We are an outgoing and sociable club that welcomes intermediate and competitive level swimmers. The Club offers 3 to 4 pool training sessions a week. Our pool training takes place in the 25m pool at Poplar Baths Leisure Centre and 50 m London Aquatics Centre (for 7 Saturday sessions Jan-Feb, to prepare you for the long course BUCS).
Our squad groups train separately, each with two lanes per session. However, one session a week (Wednesday 12.30-1.30pm), we have a joint training session. This session is a great opportunity for everyone to experience different training levels and challenge themselves alongside fellow swimmers from other squads.
MINIMUM ABILITY LEVEL REQUIRED:
Intermediate Squad:
Competitive Squad:
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Proficient in all strokes
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Able to swim 200m without stopping
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Knowledge in tumble turns and dives
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Able to swim 50m freestyle in 35s and a choice of two other strokes in:
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Breaststroke – 45s
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Backstroke – 40s
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Butterfly- 40s
All QMBL Swimmers are given the opportunity to train for and compete in LUSL Championships (where we compete in a gala against other universities across London) and Merger Cup (QMBL Swim vs BL Waterpolo, gala and waterpolo)
For the more competitive swimmer, we also compete at our target meets in November & February - the BUCS Short Course & Long Course Swimming Championships based at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield. This is a great opportunity to swim amongst some of the best in Britain, as well as, a great time to bond as a team particularly if you decide to come along as a social member!
Whether you swam at national level or just for fun as long as you are a QMBL student or employee, we can offer you training to match your ability and offer you encouragement to aim even higher!
We look forward to meeting you at our Taster/Trial Sessions (more info on our Instagram & Whatsapp) where you can find out more about us and have the chance to meet the committee to discuss all things swimming.
Trials and Tasters Semester 1 2024
We will be holding 2 trial and 2 taster sessions during the week of 30th Sept 2024, with appropriate exceptions made for those with extenuating circumstances who couldn’t attend the main sessions. Links to the sign-up forms will be available here, on our Instagram page and in the WhatsApp group, ‘Interested Swimmers’. Please select your availability for two out of the three sessions, and you’ll receive an email confirming which session to attend. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please contact a committee member.
Sign up form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtv5hh5I0CugWGx1bNuGcUQpWoOGSer28kbFBsvE26gb40uA/viewform
These trial and taster sessions are designed to help you get a feel for the club. We have minimum requirements for joining the Competitive and Intermediate Squads. Intermediate swimmers will participate in a taster session, while Competitive swimmers will undergo a trial. Throughout the year, there will be opportunities to move between squads.
Please note that attendance at a taster or trial session without a booking is not permitted, and you will be turned away due to health and safety reasons.
You will then be invited to purchase a membership, those who have not purchased a membership past Week 3 will not be allowed to participate. we do not provide refunds.
Bring: Swimsuit, goggles, swim cap, towel, flip flops(optional), bottle of water.
Additional equipment will be provided.
Social Membership Taster:
We offer a Social Taster Membership that allows you to experience the club’s social side without committing to swim training. Your first trial event, Session 25th Sept , is a perfect opportunity to join us at our tables and see how you like it. More information about social events will be on our whatsapp and instagram pages. Our social events cater to everyone, with both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options available.
Be sure to purchase your session tickets: https://www.qmsu.org/event/19837/
Training:
Our training sessions are designed to be both enjoyable and effective, with dedicated coaches ready to support swimmers of all levels.
Intermediate Squad:
In the Intermediate Squad, you'll work on sharpening your competitive skills—honing in on dives, turns, and boosting race pace, all while building endurance. The training is more relaxed and fun, helping you get comfortable with training competitively. It's a great way to keep fit, learn a new skill, and meet like-minded people. Our focus is to prepare you for LUSL and Merger competitions by the end of the academic year, setting you up to advance to the Competitive Squad. There will also be additional opportunities to move squads throughout the year.
Competitive Squad:
The Competitive Squad is for swimmers with prior competition experience or strong knowledge of competitive swimming skills. This squad is dedicated to further developing technique in your chosen events, increasing overall speed, and preparing you for both long and short course BUCS Swimming Championships.
Land Training:
Each Sunday morning committee will host an optional 5km run in Victoria Park, followed by a coffee and pastries at the pavilion cafe. It’s a fantastic way to boost your aerobic fitness while connecting with the team in a more casual setting. Everyone is welcome, including social members!
Membership Benefits:
With your membership, you’ll receive a QMBL swim hat free of charge, with our new logo!!!
Commitment and Flexibility:
We understand our members lead busy lives, so while we encourage regular attendance, our membership is designed to be flexible. You have access to all sessions, allowing you to join as often as your schedule allows.
Training Times
Tuesday: 18:30-19:30 (Intermediate) & 19:30-20:30 (Competitive) at Poplar Baths Leisure Centre.
Wednesday: 12:30-13:30 at Poplar Baths Leisure Centre
Friday: 19:00-20:00 (Intermediate) & 20:00-21:00 (Competitive) at Poplar Baths Leisure Centre (subject to change with training times alternating each week)
Sunday: 9am-10am Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park (Land Training)
Competitions:
2x British University Championships (BUCS):
LUSL Swimming Championships in London around end of March
Friendly Short Course Galas with London based Universities
Merger Cup end of March
Socials
The club holds a range of social events throughout the academic year; this includes going to the monthly Hail Mary events (where we like to go a bit wild!), to more relaxed socials such as movie night, ice skating and curry nights! There is something for everyone. We try to keep up with a minimum one social a week, although this can drop within busy periods during the semester e.g. exam season but we're always down for a trip to spoons after a Friday training.
But that’s not all—this year, we're stepping up our community involvement! We’ll be organizing charity events like swimathons and pub quizzes. We know how lucky we are to have the opportunity to swim, and we’re eager to support those in the UK who don't have the same access.
Barabara and Julian, our lovely social sec and the rest of committee are looking forward to the year ahead for some of the best nights (and swims) of your life!
Please note that Social Members are not permitted to participate in swim training sessions; this membership is for social events and run club only.
How to get Involved
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Follow Instagram page and Whatsapp for any and all swim updates and to get in contact with the club committee members if you have any questions!
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Attend the Freshers fair to see us in person and sign up for a taster/trial session, or visit our socials and find the link to the sign up form (it is not compulsory to sign up you can just come along and say hi)
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Attend the taster/trial session (fill in the sign up form first!!!) - this first session is free!
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Purchase your subs - at the Hub (Mile End), BLSA reception (Whitechapel) or online. NOTE: All memberships will cost an addtional £5 at checkout for club sport memerbship fees. We do not offer refunds, do not buy a membership unless you have undergone a taster/trial!!
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Enjoy! Take part in the sessions, socials and compete in galas all year round!
Contact Details
President - Josephine Clarke (email: ah22269@qmul.ac.uk)
Treasurer - Emelie Engels
Men's Captain- Jan Poulton
Womens Captain: Milena Michielin
Social Secretary: Barbarba Timkova
Social Secretary: Julian Lui
Welfare Officer: Emil Schwaerzler