Age no bar to masters swimmer

Press, 27 February 1989, Page 40

Age no bar to masters swimmer

PA Palmerston North Swimming is becoming harder every year, says 82-year-old James “Poppy” Allen who swam 50m freestyle in 59.13 seconds to win his national age group title at the Palmerston North lido complex at the week-end. “That’s far enough,” he panted, climbing out of the pool. “I just blew out at the finish.”

He suspected it was probably a combination of a good time the night before and advancing age which meant he did not get the 58 second time he was hoping for.

But his effort was enough to win him the SO--84 year section at the Masters Swimming Championships held over the week-end in Palmerston North.

There were only two swimmers in the most advanced class of the masters events this year but next year with two “hot shots” joining the ranks the competition should be much tougher. Competition is the reason he is still lining up to race long after most people would have given away swimming. He only, began competitive swimming about 10 years ago when masters swimming was introduced to Wellington where he now lives.

“I like competition. There’s no point just swimming up and down for nothing is there?” he asks.

He was born in Greymouth but spent most of his school years in Palmerston North. At Terrace End school he swam a mile to get a certificate but at the end they had to lift him out of the pool. Last year he thought his swimming days were over and old age had caught up with him when his shoulder froze up but he kept going down to the pool and it cleared up. He intends to keep swimming and competing until he no longer can. z (