Worthing Swimming Club was founded in 1890 when it first headquarters was at the Heene Baths, Heene Road remaining there until the opening of the Aquarena in early 1968. Upon the latter’s closure in 2013 club activities moved to its current base at Splashpoint.

The club’s earliest success came with water polo reaching the ASA club final in 1901 and providing an England captain (Ernie Payne a local blacksmith). This has continued to the present day with current junior internationals and both strong men’s and ladies’ teams.

Competitive swimming has been equally successful with multiple Sussex County champions, several national representatives and champions culminating in an Olympic finalist (Angela Barnwell) at the Helsinki Olympics of 1952.

Diving has always had a prominent role in the club again proving a GB international and there was a synchronised (artistic) swimming display team in the 1950’s as well as life-saving events.

The encouragement of swimming at all levels has been at the heart of the club’s philosophy-thousands of local children were taught to swim, obtained personal survival awards and numerous long-standing officials have provided the backbone to the club in its successful running and helped with the social side of the sport.

 Dr Ian Gordon (former GB Team Doctor and member of Worthing Swimming Club)