Age groups

[Speedy Gonzalez]

There's a bit of controversy over here in Spain at the moment as, up until two years ago, the age groups for open water swims were the same as for indoor competition swims, i.e. 25-29, 30-34 etc. However, they changed this and now it's 25-39 years, and then 40+.

I feel that this is very unfair - a 40 year old competing against a 25 year old hasn't got much of a chance.

What's the situation in GB? What are the age groups there?

[JET]

It varies over here in UK depending on the event. I take part in sea races which are obvously classified as Open Water. Some are 5 year age bands upto the oldest swimmer and others this year are 10 year age bands up to 49 then just 49+ which is unfair on older swimmers. There is no fixed age range it just depends on organisers.