Lesley Wilde

Watermarks meets Lesley Wilde, aged 41, of Rhyl Swimming Club.

This is an abridged interview. The full interview is published in Watermarks, Volume 1, Number 4, dated May 2000, available from our Order page.

How long have you been involved in masters swimming?

This is my eleventh year. I came back to swimming after my children had grown.

Do you have a swimming background previous to becoming involved in masters swimming?

I swam for North Wales and was a member of Buckley S.C. near Chester. My coach was Ken Jones who is still coaching at the club today. He had two great swimmers in his squad at the time, Mike Roberts and Ian Hapgood, who both competed at the Commonwealth Games.

Tell us about your present club?

I'm a member of Rhyl. It's an age-group club with about 250 swimmers in the main club with 20 or so masters swimmers. Our coach Gerald Hay is brilliant. He encourages the youngsters and masters swimmers alike.

Do you train on your own at all?

No. I train with the youngsters and also swim with them in the Speedo League. I prefer to be part of a club. I wouldn't want to train by myself.

What do you consider to be your best events?

200 metres backstroke.  I quite like swimming the 100m butterfly but only in a small meet. I'm a backstroke swimmer really.

Are you nervous before a race?

Yes, always. I'm not worried about swimming against other competitors. I have targets for myself which I set beforehand and I like to aim for them. It's good to get the adrenaline flowing.

Have you competed abroad?

In Italy at the Europeans I was fortunate to get a gold in the 200 backstroke and broke the British record also. That was an enjoyable meet. My best meet was at Innsbruck last year when I won the 50, 100 and 200m backstroke. It is always nice to win, it shows your training is going to plan, but Innsbruck was a lovely place to visit.

What achievement in masters has given you the most satisfaction?

I suppose it has to be getting the world record at Sheffield laast year. The achievement took a long time to sink in. I'm pleased with that swim.

Is there one big ambition for you in swimming?

I would love to do a 69 second swim for 100m backstroke. Hopefully, one day it will come. If I get a good start, fast turns and finish well then I will make it.

Whom do you most admire in swimming and for what reasons?

Mark Foster. He's a good friend who has encouraged me, and he's very professional in his approach to the sport.

If you could change one thing in masters swimming, what would it be?

I would love to see masters swimming given a higher profile. Press coverage could be a lot better and more informative.

This was an extract from the interview with Lesley Wilde, published in Watermarks, Volume 1, Number 4. Click as indicated for extracts from the interviews with John Harrison and John Davis.