A female swimmer in a red costume laughing with two other women. She is wet and looks like she has just completed a race in the gala.

Our First WeSwim Gala

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On 13th October we hosted the inaugural WeSwim Gala, at the home of our first disabled swimming club in Ironmonger Row Baths.

It was an opportunity to celebrate our swimmers’ achievements and our incredible community of volunteers. As well as saying thank you to everyone who has helped us create inclusive opportunities for disabled Londoners to enjoy the benefits of swimming.

male swimmer sitting on the side of the pool with his legs in the water. He is wearing googles and blue trunks. There is a female volunteer behind him, she looks like she is giving him words of encouragement.
4 swimmers in swimming lanes getting ready to race with a volunteer squatting down at the side ready to cheer them on.
A female swimmer in a red costume laughing with two other women. She is wet and looks like she has just completed a race in the gala.
two male swimmers in two lanes, one is perched on the side of the pool facing someone, the other is smiling and waving into the camera with a female volunteer next to him. They look like they are just about to start their race.
spectators in the gallery holding two signs saying 'go swimmers' and just keep swimming. One of the people holding the signs is madam mayor of Islington wearing her regalia.
Three swimmers getting ready for relay. One is in the water giving a big thumbs up, two are standing on the side looking excited.
Our commentator with a microphone, holding a brochure and smiling into the camera.
The race is on, 4 lanes with swimmers doing front crawl and spectators sitting on chairs behind.
A man looking very happy with several medals strung around his neck.
Our founder Natasha Fleming posing with the Mayor of Islington. Both women are smiling into the camera.
A volunteer receives his medal and is returning to his chair with arms outstretched.
5 volunteers facing the camera holding tupperwares full of baked goods, showing all the delicious cakes they have baked.
a group shot of lots of swimmers and volunteers at the end of the gala, everyone looks happy and lot of people are wearing medals.

A WeSwim Gala works a bit differently. Our swimmers all have different disabilities and abilities, so the races are based on their own personal times. Swimmers submit a time before the gala, and their goal is to swim as close to that time as possible. 

The races have staggered starts based on the submitted times, so everyone should finish around the same time if they hit their target. The winner is the swimmer who comes closest to their submitted time (not the first to finish).

We had a fantastic and joyful day. Big achievements included people swimming further than they ever have before, and taking part in a swimming gala for the first time. Everyone was cheering each other on, and celebrating together.

Thanks also to all our spectators, who came and made a lot of noise for their friends and family!

There was a sense of lovely competition between our five participating WeSwim Clubs as well as lots of support and encouragement.

“I didn’t take part today as I was a bit afraid of competitive swimming so I just came along to support and see how it was. It has been the most supportive warm event I’ve ever attended. Just try and stop me next year.” Izzie, Swimmer

There was something for every ability with 8 races for swimmers, including assisted ½ length races, 1 length races, 2 length races, a swimmer relay race, as well as a diving exhibition and a volunteer relay race.

“This was the first time I’ve swum without a noodle, and I thought I was going to sink halfway but I just kept going. And then I got a medal. It was amazing, I feel fabulous.” Edna, Swimmer

The Mayor of Islington, Councillor Anjna Khurana joined us to celebrate this milestone event and presented the medals at our award ceremony with energy and humour. She had this to say: “Congratulations to everyone who swam today, you are all amazing and I’m coming away from here totally inspired by what WeSwim have been able to make happen”.

Congratulations to everyone who took part, and our medal winners. And a big congratulations to our overall winning club Old Street.

“I will treasure my medal forever” Fulvia, Swimmer

WeSwim wouldn’t be possible without the support of our fantastic funders. This year we have been lucky to secure funding from The London Marathon Foundation, City Bridge Trust, the National Lottery, Culture Mile BID, Cripplegate Foundation & Islington Council to name just a few. Funding is imperative to keep the clubs running, so thank you.

We are very much looking forward to the next gala, see you there!

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