The Story Behind Every Bluefins Hat
- Spencer Turner
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
November 2025
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?”
The Originals — 2020
Back in 2020, we created two new hats with Jenny at Fastlegs (lifesaver when it comes to last-minute orders!):
Club Standard Hat
Navy, white text, bright blue fin. Every new member outside of Skills Academy receives one. It’s the foundation — the starting point of every Bluefins journey.
Skills Academy Hat
Royal blue with white text, bright blue fin, and proudly marked “Skills Academy.” Designed for our 7–10 year olds as they step from lessons into their first squads, it marks their first real team identity.
Pink Power — 2021
Enter the Club Record Hat. Bright pink, white text, blue fin, and the bold words “Club Record.” At first the boys hesitated… then realised this is the hat to own.
The “Pink Hat” is now legendary. Swimmers scroll the rankings dreaming of one day earning it. It has quietly raised standards across the whole club, fuelling ambition like never before.
The Championship Era — 2022
After Covid, the return of Counties deserved something special:
Both marked the start of Bluefins rising again, with more qualifiers than pre-Covid.
Top Athlete – Train Like a Pro Hat — 2023
We wanted something every swimmer could aim for, not just record breakers.
Gold, blue fin, proudly marked “Top Athlete – Train Like a Pro.”
Awarded for coachability, effort, top trainer, team spirit, and outstanding contributions. Backed by our first sponsor — R&R Autos, Basingstoke — this hat celebrates character as much as performance.
Our very first winners were a trio of young swimmers who stood out in a charity relay fundraiser — a moment that set the tone for what this hat represents.
National Hat — 2023
Our first swimmers at Nationals needed something iconic. Enter the red hat — bold, British, unmistakable. A marker of the highest level reached so far in modern Bluefins.
Swim Camp Hat — 2024
For our Winter half-term camp in Lanzarote, we created something summery to shine amongst the busy lanes of Club La Santa. A clean white base, navy fin, and gold text with “Swim Camp” sign-off made this cap the perfect sun-soaked souvenir.
Winter Dasher Hat — 2024
Clara from Performance sparked this idea — a Christmas hat! But it wasn’t just for fun: it was created as a charity fundraiser for MND in memory of Mark Harper — our Masters swimmer, Official, and Club Parent.
Light blue, sprinkled with snowflakes, and a festive red fin with a white bobble, branded Winter Dasher. We ordered 200… and they flew out in days. Need a spare? Too late — every last one was gone!
Great memories remain of seeing this hat proudly worn in training sessions and again at the Arena League — where it became an instant hit and probably the most photographed Bluefins hat ever.
Masters International Tour Hat
For Masters representing Bluefins abroad, we launched the International Tour Hat to accompany their black and gold club hat.
Navy base, bold red fin, and GREAT BRITAIN proudly across it. A symbol of Bluefins Masters racing together on the world stage, wearing it in relays and smashing countless records.
County Fin Experiments — 2024
Not all plain sailing. The goal was a clear point of difference: silver fin for Counties and gold fin for Regionals. Silver arrived in 2023, but in the water it lacked the impact we’d hoped for.
So in 2024 we tried bronze — think rose-gold chic. Excitement built… until delivery. Oh no, it was brown! Not a good look. A quick reprint in trusty gold saved the Championships.
The unwanted brown batch was stashed in the office — but word spread. Soon the “Poo Hat” became infamous, and to this day it’s treated as a quirky collector’s item.
💬 Swimmer’s Comment: “I love them — I’ve got 3 of them!!”
What’s Next? — 2025 and Beyond
From navy classics to pink legends, gold standards to festive fun, our hats tell the story of Bluefins ambition, culture, and spirit. And the story continues…
The Winter Dasher is back!!!
This year’s festive edition arrives in a sleek Silver, featuring a red Santa hat and a light sprinkle of snowflakes. Lovely.
💙 Discover Bluefins
At Bluefins, we’re proud to celebrate every swimmer’s pathway — from the youngest in our Skills Academy to our performance squads chasing big goals. ✨ Come and see what makes our club special: exceptional quality coaching, community spirit, pathways of progression, and performance success stories. 🚀 Contact our amazing Ali to discuss pathways and arrange a trial - Find out more at bbfsc.org - Your journey starts here.
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