ATLANTIS SWIMMING CLUB IN HORSHAM
Published on 1st August 2024
Atlantis Swimming Club is enjoying another outstanding season, retaining its status as Sussex League champions in July.
As well as being County Champions in one of the most competitive swimming counties in the UK, 11 Atlantis swimmers were selected to compete at the prestigious Aquatics GB and Swim England National Summer Championships this year, a record for the Horsham club.
Among those is Club Captain Katie McNish, 16, who qualified for backstroke and freestyle events at the National Championships, held in Sheffield at the end of July. Having narrowly missed out last year, Katie achieved five qualifying times this year and was hoping to reach the final in at least one event.
She joined Atlantis in 2016 and trains in the pool most days. This requires a huge commitment, especially during her GCSEs this year, but the effort is worth it, she says: ‘It’s something I’m passionate about, so I enjoy training every day. The social side of the club is important to me too, as during my eight years at Atlantis, I’ve made lots of friends.’
‘People sometimes perceive swimming to be an individual sport, but it’s the opposite, as you see the same people at training and at competitions, so the camaraderie is amazing. Of course there are difficult days, especially as a teenager, when you have the pressure of exams and have to make some sacrifices in your social life too. Morning sessions can be tough in the winter when it’s cold and dark outside, but after I’ve been in the pool, I always feel it’s worth it.’
TRIATHLON TRAINING
If the training regime of a keen swimmer sounds exhausting, then spare a thought for Becky Owen. As well as being a member of Atlantis’ Masters squad, Becky represents Team GB in her age group at triathlon, so must maintain fitness not only as a swimmer, but as a cyclist and runner too. Becky swims with Atlantis five times a week and trains in open water in the summer. Yet she also supplements these efforts with gym, cycling and running sessions.
As well as becoming Welsh Triathlon Champion in her age group, Becky has competed at World Triathlon events in France and Spain, and has already qualified for upcoming events in Istanbul and Australia. She also works as an NHS physiotherapist and further work at Atlantis is helping to shape her career.
Becky said: ‘I would love to work with elite athletes eventually, but that is difficult and helping Atlantis swimmers with their strength and conditioning gives me experience that will help me to further my career. The coaches are fantastic, but I try to contribute something different by helping swimmers warm up, minimising the risk of injuries and hopefully resulting in better performances in the water.’
SELF DISCIPLINE
Atlantis Swimming Club was founded in 1979 and is one of Sussex’s most competitive clubs, with over 160 active members. It is based at Pavilions in the Park in Horsham (sessions are also held at Steyning and Billingshurst leisure centres) with training sessions for swimmers aged seven and upwards. Many join after progressing through Swim England’s Learn to Swim pathway.
The club offers a range of training sessions, guiding swimmers from Foundation to National levels and placing them in squads depending on their age, ability and dedication. Those in the Foundation squad attend three sessions a week and are introduced to competitive events and regular race nights. They are coached in all four strokes (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly) and those who show dedication and improvement can advance to the Junior Development and County Development Squads. Here, they will spend eight hours in the pool a week and target qualification for Sussex County events, something that was achieved by 71 members this year, with six becoming County Champions.
The Regional Development Squad requires another step up in terms of commitment, with swimmers training for South East Regional Competitions. No less than 41 Atlantis members qualified for Swim England’s South East Regional Championships this year. Finally, the National Development Squad involves 11 hours of training a week, with sessions held on mornings and evenings throughout the week. Eleven swimmers will compete in the Aquatics GB and Swim England National Summer Championships, a huge achievement and a record for the club.
Andy Lobley, Head Coach, said: ‘We are surrounded by very strong swimming clubs in Crawley, Burgess Hill, Brighton, Dorking and Guildford, so our catchment area is relatively small. However, Atlantis has punched above its weight for some time and in recent years has consistently ranked in the top three clubs in Sussex. This year, we have more swimmers than ever achieving times for National competitions, demonstrating our strength in depth. To have representation at National and British Championships is fantastic, as they provide a springboard for elite competitions.’
‘However, Atlantis is strong at every level of development. Many of our swimmers are not targeting qualification times, but simply love being in the water for their own health, fitness and wellbeing. If young people are here, then they’re fit, happy and have self-discipline. The commitment required by our members prepares them for life after school and college, and we find that those who go on to university usually do very well, as they’re already self-sufficient, focused young people.’
SYNCH OR SWIM
Atlantis also runs Flamingo Artistic Swimming, its synchronised swimming arm, with former member Ranjuo Tomblin having recently won Team GB’s first European gold medal in 39 years (as well as silver and bronze medals) to become Great Britain’s first ever male European Champion in Artistic Swimming in the Men’s Solo category. There is also a Masters Squad for older swimmers who perhaps cannot commit to the schedule of the competitive squads, but still want to swim regularly. One such person is Louis Batten, a long-serving Atlantis member who is now a qualified coach.
Louis said: ‘I’ve been with Atlantis for over 13 years. I joined when I was 10 after progressing through regular swimming stages and still swim several times a week with the Masters squad. There’s no maximum age for the Masters and you’ll find excellent swimmers of all ages in our competitions. I took some time away from swimming during Covid but found I missed being in the pool, so rejoined Atlantis and started competing again. At an age when people often stop swimming, I needed it in my life and now I feel healthier than ever. It’s also nice to help guide younger swimmers and give something back to the club, which has been such an important part of my life.’
PARENTAL SUPPORT
Atlantis is well supported by businesses including Thakeham Homes, Britweb and Alex Harvey Estate Agents. The club’s success also relies on the commitment of parents. Rather than watching poolside, many choose to join the committee and take on dedicated operational roles or help to organise events, fundraise and officiate. Zoe Cartwright has two daughters who have progressed through the club, with 15-year-old Jas currently in the National Squad. Zoe has become a senior official and judge and helps run licensed events across the region, including some organised by Down Syndrome Swimming GB.
Zoe said: ‘I love helping as it’s a great way of meeting people. Although we’re always cheering on our own children at galas and competitions, you get to know parents and swimmers at other clubs too and there’s a great community in the sport. Down Syndrome Swimming GB organises an annual event which this year was held at K2 in Crawley. I responded to a request for officials and it was very rewarding, as you could see how much they enjoyed having their own event. Joining Atlantis does require a big commitment, not just for swimmers, but parents too. Those in the National Squad swim most days, which requires focus and dedication. Not every child can maintain that, but Jas loves it as it sets her up for the day.’
Jade Orosz is a committee member who has three children at the club, including Lia, a County Champion in breaststroke. Jade said: ‘It’s hard when you have children in different groups and I typically spend about 25 hours a week poolside at Horsham, Billingshurst and Steyning leisure centres. However, the payback is that my children are disciplined and focused. It’s not about any of them getting to the Olympics; it’s about giving them an understanding of the rewards that come from hard-work. They are learning skills for life, so as a parent, it feels like an investment in their future.’
WORDS: Ben Morris / PHOTOS: Alan Wright
Further information: www.atlantishorsham.co.uk