I recently had the pleasure of interviewing one of our dedicated Masters swimmers, Darla, (and her husband – Kevin) who shared her inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and finding joy in swimming.
Early Love for Sports and Overcoming Injury
Darla was born in February 1961 and had a passion for sports from an early age. However, a playground injury led to osteomyelitis, an infection on the bone, which was initially misdiagnosed. Darla explained, “At first, they didn’t know what it was, so I was being treated for the wrong thing.” This condition resulted in a ban on sports to prevent further injury. Consequently, Darla never took part in sports days or team sports like netball or hockey. “I’ve never been in a team sport, never played netball, hockey. All the things that you would have done as a little girl. Never. The danger was breaking my already weakened leg, which would lead to further medical issues.” Despite this, she loved watching football and other sports. As she recovered, her parents enrolled her in swimming classes to strengthen her leg, where she learned to swim and focussed on personal survival skills, even earning a two-mile (3.22km) badge. Darla also completed the bronze, silver, gold, and honours in personal survival. However, her deteriorating eyesight and the lack of prescription goggles all those years ago posed challenges. She recalled, “My eyesight deteriorated (short-sightedness) and, in those days, in the 70s, you didn’t hear of prescription goggles. I don’t think they existed.”
Rediscovering Swimming and Joining the Masters Squad
Darla shared her journey with swimming, explaining how she stopped swimming with commitments whilst studying, and then work, losing confidence also due to poor eyesight. She said, “I couldn’t see properly until I found out there were prescription goggles.”
Her husband, Kevin, encouraged by Darla, learnt to swim just 12 years ago when in his mid 50s. He mentioned, “She badgered me into it [swimming]!” This timing then allowed Darla to enter the pool once again.
When she started having trouble with her knee she joined her husband’s class. “I got back into swimming again and sort of progressed.” They both advanced to the “Be A Better Swimmer, Be A Master Swimmer” class. Darla did not know about Masters swimming until she reached the advanced class. She explained, “In February 2024, I had a trial with Raj and a trial with Mark and, fortunately, they accepted me, so I joined both of them.”
Darla enjoys being with the Masters, and loves the training, even though she does not compete in competitions. She admitted, “I am the slowest swimmer, particularly at the Sunday session, and despite sometimes feeling upset by putting too much pressure on myself, I’m there for the swimming, and I love the training.”
Competing and Setting New Goals
Darla shared her experience of competing at the club championships in September 2025 – “I was just so nervous, but I thought I needed to participate in an event, not having participated in 2024, so I did the 50 metres freestyle.” Although she finished in last place, her husband reassured her, “Only by four tenths of a second.” Darla then added “But I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Asked if she had done any racing before – “I’ve never done anything like that [club champs] before. Apart from Race for Life, but that’s different.” She added, “I lost all of my family through different cancers – my sister, my mum and my dad – and that’s why I have done a few Races for Life for Cancer Research UK.”
When asked about how that first time competing at the club champs felt, Darla admitted, “I’ve got the stamina, I’m just not as fast as the others. I was nervous with everybody watching and I did not want to fall off the blocks, not having dived off starting blocks many times!”
She also shared her next big goal “Mark [Deakin] has been encouraging a few of us to do an aquathlon. So I have actually signed up for the Wombourne Splash and Dash on 7th December. It’s 400 metres swim followed by a 5km run (or walk!) That’s what I aim to do next. I just want to get better, faster and stronger.” (Unfortunately, however, due to illness, Darla was unable to participate in the Splash and Dash event.)
Self-Reflection and Advice for New Swimmers
When asked, what swimming has taught her about herself, Darla mentioned, “Discipline, determination, a bit of competitiveness. I do not want to be in competitions as such yet, but I still want to sort of challenge myself. Overcoming adversary, considering what I’ve been through. I’m a bit impatient, because I wish I was better and faster than I am.” I then asked Kevin how she has changed since becoming an athlete, and he responded, “She hasn’t. Still love her!”
Reflecting on the times when she wasn’t able to swim, Darla expressed, “Oh, I wish I’d carried it on after I’d had the private lessons and after I was discharged from the hospital in my late teens. I wish I had continued to swim and been in a club but going to college, poly and then work sort of got in the way really” Darla continued, “So, although I still have responsibilities and commitments and now I have a bit more time, I’ve been able to get back to it really.
When asked what keeps her coming to the club, Darla replied, “The discipline, the routine, the training and friendship, really. In addition to the training I do sometimes swim at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre on my own as well. However, due to other commitments I currently can only swim two or three times a week. I enjoy the discipline. I think it’s good because it makes you do it. And I look forward to it as well. It is good for your body and mental health. And I have achieved a goal from when I was a little girl – to swim in a 50m Olympic-size pool!”
The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Swimming
When asked about the health and well-being of people who do sports versus those who don’t, Darla emphasised the importance of friendships and mutual encouragement. “I think it’s really good, because you’ve got the camaraderie as well as you get to know your fellow swimmers. You’re all in the same boat. You’ve all gone through different things. You’ve all had a bad session, you’ve all had a good session, and it’s the encouragement that you get from each other as well. You can have a laugh too. It’s lovely.”
I then asked what she would say to someone who thinks it’s too late to start swimming or joining a club at an older age. Darla responded, “Oh, I’d disagree. Definitely. I think that’s the problem because most people think that clubs are just for young people – I did, but they are for older people as well. I mean, age should be no barrier, really it’s just a number. And the longer you can keep going, the better it is for your health as well, both physically and mentally.”
Conclusion
Darla’s journey is a testament to the supportive community and numerous benefits that come with being part of Sandwell Aquatics Club. Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your passions and embrace the joy of physical activity. We hope her story inspires others to take the plunge and join our club, regardless of age or experience. Happy swimming!
