Pardoe on the path to redemption
Hector Pardoe’s Olympic debut was brutally cut short by an eye injury, but now he has his sights set on redemption after clinching a dramatic World Championships bronze. The Welsh marathon swimmer charged to Britain’s first 10km marathon swimming World Championship medal for more than a decade on Sunday in Doha. Pardoe’s sensational finish in […]
Four Welsh Athletes set for Doha World Championships
A quartet of Welsh athletes are primed and ready for the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha. The multi-sport event runs from 2nd – 18th February, and with Paris 2024 now less than six months away, the Doha World Championships provides a crucial opportunity for many looking to secure Olympic quota spots or build towards […]
Swim Wales & BHF team up for Swim 60 Challenge
Swim Wales and British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru have joined forces to encourage people of all ages to take part in the Swim 60 Challenge this February for Heart Month. The Swim 60 Challenge could be 60 minutes, 60 lengths or 60 miles – participants choose the time and distance according to personal fitness levels, […]
Diolch! Swim Wales Annual Awards
Diolch yn fawr iawn to everyone who contributed to the Swim Wales Annual Awards 2024. Congratulations to all of our finalists and award winners, your efforts in 2023 have made a huge impact on Welsh Aquatics, and we were delighted to be able to celebrate with you at the Village Hotel, Cardiff. Thank you to […]
Legends of Welsh Sport: Bob Morgan
LEGENDS OF WELSH SPORT: BOB MORGAN Wednesday, 10 January BBC One Wales, 10.40pm A brand-new series of Legends of Welsh Sport looks back on some of the greatest and most inspiring sportsmen and women Wales has produced. This episode looks at the highs and lows of Wales’ most successful diver, Bob Morgan, including an incident […]
President’s Blog: Aquatics for Health
In her latest blog, Swim Wales President and Public Health Wales All Wales Diabetes Prevention Programme Manager Keri Hutchinson delves into the role aquatics can play in a person’s mental and physical health. As a health professional, I have extolled the virtues of swimming and aquatic activity to improve health and wellbeing to many who […]
SW Winter Championships Report
Records tumbled as hundreds of swimmers battled it out across three days of action at the Swim Wales Winter Championships 2023. A total of six Welsh records were broken at Wales National Pool during the short course championships as Olympians and Commonwealth Games medallists took to the pool. Day 1 Day one in Swansea witnessed […]
Swim Wales Chair Allen Bewley Retires
Allen Bewley has retired from his role as Swim Wales Chair following eight successful years. Allen has made a significant impact on Welsh aquatics during his time in post and will leave a lasting legacy as he steps away from the Board of Directors. Swim Wales Vice Chair Ian Jones will step into the role […]
Four swimmers on British World Class Programme
A quartet of Welsh para-swimmers have been invited on to British Para-Swimming’s 2023-2024 World Class Programme. Rhys Darbey, Lily Rice, Dylan Broom and Meghan Willis are part of the 41-strong group of swimmers selected on the back of impressive seasons, with the 2024 Paralympic Games less than a year away. Nofio Clwyd’s Darbey has been […]
Parkwood Leisure earn LTSW Accreditation
Parkwood Leisure, one of the United Kingdom’s leading leisure providers, has been awarded Swim Wales Learn to Swim Accreditation. As a Swim Wales Accredited Provider, Parkwood’s Learn to Swim Programme has been recognised for providing excellence in their delivery, governance and sustainability. More importantly, Parkwood have demonstrated that they are giving their learners the best […]
Five swimmers on 2023/24 World Class Programme
A total of five Welsh swimmers have been invited on to British Swimming’s World Class Programme (WCP) for the 2023-2024 season, with just over nine months to go until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This season’s selections follow a spectacular summer in the pool, which saw eight medals – including two world titles – […]
Harris & Richards selected for European SC Squad
Medi Harris and Matt Richards will fly the flag for Wales as part of British Swimming’s 35-strong team for the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Bucharest, Romania next month (5th-10th December). The majority of the team for Bucharest were part of the group that earned eight medals at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka […]
Regional Championships kit – Order now!
Are you a competitor or supporter at the upcoming Swim Wales Regional Championships? Swim Wales can now reveal our range of official event merchandise supplied by Dragon Prints, which is available to pre-order now! Each region is listed below – just follow the link on the relevant document to order now, or use the simple […]
Theresa Ogbekhiulu: The trainee swim teacher who shed her fear of water
Just 12 months ago, Theresa Ogbekhiulu could only splash around in the shallow end of the pool due to a fear of deeper waters, but now she is inspiring others on their learn to swim journeys. Theresa moved to Wales from Nigeria aged 16 and went on to study at Swansea University where alongside her […]
National Squads Confirmed
Swim Wales has confirmed the National Swimming and Para Swimming Squads for the 2023/24 season. A total of 121 athletes have been selected across the performance pathway for the upcoming season, with 16 of these earning a place on the Swim Wales National Elite Squad, which comprises of the top-level Welsh athletes competing at senior […]
Swim Wales strengthens Freedom Leisure Partnership
Swim Wales, the recognised National Governing Body for aquatics in Wales, has strengthened its relationship with with one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit leisure trusts, Freedom Leisure, after signing a new partnership agreement. Freedom Leisure operate over 100 leisure, cultural and entertainment venues across the UK with the mission of improving lives through leisure, and […]
Swim Wales partners with Swansea University
Swim Wales, the National Governing Body for Aquatics in Wales, is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with Swansea University. This new multi-year collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Swim Wales and Swansea University and reinforces our shared commitment to nurturing talent, driving innovation, and promoting aquatics at all levels. Together, […]
Llanishen Reservoir S.A.F.E for swimmers
Open water swimmers can now enjoy the newly reopened Llanishen Reservoir after it was awarded S.A.F.E (Safe Aquatic Facility Endorsement) Cymru accreditation. Dwr Cymru opened the gates to Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs this summer following an extensive redevelopment that has breathed new life into the 19th century landmark. Located just a few miles from the […]
Challenge Series set for grand finale
The Swim Wales Challenge Series 2023 is set for its grand finale at Llys Y Fran Reservoir on Saturday. Hundreds of swimmers are set to take part in the event, which blends the competitive Swim Wales Open Water and GB Masters Open Water Championships with open Challenge Series races, which give swimmers of all levels […]
Swim Wales mourns death of Bronwen Poole
Swim Wales were deeply saddened by the news of Bronwen Poole’s recent passing. Bronwen passed away last month following a lifetime of service to her beloved Welshpool Sharks. Bronwen, who passed away peacefully aged 76, was a founding member of the club over 40 years ago and went on to dedicate her time and efforts […]
Swim Wales partners with Parkwood Leisure
Swim Wales, the recognised National Governing Body for aquatics in Wales, has partnered with one of the UK’s leading leisure management companies, Parkwood Leisure, to deliver the Learn to Swim Wales framework in their facilities across the country. The collaboration aims to provide further opportunities for participants to learn how to swim and improve their […]
SWSS Become First Gold Accredited Provider
South Whales Swim School have become the first provider to be recognised with the Swim Wales Learn to Swim Gold Accreditation. The Learn to Swim Gold Accreditation rewards excellence in governance, sustainability and effectiveness, all of which have been showcased by SWSS on their journey to Gold Accreditation. Based in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf, […]
Competition Pathway and Event Structure Improvements
Swim Wales has introduced several enhancements to the swimming and para-swimming competition pathway and event structure for the 2023/24 season. Following an extensive review of our Performance System conducted between September and December 2022, Swim Wales has conducted an in-depth Competition Pathway and Events Review, resulting in a series of recommendations for our events calendar […]