Swimming club want more members to join their ranks

An artistic swimming club is trying to encourage new members to join in with their sport.

Cheltenham Artistic Swimming Club (CASC) recently formed from Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club after 40 years of success.

The club welcomes anyone over the age of seven, with some members in their 50s.

CASC members compete in national competitions, but it is open to absolute beginners as well.

Alana has been doing artistic swimming - which is the new name for what was formerly known as synchronised swimming" - for two years.

The 11-year-old has cochlear implants, with her coaches using a microphone to speak to her while she is underwater.

"It's been really fun all the time, even if it has been difficult," Alana said.

"Everyone is very inclusive, they always do things for me, whatever I need."

Vice chairman of CASC and coach Sam Fancourt started artistic swimming with Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club when she was nine.

"It was getting quite difficult to source pool time, we felt it was the right time to try and do it ourselves and have a bit more independence," Ms Fancourt said.

CASC chair and coach Sarah Pullan said the club wants to share its passion for artistic swimming "with as many people as possible".

"At the Swim England National Combo Cup 2023, all CASC teams placed in "either medalling or fourth place", she said.

"We're just passionate about everyone doing it," Ms Pullan said.

"Although we do have those really strong swimmers and we've got some really good teams, we're open to everybody so we've got adults who have never done it before that come along and just do it for fun as well."

Marianne, 16, joined CASC when she was nine after moving to Cheltenham from Bristol, where she was part of another artistic swimming club.

"My friends always go, 'Oh wow, what is it? Is it a bit like dancing underwater'," she said.

"Yeah, it's a bit like that. It's just nice to have something that's a little bit niche, a little bit different - it's really good fun."

Marianne is currently studying for her GCSEs and hopes to carry on with artistic swimming into her adult life.

"I just think it's brilliant because it helps because having that fitness on the side and having that fun and that carefree atmosphere where I can be social with my friends," Miss Baker said.

"It's really nice because I can just take a break from studying and I can really let loose."

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