In 1885 there was a club known as Great Yarmouth Swimming Club (GYSC) and at this time the sea was used for the Norfolk and Suffolk championships and Breydon water for "Aquatic sports".
1903 saw the formation of the Britannia Swimming Club under the leadership of Mr. Nat Tuddenham. To be a member of this club a resolution was passed that "Every swimmer must prove himself to be an efficient swimmer by obtaining a proficiency certificate before being permitted from swimming from Britannia Pier". Whilst the Britannia Club was flourishing a rival club was formed called the T.I.S. which was under the direction of Mr. W.E. Green. Later this club became known as the Otter Swimming Club.
In 1914 a suggestion was made to amalgamate the Britannia and the Otter Clubs but this was deferred owing to the First World War 1914-1918. On June 18th 1919, under the Chairmanship of Councillor Frederick Brett, the Great Yarmouth Swimming Club (GYSC) was formed and the silver trophies from both the Britannia and the Otter Clubs were given to the GYSC, and are still competed for annually in the Club Championships.
In May 1921 GYSC used the pool on Southtown Common, and then the Great Yarmouth Bathing Pool which opened in July 1922. The pool was open air, salt water, unheated, unchlorinated, was 100 yards long and 25 yards wide and served the Club until it was demolished in 1980.
To Date
The GYSC continued from those days going from strength to strength and gaining recognition as a high quality swimming club which produces area swimming champions as well as Norfolk swimming champions. The GYSC has many written achievements, records held, cups, shields, medals and titles; the list is too long to be detailed here.
GYSC is a member of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and are governed by the ASA rules and regulations that govern able-bodied and disabled bodied swimming. The Club has male and female members from the age of 7 – upwards. The club is run by volunteers with the current Chairman Mr. J. Vanderwalle, and the Vice Chairman Mrs. P. Moore, who both hold the ASA Judge certificate and are pro-active at club galas. The club is always recognisable by its club colours which are royal blue and white.
Teaching lessons run at the Phoenix pool in Bradwell on Saturday at 8.30am - 10.00am and at the Great Yarmouth High School on Tuesdays 5pm - 6pm. Once swimmers have reached a good standard they move to squad training sessions where they begin their training for competitions. The club competes in the Norfolk Junior League, Suffolk Summer and Winter leagues, Eastern Counties Junior League and the National Swimming League (formally known as the Speedo League). In addition there are various galas throughout the year with GYSC swimmers competing in the Norfolk County Championships and open meets. The club also has its own age group championships, club championships and mini galas.
The club enjoys its success but is always looking to recruit new members to strengthen the competitive team and to teach people to swim as a life skill. If you are interested in joining please feel free to contact Mr Nigel Utting on 01493 377906.
Training sessions for squad swimmers are
Sundays 6pm - 8.30pm,
Mondays 6.30am - 7.30am,
Tuesdays 6.00pm - 8.30 pm,
Wednesdays 6.00pm - 7.30pm,
Thursdays 6.30am - 7.30am and 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Fridays 6.00pm - 8.00pm.
The GYSC has a social and fundraising committee who look at ways of supporting the club. Recent fundraising successes have taken place and a big thank you to
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Active Norfolk
Active Norfolk •Certex
Certex•A donation was made by a very kind person, this was a lovely gesture as the GYSC is self funding and it is very rare to receive help like this.
A donation was made by a very kind person, this was a lovely gesture as the GYSC is self funding and it is very rare to receive help like this. Companies like these are a blessing to the GYSC as the club could never gain equipment with out this type of help which is thankfully received.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information contained on this web site is correct, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any changes (ie prices/ opening times) made by the featured businesses.
Great Yarmouth Sport & Leisure Trust, Phoenix Pool, Mallard Way, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 8JU
t. 01493 664575
