Seagulls Swimming Club member Viv Jones breaks 21-year-old British record and wins triple gold at the 2025 Welsh National Masters Championships

Seagulls Swimming Club member Viv Jones won triple gold and set a British record at the 2025 Welsh National Masters Championships in Swansea.

Highcliffe-based Jones won gold in the 50m, 100m, and 200m 70-75 age group freestyle events and secured a British record in the 100m by half a second, which was last set in 2004.

“My aim for Swansea was not just to swim faster but to control my nerves to enable me to apply more thought to pacing the swims rather than blind panic”, said Jones, the number one ranked swimmer in the long course British rankings in her age group in the 50m, 100m and 200m events.

“I hadn’t even considered that I could break the record, so I was both surprised and delighted to see I’d shaved about half a second off it!

“Jane Asher [the previous record holder] is respected and admired by all Masters swimmers for her amazing array of achievements over the years, so for it to have been her record, which has stood for so long, was very special for me.”

Jones, who trains in Christchurch and New Milton, added: “I competed at the European Masters 26 years ago, but life was too busy with raising my family and teaching and coaching swimming to find time to train.

“Having moved to Highcliffe and joined Seagulls Swimming Club, I have had amazing encouragement from both the coaching staff and fellow swimmers, and I felt inspired to give it another go.

“Masters swimming has changed dramatically from my last experience, what with the introduction of a younger age group to encourage swimmers to stay in the sport from 18 years old competing in five-year age bands.

“Most events now are over-subscribed as they have become hugely popular as an enjoyable way to keep fit and make great friends. The lady who held the freestyle record I have just broken is still swimming and breaking records at 94 years old!”

Jones concluded: “I am fortunate to benefit from the nationwide FANS scheme, which BCP supports, by allowing me unlimited access to the public swim sessions at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre.”

Jones will next compete at the British Nationals at the London Aquatic Centre in June before the World Masters Championship in Singapore in August.