History of Accrington Swimming Club

The Club was founded in 1911 and is celebrating being 100 years old this Year

The Club has a number of very long serving members still taking an active part in all aspects of the Club in particular teaching the younger swimmers.
All instructors are volunteers and do not get paid but are qualified to teach swimming and regularly attend courses run and approved by the asa.

The Club has its own championship galas which are held in the latter part of the year and takes an active part in the local friendly league.

The first public baths in Accrington were opened in June 1879 but the town did not take ownership until 1893 when it was purchased for £1,400.

In 1903 a fire devastated the baths, and with the Schools Swimming Association calling for a new pool in the town a second pool was built.
Known today as 'The Old Baths', it was opened 10th April 1911 by the Mayor Alderman A S Bury. (The club to this day still use his donated trophy). The towns committee appointed a male and female instructor and with this an increase in swimming became apparent.
The Schools Swimming Association held their Annual gala there in April and following that the Accrington Borough Swimming Club was founded, having its headquarters at the pool. They had exclusive use of the baths two evenings a week and became members of the North Lancashire Polo and Squadron League.

As the Swimming Club moved away from the towns ownership the Club dropped the word Borough out of its name, although an exact date for this is not known it is believed to be late 1950s early 1960s.

Today we are a voluntary, family orientated club not as competitive as some clubs but non the less all qualified and affiliated to the asa.
We now have nearly 120 members whose ages range from 5 years to over 70 years and swim three days a week at Hyndburn Leisure Centre with a total of 4.5 hours water time.
Our swimmers abilities range from non-swimmers to gala squad swimmers. We also have a Masters group for the older swimmer.
Swimmers after they reach a certain standard and particularly those who succeed in the Club Championship are expected and encouraged to participate in the Friendly League Galas. Besides these galas the club also offers training in Water Skills, Personal Survival Skills, and Life Saving Skills and encourages distance swim certificates.

The Club aims to provide a safe and enjoyable environment, recognising the uniqueness of individuals and together with other swimming organisations provide a quality of swimming that offers opportunities for the potential of each person to be realised.
Our aim is that all our swimmers should feel safe and happy at the Club and in the water environment.