Our Masters coachWhen did you join Team Luton?
I joined the swimming club when it was still called Luton Amateur Swimming Club way back in 1959
If you were a member of a club or clubs before, did you compete and if so to what level?
I just swam for the school team, no club. I later joined Lewsey Swimming Club.
When did you first swim competitively as a Master?
My first Masters competition was at Otter SC in London in 1977
What / when was your most notable achievement (to date) as a Masters swimmer?
I have a few notable achievements. They are winning medals at World Masters Events all over the World.
What / when was your most memorable / enjoyable Masters swimming experience?
I think the most memorable and enjoyable was winning the Gold in 200mts Breaststroke at the Worlds in Sheffield in 1996 by a quarter of a length and with all my Luton team mates there. Also the fun we had ……Who / what gets you (out of bed) to go training (at the end of a working day)?
Stan kicks me in the back when the alarm goes off!! ….. and the thought of seeing all the handsome fellows at the pool
What’s the best part of a Team Luton Masters training session?
The best part for me is seeing the expressions on the swimmers’ faces when I tell them the sets!
Why do you still compete / train?
Replacement knees do not let me do Breaststroke any longer so I have not competed for some time. I had been coaching the non-competitive Masters and when the main Masters coach suddenly left, one of the squad suggested I take over.  As an ex-competitor they thought I might appreciate how the swimmers felt during a training session, particularly when they got tired!
What interests do you have outside of Team Luton Masters?
Spinning, going to gym classes, making things and machine embroidery
Anything your club mates don’t know about you (and you might be willing to now reveal)?
I think they all know about me by now!

Karen Mackenzie

By her own admission Karen likes to try and achieve at least one challenge each year.

Having competed as a swimmer in her younger days, Karen’s brother in law was training for his first triathlon in 2013 and asked her to do some open water training with him. The following year the two of them trained for and completed the River Dart 10K. Karen then by herself did a few triathlon ” sprints” [her words] in 2015. It was during that time a few people suggested she find a swimming club to train with.

Accordingly Karen joined Team Luton in October 2015. By the end of January 2016 she had swum in her first Masters event, setting a new Beds County Masters record for her age group in the 50 metres Backstroke. Less than three months later Karen had swum at her first GB Masters, all in preparation for the European Masters! Come July 2017 Karen competed in her first World Masters Swimming Championships, having won a silver medal over 50m Backstroke at the GB Masters.

A qualified personal trainer, Karen submits herself to regiment fitness boot camp training twice a week and also tries to swim two to three times a week with Team Luton. Her two young boys like football and rugby so she’s learning about them too. Little wonder that Karen might not necessarily be the first to make it on to the poolside.

As of April 2021 Karen held eleven Beds County Masters records over Freestyle, Backstroke and Individual Medley. Usually preferring the sprint distances, Karen was finally persuaded to try a competitive 400m Freestyle. Much to Karen’s surprise, she won the 2018 East Region 400m Freestyle title for her age group. Come 2019, Karen excelled herself even further, picking up a Bronze medal in the 400m IM at the GB Masters in Swansea.

Jo Mitchinson

When did you join Team Luton?
I joined Team Luton in September 2019

If you were a member of a club or clubs before, did you compete and if so to what level?
I grew up swimming with Hatfield, winning National Age Group Medals, competing at Olympic and European Trials. I used to make finals at National senior competitions – but never good enough to make the teams!
When did you first swim competitively as a Master?
In 2002 I raced at the National Masters, with no expectations at all. I won 3 golds and broke 2 British records. I stopped swimming soon after that though and didn’t swim at all for over 12 years.
What / when was your most notable achievement (to date) as a Masters swimmer?
Winning an Open Water bronze at the World Masters Championships in Budapest. It was totally unexpected and that made it even better!
What / when was your most memorable / enjoyable Masters swimming experience?
Racing at the National Masters in 2018. My sister swims for Southampton Masters, we shared a hotel room and combined swimming with a child free weekend together, meals out and jacuzzi ‘recoveries’. The racing was secondary to the time spent together, sharing a common interest.
Who / what gets you (out of bed) to go training (at the end of a working day)?
I just love training – especially early mornings. I love the sense of achievement I get from completing sessions I didn’t realise I still could.
What’s the best part of a Team Luton Masters training session?
The other swimmers and Pauline. Everyone is so supportive of one another, it’s a real Team atmosphere.
Why do you still compete / train?
There is no deep and meaningful reason here I’m afraid – I train because I love going swimming and I race because I like seeing where my training is at. There will come a time when I can’t do it anymore, so while I can, I will.
What interests do you have outside of Team Luton Masters?
I’m a cycling widow – my husband is an elite cyclist and my daughter cycles at a high level, so I like supporting them. I also have a huge interest in WW1 and lead school trips to Ypres. I’ve been to Ypres over 40 times and am known to the chocolate shop owners!!
Anything your club mates don’t know about you (and you might be willing to now reveal)?
Lots – though plenty I’ll keep to myself!! I won’t eat fruit though because I don’t like it, I’m vegetarian and incredibly fussy. So, I’ll never travel without pot noodles and often have these for breakfast on race days!!

John O’Rourke

When did you join Team Luton?
I Joined Luton SC in 1978 aged 8/9 as my two older sisters were already members.
If you were a member of a club or clubs before, did you compete and if so to what level?
I swam at ‘B’ level standard for Luton.
When did you first swim competitively as a Master?
My first swim as a competitive Master (aged 36) was at the Beds County Champs in 2005 at Biggleswade.
Won two gold medals in 50m Free & 50m Back.
What / when was your most notable achievement (to date) as a Masters swimmer?
Until 2019 it was swimming at the World Masters in Montreal in 2014. Didn’t think in 2005 that nine years later I would swim at such an event. However it is now matched by winning two Bronze medals (over 800m Freestyle and the 400m IM) at the GB Masters in Swansea.
What / when was your most memorable / enjoyable Masters swimming experience?
First time I swam at the short course Nationals in Sheffield in 2007.
Amazed by the standard & by the pool.
Who / what gets you (out of bed) to go training (at the end of a working day)?
Myself. I want  to keep fit and to improve as a swimmer.
What’s the best part of a Team Luton Masters training session?
Swimming with a good group of people. It’s the support from the group & having fun as you swim.
Why do you still compete / train?
I like to see how my training is going and if my competition times are improving with the training.
What interests do you have outside of Team Luton Masters?
Watching Luton Town FC, Aussie rules Football, American Football,reading books & travelling around places.
Anything your club mates don’t know about you (and you might be willing to now reveal)?
Nothing that they don’t know already. {Oh but not many knew he used to give sports massages! – Editor}

Graham Powell

For World, European or British Masters medals, we look to “The Legend” that is Graham Powell.

He’s no stranger to the podium having won both a silver and a bronze at the 2001 European Masters and a World bronze over 50 metres backstroke back in 1996.

Roll on twenty years and Graham set a new British Masters record for his age group when winning the GB Masters 50m Backstroke in April 2016. He proceeded to win a silver in the  100m Butterfly and a bronze over 100m Backstroke at the European Masters in May 2016. The 2016 European Long Course  Rankings for his age group saw Graham ranked 2nd in Europe over 50m Backstroke whilst being in the Top 10 World (Short & Long Course) rankings over both 50m and 100m Backstroke, in addition to 9th place over 100m Butterfly (long course).

So how old is Graham? Let’s just say he did win at the UAU Championships way back in 1974 whilst at Birmingham University. A further spell at Loughborough University sent Graham on to a career in education.

Having “retired” from both water polo and rugby, Graham joined Luton as a Master in 1995. He keeps his interest in swimming because he loves “the competition, the training and the friendships made”.

As of April 2021 Graham held seventeen Eastern Region and thirty five Bedfordshire Masters records. He also finished in 24th place in the 2018 British Swimming Masters Decathlon, having been encouraged to go the extra distance and compete over 200 metres in events other than his preferred Backstroke and Butterfly.

Although supposedly somewhat reticent at the prospect of entering relay events, Graham is still very much a team player. “What happens on tour, stays on tour”. Just don’t expect such a totally friendly reaction if you ever ask him who holds “his” Luton Borough Championships backstroke trophy!