Anne-Marie Toker promotes Masters swimming after Tornados meet races

Anne-Marie Toker of the Tornados Masters team used her latest swim-meet appearance to speak about the value of adult swimming, saying the sport brings fitness, friendship and relief from pressure as people get older.

Toker said she had just completed the 50-metre backstroke. Her events also included the 50-metre freestyle and 50-metre breaststroke the day before, after taking part in the 100-metre freestyle one day earlier.

She said the Masters programme offers more than competition in the pool. According to Toker, the Tornados group benefits from strong bonds among swimmers, support from teammates and direction from the coach.

Toker described swimming as helpful for both physical and mental well-being. She said it supports flexibility and is easier on the joints than many other forms of exercise, while also helping adults manage stress.

She encouraged people who have not yet taken up swimming to start, noting that some members of the group have been in the water for most of their lives while others learned later. Her message was that “it’s never too late to learn.”