#191: Aberdeen 2026: Records, Revelry & Masters Magic

World records, epic performances, travel tails and pornstar martinis…Olly Espinasse (Basingstoke Bluefins) and Molly James (Trafford Metro) join Helen Gorman to break down the biggest moments from the 2026 British Masters Championships in Aberdeen.From outstanding swims to unforgettable stories on and off poolside, this championship recap captures everything that made Aberdeen 2026 one to remember. Whether you were there or not, there’s plenty to enjoy.Enjoy additional content via our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming and please leave us a rating or review.

We’re joined by respected swimming journalist Liz Byrnes, who has spent more than two decades at the heart of the sport covering Olympic Games, World Championships and some of swimming’s biggest moments.From the super-suit era and Duncan Scott’s stand against Sun Yang to athlete mental health, the rise of swimming longevity and the changing nature of elite competition, Liz shares her perspective on how the sport has evolved - and where it’s heading next.Having travelled the world covering swimming for national and international media, Liz also discusses the pressure of championship reporting, the shift from print to digital media, and what makes a swimming story break through to the mainstream.We dive into masters swimming, discussing how clubs and athletes can attract media coverage, why participation sport matters, and the inspiring stories that deserve a bigger audience.Packed with insight, behind-the-scenes stories, humour and predictions for the future of swimming, this is insightful for swimmers, coaches and fans of the sport alike.Enjoy additional content via our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming and please leave us a rating or review.

Join Charlie Harris and Helen Gorman for a preview of the 2026 British Masters Championships in Aberdeen.As the host of Scottish Swimming’s Aqua Pod and a member of their media and marketing team, Charlie brings a unique insider perspective on the championships, the venue and the Scottish masters swimming scene.From athletes and stories to watch, to practical tips for navigating the weekend, Charlie shares his knowledge from attending numerous national events in Aberdeen. Find out which swimmers could make headlines, what to expect from the competition, and how to make the most of your trip.Plus, the all-important questions: where can you find Aberdeen’s best coffee, the ultimate haggis sandwich, and the perfect pre or post race pizza?Whether you’re racing, supporting, volunteering or following from afar, this episode has everything you need to get ready for British Masters 2026.Enjoy additional content via our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming and please leave us a rating or review.

In this episode, super sprinter and sports scientist Sam Lawman lays out exactly how to nail the final 30 minutes before you step onto the blocks. From smart priming techniques to mental cues and race-ready routines, Sam shares practical, science-backed strategies to help swimmers feel sharp, focused, and ready to fire when it matters most. Visit our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming for video content (priming video available soon!) If you’d like to try bicarb, visit https://www.flycarb.com and use the code FREESTYLE10 (limited to the first 50 customers only).

Back from a week training with Trojan SC in the Lanzarote sunshine, masters world record holders Helen Gorman and Jo Corben discuss everything from tough morning sets to celebrity selfies, sightseeing and cheese.The pair discuss why Lanzarote has become the unofficial spring gathering point for masters swimmers, the atmosphere of training alongside international squads, and whether there were  any swimmers left in the UK - apart from Kirsty Johnson, who stayed home and broke a world record.They also chat about planning the camp on a budget, structuring training for maximum benefit, balancing hard work with recovery, and why using annual leave for a swim camp can be one of the best investments you make in your swimming.Along the way there are highlights, lowlights, funny moments, favourite sets, tired legs and plenty of honest reflections on what they both took away from the week - physically, mentally and socially.Visit our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming for Lanzarote video clips that will make you jealous you weren’t there too (maybe)…

Nicola Charlesworth shares her remarkable journey as a deaf swimmer, her return to the pool after a 17-year break, and the record-breaking performances that have made her a name to look out for in masters swimming.Her path back to success has been anything but straightforward - from representing Great Britain as an elite junior swimmer with Olympic ambitions, to navigating progressive hearing loss and recovering after being hit by a bus.Nicola shares the unexpected challenges she faces as a deaf athlete, balancing training with a demanding career and young family, and the powerful role swimming plays in her mental wellbeing. We also explore what drives her to keep pushing boundaries in the pool.Visit our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming for lots of great video clips from our weekly podcasts.

Trafford Metro’s Chris Malpass chats about life in the early stages of recovery from knee surgery. Confined to the sofa rather than the pool, he shares the realities of rehab, adapting training, and the mental resilience needed to stay motivated when everything stops.Helen Gorman digs into the bigger picture; what it really means for masters swimmers to keep pushing limits in their 40s and beyond and uncovers that this is far from Chris’s first setback.Listen in for honest reflections and a few philosophical detours covering snooker, camper vans and crocodiles.Visit our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming for lots of great video clips from our weekly podcasts.

Join Olympic medallist and coach Brian Brinkley for a trip back to one of the most turbulent eras in sport.From the shadow of the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics to the podium highs of 1976 Summer Olympics, Brian shares what it was like inside the Olympic Village when history and controversy unfolded.We dive into the rise of East German dominance, the realities behind doping, and what it meant to race in the era of David Wilkie, when British swimming was making waves on the world stage.Expect opinions, storytelling, a surprising gesture from Bernard Matthews, and a love for the sport that still burns strong.This is swimming history as you’ve never heard it before.

Helen Gorman catches up with masters swimmer John Wood following his standout performances at the Aquatics GB Championships in London, where racing shoulder-to-shoulder with the country’s elite pushed him to a lifetime best in the 100m butterfly at age 40.We also shine a light on other masters swimmers racing at the very top level, including Rebecca Guy, who powered her way into two finals, and Martin Bennell, who made history as the oldest ever competitor at the championships at 49.From warming up alongside Olympic champions to navigating the intensity of a high-performance environment, John gives an insight into the week - what he learned, and why more masters swimmers should consider stepping onto this stage.Plus, we explore how to qualify, the pathway to the Olympic Games trials in 2028, and John reveals his unusual side hustle.

Mike Peyrebrune, coach and sports scientist at Loughborough University, joins us to share expert insight into altitude training and warm weather camps. Drawing on his experience working with Olympic swimmers, Mike explains how elite athletes use these environments to fine-tune performance - and what that really looks like in practice.We explore the science behind altitude training, from the physiological adaptations to the realities of living and training in a low-oxygen environment. What benefits are swimmers actually chasing? How are altitude camps structured across a season? And where do the marginal gains really come from?Crucially, we bring the conversation back to club and masters swimmers. Is altitude training realistic, or even worthwhile outside the elite system? We discuss the trade-offs, the limitations, and the alternatives, including heat training and warm weather camps.