Aquatic antiques: Swimming off this mortal coil?

In recent years it has become widely accepted that one of the greatest demographic challenges facing most developed societies is the shift to an ageing population. Older people are often constructed as dependent and over-burdening societal resources, with many consequently experiencing marginalization, discrimination and social isolation. Public health messages, promoted through various national and international policies, suggest that physical activity may be a ‘solution’ to the ‘problem’ of becoming elderly. This article draws on the stories of Masters swimmers, all aged over 60, identifying the enabling and constraining factors influencing their involvement in this sport. The findings suggest that, for those with sufficient capital, swimming enables a challenge to perceptions of the burden and dependency of older people. In particular, swimming facilitates the development of a socially desirable identity, and is used as a form of resistance to the stigma of an ageing body. However, it is possible that this reinforces an individualistic healthist discourse and simultaneously reproduces the privileges of youth and social class.