the Senior Swimmer of the Year at the ASA’s 2013 Swimtastic Awards.

What are you most proud of out of the water?

My children.

What do you love about swimming?

Meeting people.

What do you hate about swimming?

Turning out to train on a cold winter evening.

• Click here to find out how you can get involved with Masters swimming.