About 10% of Masters Swimmers regularly go to Masters Swim Meets; the other 90% choose to swim for fitness and sociability. Many feel intimidated by the prospect of getting up in front of others and “not doing well.” The unknown is almost always more frightening than the known, so below is a description, borrowed from the Masters Swimming Association of BC website.
In most meets you will swim with others of about your own speed, regardless of their age and sometimes sex. This means you may compete with the opposite sex, and with both older and younger swimmers. Results, however, are determined by five year age groups and sex. At national and international meets men and women swim in separate heats categorized in five year age groups. Meets not only provide personal challenges but provide the chance to socialize with other swimmers from various clubs and to exchange ideas on swimming or whatever. Meets last from a few hours to a day or more. You may sign yourself up only for the race(s) in which you wish to compete. You are in complete control over how many and what events you wish to swim. Other forms of competition include fax meets and open water swims.
To get an idea of what swimmers of your age are doing, browse the meet results page of Masters Swim Canada Here, you can choose your event (stroke), age, and gender. Ask your coach what your times are if you don’t know them.
Masters Ontario also has a page discussing Masters competition that’s worth reading.