Molly James: “Just try!” – a narrative of ardour for masters swimming

Molly James swims for Trafford Metro, considered one of British masters swimming’s most adorned golf equipment, and leads a efficiency swim squad in Cheshire. A European medallist and four-time world medallist, she can be a British report holder. The European Aquatics Masters Championships in Slovakia this summer time shall be her second Europeans, and he or she heads there having stepped as much as a brand new age group.

James is not only an athlete inside the sport, she is actively making an attempt to develop it. As a full-time coach, she is within the uncommon place of coaching alongside the athletes she guides, and he or she shed some gentle on what meaning for her.

“My ambition is to continuously try to inspire the younger generation, being a role model and showing the desire to succeed alongside working full time,” she says. “As a coach still being a swimmer, it helps to make the coach/swimmer relationship more relatable. They know I am still training hard and eager to succeed in the same way they are.”

James initially swam till she was 16, earlier than burning out underneath the coaching strategies of her youth. “I fell out of love with the sport,” she says. University introduced her again into aquatics by water polo and social swimming. Then, at 22, a buddy persuaded her to enter an area masters gala, simply to see what would occur. She obtained the thrill for it instantly.

What adopted was a gentle development by native meets and UK Masters nationals, constructing in the direction of among the most memorable days of her profession. Three relay bronze medals on the World Masters Championships in Doha in 2024 stand out above every little thing else. “Relays are more enjoyable than individuals. I love the team aspect and feel so at ease racing with my friends. I loved every second of relay day in Doha and it’s probably been one of the best days of my entire life.”

She hasn’t had the second, she says, the place stopping felt like an actual possibility. “I want to continue to keep inspiring and be a leader and role model to my younger swimmers.”

This summer time’s European Aquatics Masters Championships carry private significance that goes past the competitors itself. James hasn’t raced at a European Championships since Rome in 2022, and he or she is getting into a brand new age group this time round. There can be a relay reunion to sit up for. She has stayed in contact with two German swimmers she medalled alongside within the 400 particular person medley in Rome, and is trying ahead to seeing them once more in Slovakia.

Then there’s her mom, who shall be watching her compete overseas for the primary time. “I hope to make her and my whole family proud.”

Her particular person purpose is easy. “I’d really like to get near to my lifetime PB on the 200 Butterfly, or perhaps even under it.” But she retains the larger image in view. “The biggest success will be enjoying the experience, making new friends and swimming well.”

As for the way lengthy she sees herself competing, she seems to be to the older era of Trafford Metro swimmers for her reply. “I see my older teammates who are an absolute inspiration for me, and I aim to keep pushing my limits.” She factors to clubmate Neil MacKinnon, an 85–89 year-old world report holder at Trafford, because the sort of instance that makes a end line appear irrelevant.

To anybody her age considering aggressive swimming is likely to be behind them, her message is obvious: “Just try. Masters swimming is so different to swimming as a child. The freedom, the social aspect and the life-changing opportunities it gives you are phenomenal. I have friends from all over the world now that I’ve met through these competitions. I love swimming more now than I ever did during my childhood career.”

The European Aquatics Masters Championships Samorin-Bratislava-Graz 2026 takes place from 18–30 August.

Click here for full details, including how to register.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics