Atlantis Swimming Club

SWIM WITH ATLANTIS SC FOR COMPETITION, FITNESS AND FUN

Atlantis SC was formed in 1979 by Anne Hawley, author of 'Swim Baby Swim' and who also swam for England. The club started with 10 members, all taught to swim by Anne. We travelled to Dorking Pool twice a week for training and trained in 2 lanes. For 2 years we wore our tyres out sprinting up and down the A24.

For 2 years we wore our tyres out sprinting up and down the A24. Even then we were trying to improve our times - the parents that is!. I don't know how we would have convinced the 'boys in blue' - always assuming they had been able to catch up with us - that it was all for the sake of the children.

In November 1981 Horsham Park swimming centre opened and the club took up residence. The club began to grow and then we had various setbacks. The tiles fell off so the pool closed for 7-8 months for repair. We lost well over half of our swimmers and ended up with about 20 who diligently, again with the help of willing parents, sprinted to Maplehurst for training. Then, after building the club up we were set with another 4-month closure to repair the undercroft. This time we were sprinting - and getting ever faster - to Cottesmore School and the old Christ's Hospital pool and without the help of these establishments the club would not have survived.

Our first home gala was held at Horsham and it was great fun to see the spectators getting just as wet as the swimmers.

Our first away gala was at the old Latimer Road pool in Wimbledon. As parents we were wildly enthusiastic. Sadly, this pool had a fire and was badly damaged. Another favourite gala was 'Mighty Minnows' at Elmbridge Phoenix, Walton-on-Thames. Again this pool suffered a fire. Then we tried the Epsom Swim Derby held at the old pool and yes, yet another fire removed this from our circuit. 20 years on and we've gone one better: Horsham totally demolished! - not bad for a small club. Now many of the current parents and swimmers are again racing up and down the A24. This time the other way to Steyning and have been for nearly 2 years.

In 1987 the club held a sponsored swim in aid of Mencap, raising a total of £3,000 which was divided equally between us. David Wilkie who also gave a demonstration and raced against some of the clubs swimmers made the presentations.

Over the years the Club has had its modest share of success. We have had 7 County Champions and 6 who have represented Sussex County. We have also had numerous medallists and finalists in the County events.

Since taking up residence in our new pool in Horsham 'The Pavilions in the Park and employing our first professional Chief Coach Jack Griffin the club has grown significantly and is now starting to achieve greater success.

2004 saw us win the Dijon Cup and the Sprake Plate, we acheived our highest position to date in the Sussex League and was accepted into the Speedo League. Club records are falling with incredible regularity which is probably the clearest proof of the improving standard of swimming being acheived by Atlantis swimmers.

We now look forward to the future when we'll continue to grow and to build on our recent success.

Anne Geale

President of Atlantis Swimming Club

2006 - To date

In late 2005 our new Chief Coach Bill Penny joined us and following a period of settling down the club has started to reach heights never before acheived. With Bills assistance, and to the delight of many of the swimmers overseas training camps were introduced at Club La Santa in Lanzarote. 2007 saw success with promotion in both the Sussex League and Speedo League to Division 1 despite the repeated problems with the pool roof which resulted in periods of closure of The Pavilions. The club has continued to build upon its success and in early 2008 the largest squad ever qualified to take part in the Sussex County Championships. At those Championships two more swimmers have acheived the National Qualifying Times. Who knows what the future will bring...........