Latest Info
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Welcome to Hornchurch Swimming Club!
We coach swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Our squad structure and flexible training times allow children to progress their swimming and compete in galas without sacrificing their other interests.
Learn To Swim
Hornchurch Swimming Club works in partnership with Paddlers Swim School for Learn to Swim classes. Lessons are held at Coopers School, Upminster (Monday, Wednesday & Friday evenings) or St Edwards Primary School, Romford (Saturday mornings).
For further information please contact Keely Chalker
Tel – 07976 644550
Email – swim@paddlers.co.uk
Once swimmers have reached the correct standard of swimming, we encourage swimmers to join Hornchurch Swimming Club. Swimmers will train with our coaches on our standard pay-as-you-swim model and are then eligible to compete in the Club Championship galas.
Train and Compete
Gala squad drop-in training sessions run throughout the week (but never in the early morning).
We compete in league galas on weekends during the season. We compete in the Essex Mini League, East London Mini League and Essex League (for all age groups starting at ‘age 9 and under’).
There are also higher level galas for our fastest swimmers, and Club Championship galas throughout the year for everyone.
Masters and Open Water
Masters drop-in training sessions run 5 times a week, with additional open water training and open water events during the season.
Club Structure
We partner with Paddlers Swim School for the ‘learn to swim’ phase of swimmer development.
We have training groups suitable for swimmers from around 5 years of age who can swim at least 50m. Our improver lessons focus on establishing good technique in all four strokes, as well as racing dives and turns.
Children progress through the learning groups into the training squads. Squads do not have a compulsory training schedule – all sessions are pay-as-you-go via tickets purchased in books of 10, or cash on the night.
All children are encouraged to attend our main club session on Friday evenings at Harrow Lodge pool in Hornchurch. Other sessions are optional and are held at either Harrow Lodge or local school pools. We have no early morning sessions.
If you are interested in joining the club, please contact us to arrange a trial for your child so that we can start them in the group or training squad best suited to their current standard.
Galas and Events
Most children enjoy swimming against other children. The club provides the opportunity for all members to taste competition.
The first introduction to competitive swimming is provided in the club’s own championship galas. A large proportion of these swimmers will go on and be selected by the club to swim in one of our league gala teams and for those that want to go further, the club organises entries into a number of ‘open’ galas. (For more details – venues, selection processes, age groups, race distances etc – please see our galas page.)
Club Championships
Club championship galas run quarterly and are open to all members – including those swimming widths in our improvers lessons. Strokes and distances change at each gala for each age group. The club presents medals to all age group winners and runs age group aggregate trophies across all club championship galas throughout the year.
League Galas
The club competes in several leagues: The East London Mini League, the Essex Mini League and the Essex League. These galas are for swimmers who haven’t yet achieved their Essex County qualifying times. The mini leagues operate a time-faulting system. For each event, a standard time is set, and if swimmers break that time, they score no points. This keeps the galas competitive for swimmers at the intended level. Points are awarded for each race and count towards the club total for the season. Clubs compete for top position in the league table over the season. There are no individual medals.
Open Galas
Our most capable swimmers enter Open Galas. These have no time caps and offer a route to representing the county in national galas.
Open Water Events
Our masters swimmers (and some of our squad swimmers too!) enter various open water events throughout the season. Masters are encouraged to give open water swimming a go because we think it’s great fun, but there’s no expectation for everyone to join in.
Run Professionally – by Volunteers
Everyone involved in running our club is a volunteer. Our coaches are very generous with their time, allowing us to offer training six days a week and take the squads to galas most weekends. Most of our coaches swam at the club as children and are still here 5 / 10 / 20+ years later! We encourage our teenage swimmers to take coaching qualifications so they can help teach our younger members.
The club has a friendly family atmosphere. Lots of the parents help out – either officially on the committee, by manning the desk on Friday evenings, helping sell raffle tickets and programs on gala nights, or time-keeping on poolside at galas. Members of the committee either swam for the club in their youth, have had children pass through the club, or have children who are currently members.
Hornchurch Swimming Club is affiliated to Swim England. This means the club has a constitution that meets their requirements and is run by a committee. Our coaches can access Swim England’s training resources and our swimmers are eligible for Swim England events and award schemes.
In 2018 we gained SwimMark accreditation. SwimMark is Swim England’s quality standard for clubs. It recognises high standards of governance, sustainability and effectiveness.
Join Us!
If you’re thinking of joining us, please get in touch to arrange a trial (see contact details below).
Contact Information
We have a table in the foyer of Harrow Lodge Swimming Pool every Friday evening from 6-30-9:30pm. Come and chat to us! Whether you’re already a member or considering joining you’ll find a friendly face and all the information you need.
At other times, contact us by phone, email or the social media accounts listed below.
Club Membership
Social Media
WhatsApp group – Pool closures, session time changes and gala reminders are communicated via our club WhatsApp group. Talk to someone at the HSC table on Friday evening to join the group.
Find us on:
Facebook @hornchurchsc
Twitter @hornchurchswim
Instagram @hsc_swim