The national survey invited parents, coaches, volunteers and participants to share their experience of aquatics. Swim England said the responses would help inform work on membership systems, the website, competition review and wider support for everyone involved in the sports.

That national picture matters, but the same principle applies locally. Every club hears feedback all year round: a parent asking about gala entries, a swimmer confused about progression, a volunteer unsure who owns a job, or a coach spotting the same communication problem every weekend.

Feedback should not live in passing conversations

Most club committees are not short of opinions. The harder bit is turning those comments into a simple routine that survives busy pool nights, inbox overload and volunteer turnover.

A healthy feedback loop needs three basic ingredients:

• a clear place for members and parents to raise useful comments;
• a way to group themes without naming and shaming individuals;
• a committee habit of reviewing actions and telling members what changed.

Without that, feedback quickly becomes background noise. The same issue can be raised by five different families, but because it arrives through five different routes, nobody sees the pattern until frustration has already built up.

Why this matters for swimming clubs

Swim England's wider work has repeatedly linked member voice with culture, welfare, systems and support. Its values and vision roadshows were built around hearing from members, clubs, learn-to-swim providers, operators, coaches, teachers and partners after the Heart of Aquatics Listening Report.

For clubs, that is not abstract governance language. It affects everyday trust. Families want to know how decisions are made. Volunteers want jobs to be realistic and properly handed over. Coaches need admin processes that support swimmers rather than distract from them. Committee members need evidence, not just whoever spoke most loudly at the last meeting.

Swim England's Club Health Tracker focuses on areas such as coaching and teaching, financial management, pool operator relationships, governance, growth and volunteers. Those are exactly the areas where regular member feedback can help clubs spot strengths and weaknesses before they become bigger problems.

Make feedback manageable

Clubs do not need a corporate research department. A simple monthly rhythm is usually more useful than an annual burst of survey energy that disappears into a spreadsheet.

Useful questions might include:

• what are members asking about most often?
• which admin jobs are creating avoidable work for volunteers?
• where are parents or swimmers unclear about next steps?
• what can the club explain better before the next meet, term or AGM?

The important part is closing the loop. Even a short update such as "you said, we did, still reviewing" can make a club feel more organised and open. It also reduces the sense that feedback vanishes the moment it is submitted.

The admin layer matters

Good listening still needs good records. If feedback is scattered across WhatsApp messages, old emails, paper forms and committee memory, it is difficult to prioritise fairly or prove that concerns have been handled properly.

That is where SwimClub Manager can support the less glamorous side of club life: keeping member records, roles, communications and actions easier to manage in one place. It will not decide what a committee should do, but it can help make sure useful information does not get lost between sessions.

The lesson from Swim England's survey is not simply that members should be asked for views. It is that clubs work better when listening becomes a routine, not a one-off exercise.

Sources: Swim England 2026 Member Survey; Swim England values and vision roadshows; Swim England Club Health Tracker launch.

The research looked at the experiences of more than 1,000 parents and over 600 swimming teachers. Its clearest message is simple: for families of neurodivergent children, understanding a child’s individual needs matters more than location, progression, cost or class size when choosing lessons.

That is a strong reminder that inclusion is not just a policy statement. It is something families feel in the way a club asks questions, shares information, adapts sessions and gives teachers enough support to respond calmly when a swimmer is anxious, tired or overwhelmed.

What the findings mean for clubs

The report highlights a gap that many clubs will recognise. Teachers and coaches often want to support neurodivergent swimmers well, but do not always feel confident adapting sessions or communicating with parents. Almost a third of swimming teachers who responded said they had not received neurodiversity training since qualifying, even though many regularly see neurodivergent-related needs in lessons.

For club committees, lesson coordinators and welfare teams, that points to a practical checklist:

• make it easy for parents to share useful information before the first session;
• agree what teachers, coaches and volunteers need to know, and how that information is kept up to date;
• review whether class sizes, ratios and poolside routines are working for swimmers who need more predictability;
• use visual aids, simple instructions and consistent session structures where they help;
• build neurodiversity training into the club’s regular workforce development plan.

None of that requires clubs to create a completely separate pathway. In fact, Swim England’s message is the opposite: the goal is to help the existing workforce make realistic, achievable adaptations so more children can enjoy safe, supportive swimming.

Training is the next practical step

Swim England is pointing clubs, operators and teachers towards its An Introduction to Neurodiversity in Aquatics CPD. The three-hour theory-based course is open to people aged 16 and over, including teachers, coaches, volunteers, officials and the wider aquatic workforce.

That makes it relevant beyond learn-to-swim providers. Competitive clubs also rely on parent volunteers, team managers, officials and coaches who may be supporting swimmers through busy changing areas, noisy galas, unfamiliar venues or changes to routine. A little shared understanding can make those moments easier for swimmers and for the adults supporting them.

If a club is gathering information about swimmers’ needs, it should be easy to record, find and act on that information without it getting buried in email threads or one person’s notebook. SwimClub Manager can help clubs keep member notes, communications and volunteer responsibilities organised so the right people have the right context at the right time.

A useful moment to review your own setup

The findings are current, but the issue is not new. Many clubs already have dedicated teachers, coaches and volunteers doing excellent inclusive work. The opportunity now is to make that support more consistent, less dependent on individual memory and easier for new helpers to understand.

A good first step is to ask three questions at your next committee or teaching meeting: how do families tell us what a swimmer needs, who sees that information, and what changes do we make because of it? If the answers are unclear, this new Swim England research gives clubs a timely reason to tighten the process.

Sources: Swim England and Neurodiverse Sport research findings; Swim England training courses calendar.

For clubs, the story is bigger than one famous pool. It is a useful reminder that major-event investment only really works when it leaves behind facilities that communities can actually use once the medals have been handed out.

What has changed at Tollcross?

The main pool reopened on Thursday 30 April following refurbishment supported by £2.9 million from Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council. The work focused on core pool and plant repairs, including re-tiling the main pool and refurbishing the filtration system.

A further £850,000 from the Glasgow 2026 venue readiness fund has upgraded the main pool area for Games delivery. According to Glasgow 2026, that includes improvements to spectator seating, lighting, competition starting blocks and the video board, with those additions remaining as permanent legacy items for the venue.

That matters because Tollcross is not just a showpiece arena. It is a working community facility, a training home, a club venue and a place where thousands of people have learned to swim since it opened in 1997.

Why clubs should pay attention

When a major facility comes back into use, clubs feel the benefit in practical ways: more reliable training water, better competition conditions, stronger spectator experience and a clearer pathway from grassroots swimming to elite events.

Glasgow Live reported that Tollcross regularly welcomes more than 1,000 recreational and club swimmers each day. That single detail says a lot. International-standard venues are not only for international-standard athletes; they support the ordinary weekly rhythm of squads, lessons, volunteers, families and local swimmers.

Duncan Scott, who helped mark the reopening, made the same point when he described high-quality local swimming facilities as vital for grassroots participation, community health and inspiring the next generation.

The real legacy test

Swimming has seen plenty of "legacy" language around major events over the years. The useful question for club committees is simpler: will the investment still help swimmers on a wet Tuesday evening in November?

In Tollcross's case, the answer looks promising. Pool infrastructure has been repaired, competition equipment has been modernised and spectator areas have been improved. Those are not cosmetic extras; they are the kinds of upgrades that can make events easier to run and training environments better to use.

There will still be some disruption. Tollcross is expected to close again to the public in mid-July ahead of the Games, with exact dates to be confirmed. Clubs using or visiting the venue will need to keep an eye on those access arrangements.

A useful lesson for every swimming community

Most clubs will never train in a Commonwealth Games venue, but every club understands the pressure on pool space. Reliable facilities shape retention, volunteer workload, meet hosting, lesson progression and the confidence of swimmers coming through the pathway.

The Tollcross reopening is a positive example of investment joining up three audiences that are sometimes treated separately: local swimmers, clubs and elite competition. When those needs are planned together, the sport gets more than a short burst of attention. It gets infrastructure that can keep working after the event has moved on.

For SwimClub Manager users, this is also where good administration quietly supports the bigger picture. Clubs with clear registers, meet planning, volunteer coordination and communication are better placed to make the most of quality pool time when it becomes available.

The headlines may focus on Glasgow 2026, but the lasting story is closer to home: good pools, properly maintained and genuinely accessible, remain one of the strongest foundations British swimming has.

That might sound like sector language, but the practical meaning is simple. A pool that supports strong lessons, inclusive sessions, workforce training and health-related activity is more useful to the whole community. It is also more resilient when budgets, staffing and pool time are under pressure.

What has happened?

Swim England and Parkwood Leisure have renewed their strategic partnership for a further five years, with a stated focus on professional excellence and accessibility. One of the main developments is Parkwood Leisure and Lex Leisure working towards the Swim England Water Wellbeing accreditation.

The accreditation is designed to help facilities widen access for inactive people and those living with long-term health conditions. The partnership announcement also points to specialised staff training, water-based sessions linked with exercise referral programmes, and more accessible pool environments.

At the same time, Swim England has announced a new Stoke-on-Trent City Council partnership to deliver the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme across Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Dimensions Leisure Centre and New Horizons Sport and Leisure Centre. That work will include workforce training, technical guidance and support for a structured pathway from first water confidence through to lifelong aquatic skills.

Swim England has also announced a collaboration with Hydrohex, a virtual aqua fitness platform aimed at helping operators fill programming gaps at flexible and off-peak times. Its focus is not swimming technique, but accessible water-based activity such as low-impact strength, cardio and dance sessions.

Why clubs should pay attention

Most swimming clubs are not running leisure contracts, but they depend on the same ecosystem. When pools become better at serving lessons, rehabilitation, older adults, beginners and inactive people, the whole aquatic pathway becomes stronger.

For clubs, that can affect several practical areas:

• more confident children arriving from learn-to-swim programmes;
• clearer relationships with pool operators and local authorities;
• more opportunities for teachers, coaches and volunteers to develop;
• better understanding of how pool time is used across the whole community;
• stronger evidence that swimming facilities support public health, not only sport.

That last point matters. Clubs often feel the impact when pool operators face difficult decisions about timetables, staffing or session viability. Being able to show that swimming supports health, confidence, inclusion and local participation gives the whole sector a stronger story.

Access needs administration behind it

Inclusive pool access is not only about good intentions. It needs organised people, clear records and reliable communication. Lessons need registers, teachers and progression notes. Health-related sessions need suitable staff training and risk awareness. Club pathways need handovers that do not depend on one volunteer remembering who spoke to whom.

That is where clubs can quietly make a difference. A club that keeps member information, welfare notes, volunteer roles, lesson enquiries and parent communication tidy is easier for families to navigate. It is also easier for pool partners to work with.

SwimClub Manager can help with that unglamorous but important layer: keeping the right information in the right place so committees, teachers and volunteers are not relying on scattered spreadsheets, old emails and WhatsApp threads.

A broader view of the pool

The useful lesson from these announcements is not that every club should suddenly run health programmes or virtual aqua classes. It is that clubs should understand where they sit in the wider pool picture.

A child learning to be safe in the water, a parent returning to activity after injury, an older adult using aqua fitness, a volunteer helping at a gala and a squad swimmer chasing county times all rely on the same fragile resource: accessible, well-run water space.

If clubs can speak that language with operators and councils, they are better placed to protect their own needs while supporting the wider community case for swimming. That is good for participation, good for facility sustainability and, ultimately, good for the swimmers who come through the door next.

Sources: Swim England and Parkwood Leisure partnership renewal; Swim England and Stoke-on-Trent City Council Learn to Swim partnership; Swim England Hydrohex collaboration.

Recent regional championship information from Swim England London and Swim England South West makes the point clearly. Coaches, team managers and chaperones need the right accreditation before they are allowed onto poolside, and clubs are being asked to provide volunteers and officials across sessions.

Why this matters before meet weekend

For the Swim England London Summer Championships, coaches, team managers and chaperones must apply through the Swim England National Poolside Pass system. The event information says applicants need the appropriate qualifications and safeguarding checks in place for the whole period covered by the pass, and that each individual must download their pass before attending.

Swim England South West has taken a similar practical approach for its 2026 Summer Championships. Its event update says all coaches and team managers must hold valid accreditation, only accredited coaches and team staff will be permitted on poolside, and clubs entering swimmers are expected to provide volunteers across the sessions.

None of that is surprising, but it is easy to underestimate. A gala weekend can involve multiple squads, several team managers, last-minute withdrawals, young volunteers, officials, chaperones, poolside helpers and parents travelling at different times. If the club does not know who is covered, who has printed or downloaded the right pass, and who is available for each session, small admin gaps quickly become big poolside problems.

A simple club checklist

Club committees and competition secretaries do not need a complicated system to reduce the risk. They do need a clear routine before every major meet:

• confirm which adults need poolside access for each session;
• check safeguarding and qualification dates before the pass deadline, not the night before the event;
• record who has applied for, received and downloaded or printed their pass;
• make volunteer and officials requests visible to parents early;
• share venue rules, access arrangements and warm-up information in one place;
• agree who handles changes if a coach, team manager or volunteer becomes unavailable.

The same checklist also helps protect volunteers. If expectations are written down, parents know what is needed and team managers are not left trying to remember every detail from old emails, WhatsApp messages and spreadsheets.

Safeguarding is operational, not just procedural

Safeguarding requirements can sometimes feel like paperwork, but meet weekends show why they are practical. Poolside is busy, noisy and restricted for a reason. Event organisers need to know who is supervising swimmers, who is authorised to be there, and whether those adults have the correct checks and training.

Swim England's training calendar is also a timely nudge. Multiple Safeguarding in Aquatics webinars are listed in mid-May, alongside teacher, coach and volunteer-related training. Clubs that review their records now can spot gaps early and give people time to book the right course before summer racing or open meets.

Where SwimClub Manager can help

This is exactly the kind of low-glamour administration that makes a club feel well run. SwimClub Manager can help clubs keep member records, volunteer roles, team communications and meet preparation in one place, so competition staff have a clearer view of who is attending and what still needs doing.

The aim is not to create more admin for busy volunteers. It is to make the existing admin easier to trust. When poolside passes, safeguarding dates and volunteer cover are checked early, coaches can coach, swimmers can race and parents get fewer last-minute messages asking for paperwork nobody can find.

Regional championships will always have moving parts. Good club systems cannot remove every wobble, but they can stop avoidable access and safeguarding issues becoming the story of the weekend.

Sources: Swim England London Summer Championships 2026; Swim England South West Summer Championships 2026 update; Swim England training courses calendar.

The change is built around a secure API, which allows trusted systems used across the swimming community to connect directly with Swim England's data. In everyday terms, that means less copying and pasting, fewer duplicated records, and a smoother route to accurate times for clubs, coaches and event organisers.

For busy swimming clubs, this is exactly the kind of improvement that matters. A lot of club admin is done by volunteers, often after training sessions, galas and long weekends poolside. Anything that reduces manual entry and helps keep data consistent can make a real difference.

Why This Matters for Clubs

Official times sit at the heart of competitive swimming. They help coaches track progress, support meet entries, and give swimmers and parents confidence that results are being handled properly. When that information has to move between different systems by hand, it can take time and mistakes can creep in.

By opening up a secure route for approved software providers, Swim England is helping create a more connected digital setup for the sport. Clubs should get a more reliable experience, and the people running those clubs should have one less admin headache to deal with.

Built Around Club Feedback

Swim England says the API was developed in response to feedback from affiliated clubs and members. A volunteer project group also helped guide the work, making sure the end result was useful for real club workflows rather than just technically neat on paper.

That practical focus is good to see. Club software only earns its place when it saves people time and makes everyday jobs easier, so building this around what clubs actually need is an important step.

What Happens Next?

Clubs interested in using the new connection should speak to their club management software provider in the first instance. Swim England has also said it is continuing to work with SportsEngine, formerly TeamUnify, so more clubs may be able to benefit from similar improvements in future.

For SwimClub Manager users, we will continue to support better, cleaner ways of managing club data as these integrations develop. It is a positive move for clubs, for volunteers, and for the wider swimming community.

You can read Swim England's original announcement on the Swim England website.

The report highlights an entrenched culture of fear, racism, neglect, and extreme competitiveness. These unsettling revelations, including 19 safeguarding incidents currently under investigation, have sparked a nationwide dialogue about the need for comprehensive reform.

What lessons can be drawn from this situation, and how might this serve as a turning point for the sport? The subsequent discourse seeks to explore these pivotal questions.

Key Takeaways

• A review unveils a toxic culture of fear, racism, and neglect in swimming clubs, causing significant distress among participants.
• Swim England's handling of reported safeguarding incidents, including bullying and abuse, has been criticized for bias and negligence.
• Swim England has acknowledged its shortcomings and committed to a 12-month plan, Heart of Aquatics, to address these pressing issues.
• Continued funding for Swim England from stakeholders like Sport England hinges on the organization's effective response to the identified problems.

The Toxic Culture Within Swimming Clubs

Swimming clubs' toxic culture, marked by an ongoing and systemic culture of fear, has been a significant point of concern, reflecting the extreme competitiveness and victimization issues that plague this community. The toxicity is pervasive, with athletes, volunteers, and parents fearing retaliation if they voice their apprehensions. Whistleblowers often face threats and intimidation, further exacerbating the culture of silence.

The toxicity is not limited to interpersonal relationships but also extends to ingrained prejudices, warranting urgent action to confront racism and foster inclusivity, particularly for diverse ethnic communities. Para swimmers and those with special needs frequently report feeling undervalued and overlooked, making it crucial to address these issues in the process of transforming the culture within swimming clubs.

Unveiling the Wide-Ranging Review Findings

The comprehensive review conducted by Swim England uncovered a multitude of alarming issues, with 19 safeguarding incidents currently under investigation serving as a stark testament to the magnitude of the problems within the swimming community. These findings have sent shockwaves throughout the sport, bringing attention to serious concerns that need addressing.

• There is an urgent need for investigating safeguarding protocols, with a multitude of allegations reported.
• The culture within the swimming community has been found to be toxic, causing fear and intimidation.
• The issue of racism is prevalent and needs addressing to foster inclusivity.
• The welfare of athletes, particularly children, is at risk due to excessive demands.
• Lastly, there is a need to ensure transparency and accountability, with allegations of wrongdoing often dismissed.

These findings mandate immediate action to reform the culture of the swimming community.

Experiencing Real Pain and Suffering

In the wake of the comprehensive review, a disturbing picture emerges of real pain and suffering endured by participants within the swimming community, stemming from a culture of fear, intimidation, and systemic toxicity. The culture shock experienced by many participants has had severe implications, from psychological trauma to physical harm.

The review underlines the urgent need to address these issues. The trauma experienced by individuals requires significant attention to foster a healing process. As the swimming community grapples with these revelations, it is evident that the path to recovery will demand a substantial cultural shift and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding participants' welfare.

Implementing Changes Based on Findings

Addressing the deeply-rooted issues within the swimming community necessitates a comprehensive approach, one that Swim England has pledged to undertake in response to the review's findings. The focus is due to be on addressing safeguarding issues, with a healthy cultural transformation at the forefront of their efforts.

To initiate this change, Swim England plans to:

• Implement new safeguarding policies and procedures to protect athletes.
• Establish a robust reporting mechanism for allegations of abuse or misconduct.
• Foster a culture of respect and inclusivity within the swimming community.
• Provide training for coaches and staff to ensure a positive and safe environment.
• Continuously review and improve these measures to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

The journey to cultural transformation is challenging, but it is a crucial step towards a healthier swimming community.

Stakeholder Reactions and Responses

Responses from key stakeholders to the concerning revelations in the review were swift and decisive, underscoring the magnitude of the issues within the swimming community. Sport England acknowledged the report's details of abuse, racism, and a poor culture in swimming, emphasizing the importance of addressing the significant issues.

Stakeholders applauded Swim England's commitment to change and its readiness to act on the review's recommendations. Support networks were identified as critical for those affected by the toxic culture, and these networks are now being strengthened.

Stakeholders are also advocating for robust accountability measures to ensure that the proposed changes are implemented effectively. The community's response reveals a unanimous consensus: the culture within swimming must change, and the safeguarding of athletes should be prioritized.

Our team's exceptional performances in Aberdeen have left us in awe. With an impressive medal haul of 22, including six golds, seven silvers, and nine bronze medals, it's safe to say that we are making quite the splash in the world of para-swimming.

But that's just the beginning. There's so much more to discuss, so stick around to discover the individual highlights and the Scottish successes that have contributed to our remarkable performance.

Great Britain's Medal Haul

Great Britain's dominance at the Para-Swimming World Series in Aberdeen is evident in their impressive medal haul. The British para-swimmers won a total of 22 medals at the event, including six golds, seven silvers, and nine bronze medals. Their standout performances contributed to more than half of the 24 podiums having at least one British representative.

One of the stars of the event was William Ellard, who won two golds and a silver. Megan Neave also had a notable performance, winning her first-ever World Series gold in the Female MC 100m Backstroke. Mark Tompsett, in his inaugural international competition, won bronze in the Male 100m Backstroke.

Individual Highlights

Several para-swimmers had standout performances at the Para-Swimming World Series in Aberdeen, showcasing their exceptional skills and determination.

One notable performance came from Megan Neave, who'd a breakthrough performance by winning her first-ever World Series gold in the Female MC 100m Backstroke. Neave improved her time from the heats to the final and scored an impressive 910 points.

Another standout performance came from Mark Tompsett, who made his international debut and won a bronze medal in the Male 100m Backstroke. Tompsett aims to make the team for Paris and perform well in the upcoming London meet.

Both Neave and Tompsett demonstrated their talent and potential on the world stage, leaving a mark in the Para-Swimming World Series.

Scottish Successes

Scottish swimmers achieved remarkable success at the Para-Swimming World Series in Aberdeen. Their outstanding performances haven't only brought glory to their country but have also boosted their future prospects in the sport.

The impact of Scottish success on the team spirit has been significant, as it has inspired and motivated other team members to strive for excellence.

Here are five highlights of the Scottish swimmers' achievements at the World Series:

• Toni Shaw and Faye Rogers won gold medals for Great Britain.
• Brock Whiston achieved podium finishes, winning silver and bronze.
• Shaw, Rogers, and Whiston dominated the podium in the Female 400m Freestyle.
• Whiston improved her time from the heats to the finals in the Female 200m Individual Medley.
• The Scottish swimmers' exceptional performances have raised expectations and created a positive atmosphere within the team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and determination to succeed in future competitions.

Key Takeaways

• The Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen is the first stop of the 2024 series and the British Para Swimming Meet.
• The event will feature high-quality racing from Thursday, 1 to Sunday, 4 February, with 22 countries participating.
• The British Para-Swimming Team is the largest in the event, with 57 athletes, including medalists from previous championships.
• The event is significant for athletes as they prepare for the 2024 Paralympic Games and is the last chance for international competition on home soil before the British Swimming Championships.

Event Overview

The Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen promises four days of exhilarating racing, showcasing the world’s top para swimmers as they compete at the Aberdeen Sports Village.

This event is a great opportunity to witness incredible athletic performances and witness the true spirit of para-swimming. With athletes from 22 countries participating, we can expect fierce competition and inspiring displays of strength, skill, and determination.

The event highlights the talent and dedication of these remarkable athletes, who’ve overcome numerous challenges to reach this elite level of competition. From start to finish, every race will be filled with excitement and anticipation as these incredible para swimmers push themselves to their limits.

British Para-Swimming Team

With a team of 57 talented athletes, the British Para Swimming Team is ready to make a splash at the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen. This powerhouse team includes Paralympic medalists such as Rebecca Redfern, Jordan Catchpole, and Tully Kearney, who have consistently showcased their skills on the international stage.

Their impressive performances have contributed to Team GB’s dominance in the world of para-swimming. Alongside these seasoned athletes, rising stars like Alice Tai, Ellie Challis, and William Ellard will also be competing, eager to make their mark.

With a total of 12 medals won at the Manchester 2023 World Para Swimming Championships, these athletes have proven their ability to excel under pressure.

The British Para-Swimming Team is poised to continue its success and inspire the audience with its outstanding performances.

British Para-Swimming Winter Meet

Get ready to witness the future stars of British Para-Swimming as they showcase their incredible talent at the highly anticipated British Para-Swimming Winter Meet.

This event, running parallel with the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen, is a platform for young athletes to shine and make their mark in the para-swimming world.

Here are four things to look forward to at the Winter Meet:

• A total of 75 Brits will compete, displaying their potential and determination.
• The Winter Meet features a National Meet Final and a World Series Final, providing a platform for athletes to test their skills and compete at different levels.
• The races are conducted in a multi-classification format, ensuring fair competition across various disability categories.
• This event not only showcases the future stars of British Para-Swimming but also serves as a stepping stone for their journey to international success.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to witness these incredible athletes in action as they strive for greatness.

Live Streaming and Results

The entire competition can be watched on the British Swimming YouTube channel, allowing fans from all around the world to witness the thrilling races and cheer on their favourite athletes. The heats start at 9:30 am, followed by the finals session at 5 pm each day.

For those unable to watch the live stream, live results for the event are available on the Swim England and British Swimming websites. This partnership with Swim England ensures that the results are easily accessible to the public, adding to the transparency and excitement of the competition.

The impact of these live streaming and results goes beyond entertainment, as they also play a significant role in Paralympic qualification. Each athlete’s time is converted into World Para Swimming points against their classification, ultimately determining their eligibility for the Paralympic Games.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Countries Are Participating in the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen?

A total of 22 countries are participating in the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Aberdeen. This event is a key landmark for athletes before the 2024 Paralympic Games, showcasing the best talent worldwide.

Who Are Some of the Top Athletes Representing Great Britain in the World Series Event?

Some of the top British para swimmers at the World Series event include Alice Tai, Ellie Challis, and William Ellard. They have already won 12 medals at the World Para Swimming Championships and are ready to make more waves in Aberdeen.

How Many Medals Did the British Para Swimming Team Win at the Manchester 2023 World Para Swimming Championships?

At the Manchester 2023 World Para Swimming Championships, the British Para Swimming team won an impressive 12 medals. Their success has had a significant impact on the para-swimming community, inspiring future athletes and setting new Paralympic records.

What Is the Purpose of the British Para-Swimming Winter Meet, and How Many British Athletes Will Be Competing?

The purpose of the British Para-Swimming Winter Meet is to showcase the future stars of British Para-Swimming. A total of 75 British athletes will be competing, demonstrating their incredible talent and determination.

What Is the Format of the Races in the Winter Meet and How Can Viewers Watch the Competition Live?

The races in the Winter Meet are conducted in a multi-classification format, showcasing the future stars of British Para-Swimming. Viewers can watch the entire competition live on the British Swimming YouTube channel, with heats starting at 9:30 am and finals at 5 pm each day.

Dominant Displays: Not to be outdone, Olympic Champion Tom Dean seized gold in the 200m Freestyle, outpacing teammates with a commanding 1:46.35. Kieran Bird, another Tokyo Olympian, made waves in the 400m Freestyle, securing victory by a mere four-tenths of a second.

Females Forging Ahead: On the women’s front, Holly Hibbott shone brightly, bagging two medals, including the 400m Freestyle title, along with a bronze in the 100m Butterfly.

Team Triumphs: The event showcased British swimming prowess, with Jacob Peters, Jono Adam, and Ed Mildred also grabbing gold in their respective events.

The British squad’s performance at the Flanders Swimming Cup sets a promising tone as they gear up for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Doha. With their sights set on more gold, the team’s strong start to the year signals exciting times ahead in the pool.

The History of the FINA Diving World Series

The world series has been an annual event since 2007. You might also see it referred to as the FINA/CNSG World series, in recognition of the series’ sponsor the China National Sports Group.

The event sees the very best competitors come together to challenge each other, with most teams made up of past Olympic team members along with ‘wild card’ entrants who can provide some surprises. It offers an opportunity to see some of the finest diving sport on earth.

Previous Years

Although England usually plays host to one leg of the diving world series, the venue has changed over the years. From 2007-2011, that venue was in Sheffield however since then Glasgow and the capital have both hosted the event. This year, the final leg will be hosted at the London Venue, as it did during the 2019 event .

The London Venue

As you would expect, a competition between some of the world’s greatest divers needs to be hosted in a top-class venue. This year, the London Aquatics Centre , part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will again play host to the FINA diving world series.

Built as part of the Olympic and Paralympic village for the London 2012 games, the London Aquatics Centre was opened to the public in 2014. Since then it has offered swimming and diving lessons to thousands of local people. There are two 50 metre and one 25 metre pool available with a total of 12 diving boards.

The 2020 FINA Diving World Series

This year’s world series will take place over four different venues, one less than the 2019 event. The event kicks off in Montreal, Canada on the 28th of February, moving on to Beijing for the following weekend. Following a short break, the competition resumes in Kazan, Russia on the 20th March. The London Aquatic Centre is home to the competition from March 27th-29th.

FINA described London as having provided an ‘outstanding stage’ for the competition in 2019, and there can be no doubt that having international competitions such as this at the venue continues the legacy of the Olympic Games by keeping British diving at the forefront of people’s minds.

Building on Success

The British team enjoyed some success in the 2019 world series, with Jack Laugher and Tom Daley both placing first in their events. We wish the 2020 contestants every success and look forward to their inspiring performances.

Can We Help?

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Project 56 was young Adam Peaty’s goal to break his own record and swim the 100m breaststroke in less than 57 seconds. He had already broken the world record (which belonged to him) but he still wasn’t satisfied.

Keep reading to learn how Adam completed Project 56. You’ll be impressed, surprised and maybe even inspired.

Who is Adam Peaty?

Adam Peaty is a 24-year-old British swimmer. Not just any swimmer, though! He currently holds two world records, one in the 50m and the other in the 100m.

From the small English town of Uttoxeter, he started swimming at age nine and his teachers quickly recognised his gift. Uniquely enough, he didn’t start seriously training for the Olympics until he was 17 years old!

He has since beaten many world records, won countless championships both in the UK and internationally, and won the Olympic gold medal in 2016 for the 100m. He swam it in 57 seconds. But he wasn’t done there!

Beating the current world record and setting his own was not enough for Adam. He set his sights on Project 56, his goal to swim the same 100m in less than 57 seconds.

Read more about the FINA World Championships. It’s broken down into the highlights, so it’s a quick and awesome read!

Project 56

Adam became an Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 when he swam the 100m breaststroke in 57.13 seconds. Two years later, he broke his own record when he completed the same event in 57.10 seconds at the European Championships.

Closer and closer to 57 seconds, but not quite! After the 2016 Olympics in Rio, he set a lofty goal for himself: swim the 100m breaststroke in less than 57 seconds.

This was incredibly ambitious because, besides him, no man had ever done it in even 58 seconds! And no one else was even close to 57 seconds at that point. Having accomplished 58 seconds, though, he set his sights high.

He trained for three years to complete his Project 56. Then, at the World Championship this year in South Korea, his ambition, determination, and hard work paid off: he astounded the crowd and swimmers everywhere by swimming the 100m breaststroke in 56.88 seconds!

He trained tirelessly, set a zealous goal, trained even harder, and made history. His inspiring story shows what determination in athletics can really do.

The Power of a Goal

Just one goal: swim this race just one second faster. It seems simple, right? One second shouldn’t make that big of a difference, right?

Well, no one in history had ever been able to do it in the 100m breaststroke. Until Adam Peaty.

He showed the world the power of a firm, ambitious goal.
Don’t miss out on other stories like this: check out our other articles about UK swimming news. And good luck to Adam at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics!

Image credit – Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil

With a few more days left to go in the FINA world championships, the action has been nothing short of riveting.

Competitors from around the globe descend on Gwangju, South Korea to showcase their prowess in the arena of aquatic sports. As usual, there has been no shortage of action or historic moments in the 18th world championships.

Whether your passion is competitive swimming, artistic swimming, or even water polo, there is undoubtedly something here to pique your interest!

Let’s take a look at what has been going on so far.

FINA World Championships – The Highlights

In terms of total medal count so far, China currently leads the pack with 29 individual medals, followed by the United States (26), Russia (25), and Australia (18).

China also leads in regards to gold medals with 16, followed by Russia (12), and the United States and Australia are tied for 3rd overall with 7 gold medals apiece.

Diving

In the realm of diving competition, English divers Tom Daley and Matty Lee secured an Olympic spot with a bronze medal in the 10m synchronized dive.

Aisen Chen and Yuan Cao of China took home gold with a total of 486.93 throughout their six dives. That was just ahead of Viktor Minibaev and Aleksandr Bonbar of Russia, who scored a total of 444.60 in six dives.

This is the sixth medal via the World Championships of Tom Daley’s career and sets him up to attend his fourth Olympic Summer Games.

Open Water Swimming

In the men’s 10km race, it all came down to Florian Wellbrock of Germany and Marc-Antoine Olivier in a photo finish.

Olivier took home the silver, while German Rob Muffels rounded out the podium with a bronze medal.

Swimming For All

There is nothing like the aura of the FINA World Championships. But that doesn’t mean you can’t create that atmosphere at your swim club, because you absolutely can.

From document management, website management, gala management and more, you won’t remember how you ever managed your swim club without it!

To ensure the country’s continued presence in international swimming tourneys, British Swimming has released a 25-strong team list that will compete at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships from 12-28 July in Gwangju, South Korea.

The team comprises both young and seasoned British swimmers. But will they be up to the Gwangju challenge?

Here’s a list of some new UK swimmers to watch out for at the competition and in the coming years.

Cameron Kurle

Kurle, who was part of the British swimming team at the Rio 2016 Olympics at age 19, has won gold, bronze, and 2 silver medals for Team Britain in both the European and Commonwealth Championships.

He’s part of the National Centre Bath Club with a personal best of 1:47.63 mins in the 200m Freestyle.

Nicholas Pyle

With a personal best of 25.10s in the 50m backstroke category, Pyle is set to represent Team Britain in the FINA to be held in Gwangju, South Korea.
After coming in seventh at the FINA World Junior Championship in Indianapolis, he made a surprise breakthrough in 2018 senior European Aquatic Championship.

He helped the British team win gold in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2018 European Championship. He’s currently part of the Newcastle Swim Team.

Georgia Coates

Coates, like Kurle, was part of the Olympic UK swimmers that competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This 20-year old swimmer for the National Centre Bath Club is also coached by David McNulty. She has a personal best of 54.39 in the 100m Freestyle short course.

In the Rio Olympics, she was part of the Women’s 4x200m Freestyle relay team that secured a spot as finalists. She competed in 3 other events in the Olympic Games.

Jess Fullalove

Fullalove is a Commonwealth Games Finalist that will be part of the 25-person British team chosen to represent at the FINA in South Korea.

She won a gold medal at the 2014 British Championship that saw her represent Team England at the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow that same year.

Anna Hopkin

She made her debut British title in 2017 when she won the 50m Freestyle. She was also part of the team that won the bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

The medalist whose coach is Neil Harper is part of the Ealing SC.

Expect to See More Upcoming UK Swimmers Featuring at the Global Stage

The above-highlighted swimmers are only a few of the many new UK swimmers to watch out for in Gwangju. There are many more new talents that made it to the 25-strong team.

Plus, the UK, through its many swimming clubs and organisations continues to scout for young promising swimmers to represent the country in different competitions around the world in the future.

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Great Britain will now be hosting the 2019 World Para-Swimming Championships in London between September 9 and 15 at the London Aquatics Centre. This comes after the announcement that the right to host the championships were taken from Malaysia due to the nation banning athletes from Israel.

This is an important event in the para-swimming world since it is a key qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

There will be 600 swimmers competing in the 2019 World Paralympics Championships, who will be representing 60 different countries.

Interest in the Paralympics continues to grow. A cumulative audience of 4.1 billion people in 150 countries watched the 2016 Paralympics, which was a growth of 127% over the past 12 years.

Keep reading to hear more about some of these exciting athletes!

Para-Swimming Athletes to Watch

With all the athletes coming to London, there will be many to keep your eye on. The stage is set for some exciting competition, with many seasoned swimmers as well as promising rising stars seeking to make their marks.

Below are some impressive highlights showing off some of these athletes recent results.

Elizabeth Marks

American Elizabeth Marks won gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in the 100m breaststroke and a bronze in the 4x100m medley 34pts.

That same year, she won 4 gold medals at the Invictus Games in Florida. Prince Harry presented her with one of the medals but she gave it back to him, asking that he give it to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, Britain. Papworth Hospital had saved her life in 2014.

Daniel Dias

Daniel Dias from Brazil has won more medals than any other Brazilian Paralympian.

At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, he won gold in four events: 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke. He earned silver medals in the 100m breaststroke, 4x100m freestyle relay 34 points, mixed 4x50m freestyle relay 20 points. He also got bronze in the 50m butterfly, 4x100m medley relay 34 points.

Ellie Simmonds

Ellie Simmonds is a five-time Paralympic champion. She’s won 32 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals over her carrier.

Most recently she earned gold in Rio in 2016 in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 400m freestyle.

Anna Stetsenko

Ukrainian Anna Stetsenko broke a 20-year-old record in the 50m freestyle at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where she also earned gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle and the 100m backstroke.

She got silver in the 400m freestyle.

Oliver Hynd

Oliver Hynd is a three-time Paralympic champion. At Rio 2016, he won gold in the 400m freestyle, 200m individual and silver in the 100m backstroke.

In the 400m freestyle, he broke his own world record.

Mary Fisher

New Zealander Mary Fisher’s most recently won a gold medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the 100m backstroke.

In 2015, she won gold in the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley and won silver in the 400m freestyle and 50m freestyle.

Be Sure to Watch the Championships!

There is sure to be a lot of action at the 2019 London World Para-Swimming Championships.

The athletes will be out there trying to beat their personal bests and swimming against the best in the world to qualify for the 2020 Toyko Paralympic Games.

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24-hour swim – June 22nd & 23rd 2019

The 24-hour swim is one of the toughest swimming challenges around and definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted. This trying event takes place in Loch Venechar in Central Scotland and involves you swimming a mile in the loch every hour – for a whole day.

It’s a bittersweet situation, as the quicker you are to complete the mile, the longer you’re able to rest and eat. However, push yourself too hard and every hour is going to feel worse and worse.

This is definitely a swim for those with great stamina and are looking for something different. The total distance swam will be greater than the English Channel!

The Thames Marathon – August 4th 2019

When you think of the Thames, you don’t consider it to be an ideal swimming location. However, upstream from the stretch of river that runs from London the river is fresh and free from pollution, ideal for a swimming marathon!

The Thames Marathon involves entrants swimming 14km from Henley on Thames to Marlow.

The Hurly Burly – September 28th 2019

Looking for a picturesque and slightly more laidback swim? The Hurly Burly could be perfect for you. Set in North Wales, the swim begins on Barmouth beach and finishes in Penmaenpool.

This is a 10-kilometre race which goes by relatively quick thanks to the spring tide lending a helping hand. The event also offers a run-swim so you can do both if you really want to.

Malaysia, a majority Muslim country, made the decision to ban athletes due to what Kuala Lumpur sees as Israel’s poor treatment of Palestinians. The event was due to take place 29th July.

The decision was condemned by the Israeli, saying it was ‘shameful and totally opposes the Olympic spirit’.

“When a host country excludes athletes from a particular nation, for political reasons, then we have absolutely no alternative but to look for a new championships host,” said International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons.

Despite all this, the IPC said they had been reassured by the Paralympic Council of Malaysia two years ago that all eligible athletes would be able to safely compete in Kuching. However, within this time there has been a change in political leadership and the new government have other plans.

Syed Saddiq, Malaysia’s minister of youth and sports defend the country’s decision. He explained Malaysia would have “lost our moral conscience and moral compass” if hosting an international sporting event was “more important than safeguarding the interest of our Palestinian brothers and sisters who are being mutilated time after time again”.

After a whopping 157 days at sea, Ross Edgley has returned to Margate, the same spot he began his journey. He’s managed to navigate his way around the UK (literally) on nothing more than his own will power and muscle strength. Ross rested on a support boat and didn’t step foot on land until the day he completed the day he completed the journey five months later. Keep reading to find out all about his inspiring journey and the important milestones he met along the way.

June – Setting off from Margate

On 1st June 2018, Ross began his trip by diving into the English Channel from the Kent coast. He was waved off by fans, family, and even the Mayor of Margate. He was off to a great start and made amazing progress on his first six-hour swim.

Next, Ross had to cross the Strait of Dover, a busy shipping channel with over 500 ships passing through every day. He was able to sprint across, completing the challenging just moments before a ferry crossed his path.

The first few weeks proved to be a challenge, with Ross suffering from ‘salt mouth’ due to all the salty water, resulting in chunks of his tongue falling off. He also developed severe neck chafing, which he tried to stop by covering his neck in duct tape and even swimming bare-chested, bringing him close to hypothermia.

Crossing Britain’s second-biggest shipping lane

After the Dover Strait, Ross then had to face Portsmouth Shipping Lane. He’d been given a 20 minute slot to cross, but minutes into the sprint the support boat broke down and he injured his shoulder. Ross had no option but to keep going, so he powered through the pain and was able to swim the 3.7 miles in the nick of time

Day 20 – Jellyfish

After learning to cope with neck chafing and salt mouth, Ross was faced with another challenge. “Just when I think I’ve got this whole thing figured out… jellyfish!” says Ross. “The first one wasn’t so bad,” he explains, “but once I took, like, the tenth one, straight to the face…”

July – getting his first world record of the journey

“This is probably the most important point of the Great British Swim so far,” Ross says, when he became the first person to swim the entire length of England’s South Coast, taking him just 30 days. He also ticked off another record by swimming 16 miles in only 9 hours.

Crossing the Irish Sea

Setting another British Swimming Record, Ross managed to swim 60 miles across the Irish Sea. During this time, he completed his longest swim yet: 16.3 nautical miles in a single tide.

August – half way round

Ross reached the official halfway point at The Mull of Kintyre, having swum 877 miles past England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

Second World Record

On 14th August, The Great British Swim became the world’s longest staged swim. He passed the previous record of 73 days set in 1998. However, he needs to complete the swim otherwise it will be marked did not finish.

Swimming with Sharks

“Today, Scotland decided to spring a little bit of a surprise on me,” says Ross, having spent the morning swimming alongside a shark. “I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about sharing the swimming pool with a basking shark,” he explains, before getting back in the water.

Third World Record

When Ross reached John O’Groats, he’d beaten another world record by swimming 900 miles in just 62 days. Modest as ever, Ross explained “It honestly feels amazing but it was never really our intention. The pace and speed that we set was just necessary to try and get all the way around Great Britain in the weather window.”

September – Crossing the Moray Firth

Ross swam 60 miles across the testing Moray Firth in Scotland, trying to race against the easterly gales that were due to hit soon. At this point, he was spending more time swimming than sleeping.

Swimming back into England

Ross was of course excited and enthusiastic about making the cross back into English waters. It was a huge marking moment for him and offered a huge motivation boost.

The arrival of Storm Callum

When Storm Callum hit the East Coast on the day of Ross’ birthday, the team were forced to take refuge. “If you’re going to stop the Great British Swim for a storm, now’s a pretty good day,” says Ross, who spends the day wearing a Viking helmet. “I’m a year older, I’m a year wiser and I’m trying to practice being this chubby, old, wise, sea Buddha,” he joked.

4th World Record

On 4th November 2018, Ross completed his swim and became the first person to swim around the entire coast of Great Britain without setting foot on land once.

The Great North Swim is the largest open-water swimming event in Europe and will be taking place in Brockhole on Windermere at the Lake District. It’ll be a weekend-long event, starting on Friday 7th June and ending Sunday 9th June.

This swim is great event for swimmers of all levels with distances ranging from half a mile to 10K. Still think this sounds like a bit much? The Great North Swim are re-introducing their Swim250 event from last year, where you’ll only be swimming 250 meters (10 laps of a 25 metre pool). So, if you’ve been wanting to take part in an open-water swim but are worried about long distances, this is a great way to test the waters.

Anyone over 8 years old can take part in the Swim250 event, and is a very popular choice for families. Those between the ages of 8 and 12 need to be accompanied by an adult and those aged over 13 can do the swim alone.

There’s no need to worry when taking part in the swim, as there will be lifeguards, safety kayakers and boats monitoring you all the way round. So, if you feel like you need a breather or are struggling, help will never be far away.

Want to take part in the Great North Swim this year? Click here to buy tickets.