"Swimmers’ Journals capture the moments, memories, and turning points that shape a Bluefins swimmer — from races and PBs to confidence, setbacks, comebacks, friendships, and insights away from the pool." I joined Bluefins over the summer break, not really knowing what to expect from a new club where I didn’t know anyone. I was small, skinny, and hardly looked like a swimmer. My parents only put me in lessons because they couldn’t swim themselves.

Keeping teenagers engaged in swimming is one of the biggest challenges across the sport. National research consistently shows high dropout rates during the mid-teens, with many swimmers stepping away from the sport due to pressure, school commitments, or loss of enjoyment. Against this backdrop, Bluefins has achieved something rare: five consecutive years of growth in our 15+ age group. From 2021 to 2025, our senior swimmers have risen from 27 to 58.

Just like every club swimmer, Bluefins love a new hat. Whether it’s for training or racing, there’s just something about pulling on a new hat that makes you feel part of something bigger. Since our 2020 relaunch, hats have become more than just kit — they’ve become part of our identity and culture. Outside the club, our hats spark plenty of curiosity too — and one of the questions we’re asked most often is: “What are the different hats about?”

County Development is the first step on the County Pathway, where swimmers aged 9–14 learn to handle tougher sessions, race more often, and measure themselves against County standards.

At Bluefins, we know that great swimming comes from mastering the small details — but we also know that learning should be fun. This week...