SWINTON SWIMMING CLUB HEAD OFF TO THEIR TWIN TOWN OF LÜNEN TO BRING BACK THE TROPHIES

Originally the club went as part of the twinning set up but then when funding sadly stopped the club decided to carry on, the rest is history.

This year (2018) they are taking their youngest team ever, ranging from 8/9-year-olds up to senior swimmers.

Leaving on Wednesday 4th of July they will make the journey overnight from Hull to Europort and then onwards to their base of operations at a hostel in Dortmund.

The 2-day gala is held at Cappenberg in Lünen which is Swinton’s twin town. Swinton has always had strong links with Lünen and although the club is self-funded through raffles, quiz nights, bag packing's, they fly the flag with pride for their hometown.

SSC does not receive any grants but has been very lucky this year to have gained sponsorship for their kit from various local companies including Morson's International which has kindly supplied the stylish rucksacks and hoodies, Manchester-based IT Consultants Cloud53 provided some equally stylish polo shirts, Safeguard International who donated the teams swim caps, Boels and Belmont Kitchens who funded drinks bottles and Aldi in Swinton who provided Microfibre towels. Without the help of sponsors, the trip would not have been possible.

The gala is an international meet in a 50-metre, open air pool. This will be a first for many of the clubs swimmers so to introduce them to swimming in open water they held a session at the Quays on Sunday 24th June and again will be holding another on Sunday 1st July. The team loved it.

Pre-gala they train at Volspark , again a 50-metre open-air pool next to Borussio Dortmund's ground. So a must visit to the football clubs shop is on the cards.

In the previous visits, the clubs swimmers have won many medals for both individual and team events. Their trophies can be found proudly displayed in the clubs ever-growing trophy cabinet at their home in Pendlebury leisure centre.

Once the gala is over, the club members will spend a day relaxing at the close by movie park, giving the swimmers, parents, coaches and team manager a chance to kick back and unwind after what looks to be a hectic 2-day schedule.

The club has a faithful group of supporters who never fail to cheer them on, parents and swimmers fly in and out over the 2 days due to work commitments but they never cease to amaze and the club really does appreciate them making the effort to show their support.

When everything is over they will leave on Tuesday to arrive back in Swinton on 11/7/18, treasured memories made with friendships and bonds formed by both swimmers and parents alike.

Here's to a successful visit!