It’s been a tough time for many of us during the COVID pandemic this past year, and Hackney Aquatics Club is no exception.
All of us miss the great benefits of swimming – full body workout, boost to general well-being, de-stressing and relaxing, as well the great community of people. We can’t wait to get back in the water!
Like many swim clubs in these uncertain and unpredictable times, we’re fighting to survive with increased lane hire, lifeguarding and coaching costs, and a decrease in member numbers and other sources of funding.
Given the long-term uncertainty of how the COVID pandemic will evolve, this Crowdfunding will provide a boost to help the club position itself for long-term sustainability.
Thank you for helping us through these difficult times.
DISTANCE CHALLENGE
The Masters will be participating in a challenge to raise funds as part of the HAC Crowdfunding campaign.
The Distance Challenge will run from the 15th to the 28th of March (2 weeks!!).
The goal is for each of the Masters Squad members to walk, run or cycle as far as they can each week.
- In Week 1 (15-21 March), we propose the goal of attempting a total distance of 600km as a Team. This is equivalent of 20 people participating to cycle at least 20km cycle and / or 10 km walk / run for the week. The aim is to set the bar high in the 1st week and then we will set a higher bar for the 2nd week so that its more of a challenge.
- In Week 2 (22-28 March), the distance will be "To Be Confirmed" once we see the target we actually hit in the 1st week.
Masters will be tracking their distances using the Strava app, the link to the Masters Strava page is:
https://www.strava.com/clubs/hac-masters
HACKNEY MASTERS
HAC Masters is a vibrant club that offers members much more than just high-quality swim training and competition.
Our HAC Masters is an open, inclusive, community of adult swimmers where there is a lane for a wide range of abilities from competition to novice club swimmers. Members trains for fitness, to improve technique, achieve personal best times, or prepare for competitions and triathlons, or simply to enjoy the pleasure of swimming. Many come to rely on the club for their physical and mental well-being.
We have training sessions at Clissold Leisure Centre in Stoke Newington and the London Fields Lido
And during the COVID restrictions have become regular swimmers at the Stoke Newington West Reservoir.
Our coach, Tony Cronin (the young man in the all black HAC kit below!), is very popular with the whole squad. He is approachable, enthusiastic and experienced at supporting a diverse range of abilities, whether you’re training for competition, or looking to improve fitness.
Those of our HAC Masters who want to compete are encouraged to do so, and Masters enter a range of competitions from local swimathons to County Championships and Open Water Competitions.
Hackney Aquatics Club (HAC) COVID-19 Appeal
Like many clubs at the moment, fundraising is critical to our ability to offer a diverse and inclusive community resource that is open to all swimmers. We have done a great job with our fundraising so far, but we still need funds to support:
- Hardship Fund: This is for anyone who is struggling to afford their membership fees because of the impact of COVID-19 or other financial hardships. This will enable us to continue being an open and inclusive Hackney community.
- Post Lockdown HAC Community Day: The Community Day is for everyone (every youth and adult swimmer, coach, and volunteer) in the swim club to come together to celebrate the Crowdfunder result. It will be an opportunity to spotlight the unique HAC community and bring everyone altogether. This is particularly important for our young swimmers to reconnect with friends and support networks.
HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR MASTERS IN ACTION !!