Betty Haller, daughter Marijke Gibbons and granddaughters Natalie and Tegan all compete in regular competitions for Albury Swimming Club, but it wasn't a natural progression across the three generations.

The Border grandmother took up swimming more than 50 years ago, but gave it away and only recently came back to the sport when her grandchildren were competing.

Marijke never swam as a child either, but got in the pool for fitness and was later "recruited" to swim competitively for Albury.

Her eldest daughter Natalie is the club's captain and has represented the region at national level, while Tegan is among Albury's best young swimmers.

"I had about a 35-year break from 18 until I was 50-odd," Betty, 69, said.

"I enjoy it and I enjoy watching the kids swim. The little ones are so cute and the big kids, when they do the butterfly and freestyle, they zoom down the pool and it's better than watching the Olympics on TV.

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"It's keeping me fit. If I have to compete, I have to get in and actually train, but if I'm not competing I'll start to put it off.

"I can't embarrass myself completely (laughs).

"A few years ago when I was 64, I'm 69 now, I can remember one girl saying to me 'I hope I'm as active as you are when I get to your age'.

"It's got a few parents in because if they can see this old woman can do it, anyone can."

Betty said her aim was to be able to complete the 50m butterfly at 70 this year.

"Words of wisdom from one of the coaches when you go to race is 'just survive'," Betty laughed.

"I went in a 200m freestyle recently. I meant to go in the 100m freestyle and ended up in the 200m.

"Backstroke is my favourite stroke, you don't have to worry about breathing."

Marijke's son, Daniel, was the first to take up the sport but has since stepped away from it.

After many occasions driving the kids to training at 5am, she eventually gave it a go herself around 10 years ago and hasn't looked back.

She's since been a regular entrant in Ovens and Murray events.

"Ovens and Murray has been really supportive of families and have specifically made older categories," Marijke said.

"Typically in competitions you have your age categories for kids and then it's just 18 and over.

"Ovens and Murray made a 25 and over category and a 35 and over category, so some of the older people can get in the pool and not have to compete against the 18-year-olds.

"They just keep getting faster and faster and we're the reverse (laughs).

"The Ovens and Murray pennant races are based on your times, not your age, so they'll split it back to ages and run the race based on your time.

"We often swim against the eight to 10-year-olds because that's our level (laughs).

"Albury Swim Club itself is such a nice, big family club and a lot of the parents are involved in Ovens and Murray as well."

Marikje said the social aspect of club swimming was the biggest benefit.

"It's really nice to have some different age groups mixing as well," she said.

"It's nice to catch up with people and it's a real family atmosphere.

"We've probably got 10 to 12 adults who are swimming and have come on board because their kids are swimming.

"For me it's nice to get in the pool to cool off (laughs)."

Natalie has been club captain for the past five years and taken on responsibility as a coach of the younger age groups.

She's also one of the rare swimmers that enjoys training as much as racing.

"It's such a good club," Natalie said.

"I'm up at 4.30 every morning and at the pool by 5."

Natalie also enjoys the social benefits of swimming and plans to remain heavily involved with club.