Save Tonbridge Swimming Club

About Us

Tonbridge Swimming Club is a non-profit community club providing swimming teaching and coaching to over 200 members. The club caters for swimmers of all levels from Learn to Swim to Olympic hopefuls and everything in between. There is also a strong Masters contingent. Our members are a diverse group, who generally reside in and around the Tonbridge area. Founded in 1911, the club held its Centenary Year Celebrations in 2011.

Pre-lockdown the club was going from strength to strength with representations at Junior International level, National, Regional and Kent Age Group Championships as well as a strong Masters section which regularly compete in the Kent, Regional and National Masters Championships. We had just begun an exciting partnership with Swim England by piloting their Start-Para Program. This program was to form a key stepping stone in introducing swimmers to the para-swimming pathway. 

We provide a strong development pathway through both competitive and  development squads. The club aims to meet the needs of these individuals through structured coaching from a basic water skills level, right through to elite competition.

COVID-19 has had a severe impact on the club. When pools closed suddenly in March the swimmers had just come off the back of their most successful County Championships ever with a 2nd place finish in the Girls medal table and 5th overall. For some of our faster swimmers this was meant to be the start of an important year with the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Trials in April. Instead, pools were closed and as a club we were forced to adapt. 

Coaches and volunteers immediately set about keeping members engaged and trying to maintain their fitness/activity levels. Land training was offered every weekday over online video calls as well as extensive weekly Land Training, group chats were created so swimmers could share their lockdown experiences and aspirations for when pools reopened. Sunday evenings became club quiz nights where previously they had been pool nights.

The pools reopening at the end of July meant a welcome return to the water. however in order to stay financially viable, some pools have had to put up their pool hire costs and in order to keep our  members COVID-safe due to government guidelines, the club has had to reduce the number of swimmers in the pool. In order to try to allow swimmer the same opportunities as pre-lockdown we were fortunate to be able to secure some small amounts of extra pool time, this has resulted in further costs to the club. This combination of reduced swimmers in the water and increased pool costs means the club is making significant losses each month. Which your donations will help cover.

Community Matters

The Club provides a vital community service and feel it is important that the benefits of membership are available to all. The Club does not want to pass on these significantly increased costs to its members, as we believe this would not be viable for many. It is important the club remains financially secure long term and that it can continue to support the community  and all our members, including those financially  impacted by the crisis. Tonbridge Swimming Club has been a staple in the community including making national headlines in 1920 by being one of the first institutions to push for mixed bathing.

Your financial help will ensure that Tonbridge Swimming Club can survive and can continue to provide opportunities for our members, both current and future, to grow and develop. All monies raised will go directly to covering the shortfall caused by increased pool fees.

Your donations will help:

• Young children learning to swim, a vital life skill
• Children developing competition skills
• Swimmers with disabilities
• Our members of all ages continue to train so they can compete at County, Regional, National and International Level
• The club survive and continue to be an important part of the Tonbridge Community
• Contribute towards the increased costs of pool hire

Tonbridge Swimming Club is open to new members further details can be found at www.tonbridgeswimmingclub.co.uk/register-for-trial/ 

Tonbridge Swimming Club 100 Years Apart

We will be having a series of challenges alongside the fundraiser that will be updated as we go along.

The 1st challenge will be a Chairman Vs Head Coach race. £270 is the target for this challenge. If you want to see this challenge happen leave a comment with your name and #ChairmanSwimChallenge. The largest donor will get to choose the event.

There will also be a sponsored swim towards the end of the campaign. Full details will be announced soon...