ANACONDA SWIMMING CLUB
SWIMMING
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SWIMMING -
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FULL RATINGS COMING SOON
NBRH SCORE: TBC / 5.0
Anaconda Swimming Club, in partnership with Hackney Aquatics, is more than a swim club—it’s a London legacy in motion. Rooted in Islington and Hackney, it offers a full pathway from Learn to Swim all the way to national-level competition. Whether you’re diving in for the first time or chasing PBs, Anaconda’s coaching and culture will get you there—with joy, discipline and a serious sense of belonging.
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How it all started…
Anaconda Swimming Club has been in existence for over 50 years. It began under the name of St. Joseph’s, a group that was started at the school on Highgate Hill. This was an after-school Club organised by a Mrs Kim Commins for pupils at the school who wished to improve their swimming. The group grew and people from outside the school began to join. At this point it was felt that the name needed to change in order to reflect the changing membership. Suggestions were invited from the members at the time and ‘Anaconda’ was born. Anaconda’s first coach was Jim Dowston, who was responsible for the move towards a more competitive approach. During this time and for the next 25 years, Mrs Commins was a driving force in keeping the Club running.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s Anaconda had some 120 members, including those in the teaching scheme. It trained national age group champions and national finalists. One of the swimmers from this era, Bernie Graietl, just missed selection for the Great Britain Team for the World Championships by 0.14 seconds.
For much of the 1980s and into the early1990s Anaconda faced a difficult period and was hampered by closures of four of its training pools and the loss of funding. At one point the membership fell to about 50 and the Club was faced with a date by which it would fail to be able to pay its way.
In 1993 Anaconda embarked upon a restructuring programme, with a leap of faith and a new keen committee; new teachers were employed, advertising was embraced, and a new business-like approach was brought into the running of the Club. Over the next few years the numbers at the Club grew progressively to over 400 and promoted an enthusiasm from swimmers, committee members, coaches and parents/guardians. By the end of 2002 the Club had three national age group qualifiers, district and county champions, six nationally ranked swimmers and one swimmer who ended the year as the fastest 50m freestyler in the 1988 national age group for girls.
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How can I change, add or cancel lessons?
Please complete this form: Changing, adding or ending learn to swim. If you choose to cancel within 14 days of your initial booking, any unused sessions will be refunded. After this 14-day period, a full calendar month’s notice is required for cancellation, starting from the 1st of the month.
How do makeup lessons work?
One makeup lesson is allowed per month and must be after the missed lesson, at the same pool, the same level, and the makeup lesson must not be full. To book into a makeup lesson please use this form. The SportsEngine system keeps track of accrued makeup lessons automatically and attending a makeup lesson will be recorded on your swimmers attendance record.
Do you have a bursary program?
Yes, please see Access Fund for details on eligibility and how to apply.
How can I contact the teachers?
You can send a message to your child's teacher using the mobile app using these instructions.
Can I register my child who is three for lessons?
We now have learn to swim lessons (1 to 4 ratio) for three year olds. Please visit the Little Anaconda page for details.
For our standard learn to swim provision when they are four you will be able to book an assessment. The booking timeslots are released 35 days in advance. Wait lists are operated for full sessions but to join your swimmer must have completed the assessment.
Should my child attend one weekly session or two?
Please check in with the teachers poolside for guidance. The majority of swimmers who progress from swimming lessons to our Academy squad progressed from two weekly sessions.
Do you have a waitlist?
We have waitlists for full sessions. To join the waitlist please register for lessons and check out. Once a place becomes available you will receive an email notification and have 24 hours to accept the place. We have a limit of 2 places per session on wait list to ensure your swimmer has a reasonable timeframe for starting lessons.
How can I update my email, address or payment card details?
This can be done using the app, please see the links below to install. Help and FAQs for the app are here.
How can I support Anaconda?
Please visit this page for details on how to support us (e.g. through GiftAid eligible donations) financially or email volunteers@anacondaswimmingclub.org.uk to see how you can get involved!
How can I see what lessons and session times my children have?
Please install the SportsEngine Motion app. This will allow you to see class times, attendance history, future and previous charges, update your payment details and more
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