Saffron Seals, a long-standing swimming club in Saffron Walden, has been bringing friendly and competitive swimming to the local community and nearby villages for over 100 years. Jan Bright and the team at Saffron Seals, affiliated with Swim England, make sure the club stays at the top with SwimMark accreditation for Teaching and Skills Development.
The club participates in numerous swimming competitions, like the Essex Mini League and the Essex Swimming League, where swimmers can aim for promotion and avoid demotion based on their performance. Saffron Seals also motivates individual swimmers to take part in Open Meets, helping them improve their times and achieve county, regional, and national qualifying standards.
But it's not all about competition; Saffron Seals also focuses on the enjoyment of swimming. They organise friendly matches against other clubs, creating chances for swimmers to have fun and make friends. Jan and the team also host Club Championships and Team Challenge events to get everyone involved.
Training takes place at the Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre on Peaslands Road, with sessions throughout the week, except Wednesdays. Prospective members can apply and undergo an assessment, with a waiting list in place. Details for joining can be found on their website.
A dedicated group of volunteer coaches, officials, and committee members, mostly parents or passionate swimming enthusiasts, run the club. As a not-for-profit, Saffron Seals relies heavily on the support from parents and volunteers to keep providing great swimming and social opportunities.
Volunteers are essential and can help poolside during training or assist with club operations. Full support and training are provided, making it an excellent way to learn new skills and contribute to a wonderful club.
To know more about volunteering or the club itself, you can contact any committee member or reach out to Jan Bright (president@saffronseals.org.uk) or John Stirling (chairman@saffronseals.uk).
Jan and the Saffron Seals team look forward to welcoming new members and volunteers to ensure the swimming community in Saffron Walden continues to thrive.