Chester Terrapins Swimming Club

Who we are

Chester Terrapins is a specialist swimming club for people with disabilities who enjoy swimming in supported surroundings. There are currently (July 2016) about 50 members, with ages ranging from around 8 to 60. Swimming sessions are held in the training pool at Chester Northgate Arena, on Mondays (except bank holidays) from 7.15 until 8.45 pm and although not everybody comes each week, there is always a good mix of people training hard, having a gentle swim or simply enjoying the water and the company.

Terrapins relies mainly on donations and weekly subscriptions to finance its activities, but is grateful to Brio Leisure for the use (gratis) of the training pool. Because of this, we charge just £2 per week. All the money we get from the members goes into the kitty and it helps to pay for essential stuff like insurance, NASCH membership, CRB checks, volunteer training, stationery and galas.

What we offer you

We can teach you to swim, help you improve your swimming if you already know how, and if you’re really keen we can train you to be good enough to win medals at galas.

If you need support getting into the water and getting out we do have a hoist. If you require help once you’re in the water, one of the volunteers will lend a hand. For your protection, all volunteers who work directly with the swimmers have had CRB checks.

Our history

The club was set up in 1967 by Tom Clamp and his wife, Vera. At the time Tom was the games master at the King's School in Chester. After his death Vera and former physiotherapist, Joan McCully, ran the club together until their retirement in 1994. Since then a committee and several key helpers have steered the club along, registering it as a charity and strengthening links with NASCH.