Mis à jour le 13 juin, 2008

For several years now, competitive swimming for the over 25's has undergone exponential growth. Within ACBB this fact has never been kept secret.

A potted history... ...

1993 - 2004, a long decade of pleasure, training, conviviality and performances.

In the early 90's, a group of normal adults wishing to improve themselves, asked if it was possible to swim at several sessions per week. Jérôme Seydoux,, the trainer at the time together with the Area Office looked favourably at this request and subsequently put into action a "sports programme" focussing on technique of giving technical instruction, particularly in the areas of warm-up and muscular development.

In 1993 a new direction is given to the Swimming section, adjusting the different groups' technical staff's roles. I decided to take it upon myself to not only accompany but also to teach motivated and wanting adults activities which could only grow in size from year to year.

Growth and progress ...

From the 1996/1997 season onward, both individuals and relays have distinguished themselves at local, regional and national levels (182 French Championship titles and 72 French records). At full international level we have achieved 9 European Championship titles, 5 World Championship titles, 1 World Champion title, 2 European records and 2 World records). To add even more icing on the cake, during the first national Masters Interclub meet in January 2004 our group took 3rd place. This result was bettered in January 2005, when we moved up to 2nd place.

Work and fun ...

Who could have guessed where this particular group was going? Who saw the momentum? No-one could hazard a guess at the rankings that would be carved out.

Over the years each individual has added their personal touch to this testament, all the while blending the themes of Conviviality, Cohesion, Sincerity and Sense of Humour. The goal is not perfection but progression, performance does not come first, it is the love of training together. The diversity and mix of characteristics and individuals with their own targets and qualities has made of the ACBB Masters a point of reference.

Work and pleasure...

     Our group is recognised as the sum of its individual parts, having the motto of

"Take pleasure, have fun, first and foremost".

It is to this end I've tried to convey to swimmers the reason for our existence and the incessant lengths we go to are for our own benefit, resulting in our chosen performance.

    

Rankings

ACBB Masters is after all a great way for all to carve their name on each and every meet.

Since the 1996/1997 season, our swimmers either as individuals or in relays have won:
        - 5 titles at the Masters World Games
        - 8 World Champion title and 30 podium finishes
        - 11 European Champion titles and 22 podium finishes
        - 295 French Champion titles (and 645 podium finishes)
        - The male, female and club 'General Rankings' in the Arena Masters Tour 2004 and 2006 (some kind of LC French Masters Cup)
        - 3rd place in 2004, 2nd place in 2005 and 1st place from 2006 to 2008 in the French National         - 121 French Records
        - 16 European records including 4 in relays, of which one is the work of Sir Duncan and the other a team effort from (Abed, Gilles, Olivier, Duncan)
        - 15 World records, of which one is the only World record in relay for a French team (Karlyn, Jean-André, Olivier and Sophie)
        - 2621 podiums from 134 meets attended by this section.

        The resulting accomplishments for 2005, as summarised by FINA, included 13 of the Masters ACBB swimmers winning individual or collective titles.

... and what a team!

    The Proof of the pudding of this both sporting and friendly achievement stems from the regularly active and attentive input of all during a diverse range of different training sessions. They never cease to impress me with the way they continue to face day to day difficulties, whether it be family, professional or sporting life.