Swimming Grace is 'inspiration'

By Helen Shawcross
Inside Out West

I've always liked to think that I am quite good at sniffing out local stories for Inside Out West.

Swimmer Grace on passion for sport

But, sadly I can't take the credit for the heart-warming story about a swimmer from North Somerset, Grace Isaac. It was my dad who told me about her.

He had noticed this lady quietly swimming away at the over-forties swimming session in our local pool at Churchill Sports Centre.

She had "something special," he said. This was no ordinary keep-fit swimmer.

When he questioned her, she modestly admitted that she was in fact a former Olympic swimmer: she had competed at the Helsinki Games in 1952.

Not only that, but at the age of 77, she still competed all over the world and was about to attempt to break a world record.

When I met up with her, at Churchill pool, I knew immediately that her story would really resonate with our viewers.

It also struck a chord with another Olympic swimmer here in the West, Sharron Davies, who agreed to present the feature for Inside Out West.

Glamorous Sharron caused quite a stir at the pool when she came to watch Grace training - and my dad blushed like a schoolboy!

Now I have so much fun: it makes life worth living Grace Isaac

Grace is a real inspiration - whether you are seven or 70 - a real advocate of the benefits of swimming. But not only that, she is positive proof that growing older does not have to mean giving up on goals and dreams.

She overcame a painful divorce, lost her job and her daughter emigrated - but she says that swimming saved her.

"I often wonder, what would I be like if I hadn't gone back to swimming," Grace said. "I'd just be sitting there, eating, feeling sorry for myself. And now, well, I have so much fun: it makes life worth living."

After 40 years away from competitions she has jumped in at the deep end again.

Our cameras followed Grace to Spain to the European Masters Championships. Masters Swimming is open to anyone over 25: you can be 105 and still compete!

Seeing some ladies who were walking on crutches yet who were still making waves in the pool was humbling, and with nearly 4,000 swimmers there.

Grace competed in the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952

Grace joined her fellow team mates to compete in the Ladies Medley Relay. The four team members' ages are added together; they were taking part in the 280 - 319 years category.

And make no mistake: they may be pensioners, but these ladies are fiercely competitive!

The race itself was thrilling - a real nail-biting finish. I'm not going to say look away now if you don't want to know the result - you will have to watch Inside Out West on BBC One.

As for Grace; as I write, she is out in Australia, having just competed in the World Masters Games. She clearly has no intention of hanging up her goggles!

You can watch Inside Out West until Monday, 9 November on the iPlayer .