Hoylake Amateur Swimming Club has been at the top of the Peninsula League League for 21 years, a fact which hasn't gone unnoticed by younger members of the Club who are determined to continue the strong tradition of "swim to win." These days the club concentrates on competitions at both local and national level.听 Swimmers take part in a training programme which demands high levels of fitness, and many hours of their free time. Sessions take place before and after school, six days a week.听 The challenge is welcomed by three members of the club who've each known success in recent months. | "The pressure is on all the time to do better" | | Michael Duncan, Vice Captain |
16 year old Laura Armstrong the club captain says she takes the role very seriously, "I've been a member since I was eight, and my favourite strokes are breast stroke and front crawl. I compete for the Cheshire region and have recently travelled to Sheffield and Manchester to represent Hoylake.听The secret to winning is staying focused on the race." Michael Duncan is Vice Captain, he's also 16 and sees his role as encouraging even younger swimmers to be successful but to have fun as they develop their style and increase their speeds. Michael has loved the baths since he was 2 years old having been introduced by his mum, also a passionate fan of the sport. He's won two bronze medals at national level and represented his country last year competing against the top swimmers from Scotland, Ireland and Wales, "The pressure is on all the time to do better.听 There are other people coming through so I've got to do my best to stay ahead. I don't think I could give this up it's too big a part of my life. There's also a great social side to it, you get to sit off with friends and have a laugh and go out together."
 | | Swimming club members with lucky mascot |
Laura Sweeney is also Vice Captain and she loves to train, and hard.听 To improve her pace in the pool, Laura gives herself just one day off a week, she says it's not the taking part -听it's the winning which is important,听 "You feel like a failure if you don't win, it's upsetting.听 When you win it's good because you know that your hard work has finally paid off."听 Laura, who's 15, says her next goal is to compete in the national event.听 "That would make me proud, my mum, dad, nan and grandad who've never stopped supporting me."听 Laura, Michael and Laura have been part of a 主播大秀 project to write their own webpage as part of the 主播大秀 RAW campaign.听 Watch out for these three you might well see them on the winner's rostrum in the 2012 London Olympics.
 | | Swimming Club Members in the 1940's |
Hoylake Amateur Swimming Club was formed in 1931 following the refurbishment of Hoylake Open Air Baths.听 The first swimming gala took place in September of that year attracting an estimated 4,500 spectators.听 The Club had a very successful Water Polo team which won numerous titles and in 1966 a synchronised swimming team called "The Flamingoes" was formed and coached by Mrs. Pinky Stabback.听 The baths boasted several diving boards which were used for competition and entertainment. Comedy acts were hired to amuse the crowds before the start of the annual gala and eventually swimming club members formed their own group called "The Aquamaniacs". During the eighties, competitive swimming took priority and Hoylake joined the Speedo league North West in 1985 coming a creditable 8th out of 33 clubs in the first year.听 Were you a member? Perhaps you know someone who was. Could you share valuable photographs, cine footage and memorabilia which could be used in future exhibitions and publications.听 Call Bruce Dodd, Honorary Secretary on (0151) 342 1279.听 He's also the one to call for membership details. | 
