How it started
A bit of splashing, a lot of chlorine, and the spark of an idea.
Somehow, it grew into a global swimming community.
Rediscovering Swimming
I’m Simon, the creator of the Swim Buddy Network.
The group grew out of a simple desire: to connect with other swimmers and share my rediscovered love of being in the water.
I’d not been swimming since my teens (a few years ago now), then around 2017 I decided to dip my toe back in the pool.
It started with a couple of visits a week — flailing and splashing up and down the lanes very slowly (to be fair, not much has changed on that score). Before long, I was hooked and just couldn’t get enough of dunking myself in chlorine.
What started with swimming a few lengths at a time led to me losing weight…and amazingly (to me) I found my technique, pace and endurance all increasing.
As my confidence grew, I started taking part in events, gradually increasing distances until I found myself signing up for the first ever Swimathon Triple 5k challenge.
To say I ached afterwards is an understatement…but WOW!!!!, it felt good to complete it.
The Spark of an Idea
Alongside all of this, I’d been part of small group of swimmers online, taking part in virtual challenges together. Regardless of how far or fast each of us managed to swim, the whole ethos was always about supporting each other and cheering the wins!— big or small…
That shared passion for swimming (and all the ups and downs that come with it) was hugely motivating and hearing how people overcame personal challenges was incredibly inspiring.
The more swimmers I spoke to, the more I realised how many people were looking for a friendly and supportive place to connect, to share experiences, ask for advice, celebrate progress, or just reach out for a bit of encouragement when things felt tough (and every swimmer has a few of those days).
The Network Takes Shape
I wanted to create somewhere that wasn’t about competing with each other, but about swimming together in whatever way that looked for each person.
So, I set up a simple Facebook group… and….The Swim Buddy Network was born.
It didn’t take long before it took on a life of its own.