A VETERAN swimmer from Grasscoft is continuing to make a splash at the age of 45.
David Rees, who competes for Oldham Aquatics, recently became a national Masters’ champion.
And the teacher at Oldham Hulme not long ago also competed against – and beat – his 17-year-old son in a swim meet.
David, who began swimming competitively aged 10, achieved success in the Swim England Masters National Championship at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.
He won the 50 metres butterfly and picked up a bronze in the 100m freestyle in the 45/49 years age category.
David, who narrowly missed out on two further medals in which he finished fourth in both races, said: “We compete in five-year age bands so it is like having a golf handicap as it means you can compete at any age.
“I was competing in a Masters’ event at Llandudno not long ago and there was a 96-year-old who was competing and broke European records.
“It was great to win an event in Sheffield so technically I am a national champion.”
David, who has competed for Stalybridge Swimming Club for most of his time in the sport and for Oldham in recent years, added he has no intention of calling an end to swimming competitively.
He said: “I still get a buzz and it gets more and more so when you get older.
“You put more pressure on yourselves and the nerves don’t go away.”
David, a former head coach at Stalybridge Swimming Club, was a member of Oldham’s advanced training scheme from the age of 12.
“I competed in national age group finals with my best finish fifth in the 200m breaststroke when I was 14,” he explained.
David’s son Joseph also swims at regional level and the pair recently competed against each other at the Wigan Future Stars Meet.
He said: “I beat Joseph in the 50m freestyle and he beat me in the 50m butterfly.
“There is family rivalry and it keeps you on your toes. There was plenty of trash talking then I had to pick up the pieces afterwards.”
Joseph is a student at Oldham Hulme where his father also teaches.
You must be logged in to post a comment.