Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club
Nurturing homegrown talent - from early development to performance swimming
2025 SOUTH EAST CHAMPIONSHIPS
AGE GROUP 5th RANKED CLUB
2025 HAMPSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS
OVERALL 3rd RANKED CLUB
Our Club at a Glance
• Over 50 years at the heart of Basingstoke
• 400+ Members across Swimming & Water Polo
• 16 Squads from Skills Academy to Performance
• Medalists at County, Regional, National & World
Basingstoke Bluefins is a thriving community club at the heart of
North Hampshire — recognised as one of South East Region's top performing clubs. We provide clear squad pathways for all ages, from early Skills Academy through to competitive swimming, water polo, masters, and fitness.
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With a reputation for strong coaching, structured training, and a supportive team culture, Bluefins offers every member the chance to develop, compete, and enjoy the sport.
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👉 Join a club that balances performance with community.
2025 NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE - 3 TEAMS COMPETING IN 3 LEAGUES
2024 - 3 TEAMS A TEAM - 15th PREMIER. DIV., B TEAM - 9th DIV. 1 WEST, C TEAM - 9th DIV. 2 WEST
2023 - 2 TEAMS A TEAM - 1st DIV. 1 WEST, B TEAM - 1st DIV. 2 WEST
ARENA LEAGUE DOUBLE CHAMPIONS 🎉
Parent Guides — Support for Every Step of the Journey
Starting out with a swimming club can be exciting — and a little overwhelming. New terminology, squad names, QTs, goals, galas, rankings, and training routines can feel like a maze at first.
That’s why we created our Parent Guides — to make the process clear, open, and accessible for every family. They’re written by our coaching team to explain how the sport works, how Bluefins supports progression, and how parents can play a positive part in their swimmer’s journey.
Our Parent Guides give you the knowledge to understand how competitive swimming works, what to expect, and how to help your swimmer thrive — giving every family the confidence to enjoy the journey from day one.
EASY GOAL SETTING
Why Do We Set Goals?
COUNTY QT AUTO!
How does County Qualificationactually work?​
RANKINGS CLARIFIED
How Swim England Rankings Actually Work.
LEVEL 3 or 4...
What’s a Licensed Meet?
DISTANCE FROM 10yrs
Why Young Swimmers Should Swim All Events
Bluefins Water Polo
Fast, fierce, and full of fun — Water Polo at Bluefins blends swimming fitness, teamwork, and strategy in one dynamic sport.
It’s a brilliant challenge for swimmers who love competition and want to build all-round strength, confidence, and control in the pool.
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From our Academy Squad (ages 9–13) through to Junior, Men’s, and Women’s training, players learn how to move, pass, and communicate as part of a true team.
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As part of the Hampshire Water Polo Network, Bluefins members enjoy joint fixtures, regional tournaments, and exciting development opportunities across the South East.
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Swimming Pathways & Progression
At Bluefins, swimming is not one-size-fits-all — it’s a journey. Our pathways are designed to complement each other, giving every member the right blend of skills, challenge, and enjoyment at the right time.
A hallmark of Bluefins is flexibility. Swimmers are never locked in. Our coaches track progress daily and open booster opportunities when swimmers are ready. Pathways adapt to age, ability, and ambition — so every swimmer feels stretched, supported, and motivated to grow.
Each season, our pathway develops swimmers of all ambitions — from County racing through to Regional and National competition, while also offering routes for those who swim for health, enjoyment, and fitness. Whatever the goal, Bluefins provides the structure, coaching, and team spirit to thrive.​
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Squad Highlights by Pathway
Skills Development – Skills Academy entry squads 1-4, umbrella for swimmers moving from lessons to club training.
Competitive – Competitive Development & Age Group Competitive.
County – County Development.
Performance – Age Group Performance, Youth Performance, Regional Performance & National Performance.
Skills Development & Fitness – Club 1 (Junior) & Club 2 (Senior).
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The Five Pathways
Skills Academy
Ages 7–11
The starting point for every Bluefins journey. Swimmers move beyond lessons into structured training, refining technique across all four strokes and building the confidence to train with purpose. Sessions introduce teamwork, discipline, and good habits, while fun galas provide a first taste of racing. Coaching creates strong foundations for future progression.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Club Fitness
Ages 11+
Swimming for life. Not every swimmer wants the intensity of Performance or the pressure of competition, but many still value the benefits of structured training. Club Fitness provides a flexible, sociable squad focused on health, wellbeing, and enjoyment. Swimmers maintain good technique, stay active, and remain connected to the sport in a supportive environment.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
& FITNESS
Competitive Dev.
Age Group Comp.
Ages 8–15
Where racing begins. Swimmers practise pacing, dives, turns, and finishes — the details that bring races together. Licensed meets and galas build confidence, while training develops consistency, stronger race skills, and readiness for County Development. This pathway balances fun with the first real steps into competitive swimming.
COMPETITIVE
PATHWAY
County Development
Ages 9–15
A stage of progression and resilience. Swimmers broaden racing across strokes and distances, targeting Hampshire County qualifying times. Training becomes more focused, linking effort directly to results, while open meets provide valuable competition. This stage builds consistency, stamina, and discipline, preparing swimmers with the skills and mindset for Performance.
COUNTY
PATHWAY
Performance Squads
Ages 10+
For swimmers with the commitment and ambition to push further. Training is demanding and rewarding, combining advanced technical work with preparation for high-level competition. The goal is success at County, Regional, and National level. Swimmers sharpen strategies, take ownership of their training, and develop the mindset needed to excel under pressure.
PERFORMANCE
PATHWAY
While the five core pathways form the backbone of the club, Junior Masters and Masters squads sit alongside them — bridging the gap between the Fitness and Performance pathways. These squads offer opportunities for older or returning swimmers to stay active, train with purpose, and compete at County, National, and even World Masters level.
Why Our Pathway Works
Clarity – Parents and swimmers know exactly what each stage offers.
Flexibility – Movement between pathways means no swimmer is left behind.
Balance – From medal chasers to fitness swimmers, there’s a place for everyone.
Progression – Skills learned at each stage prepare swimmers for the next step.
👉 Wherever you start, there’s a place for you at Bluefins. From first strokes to County competition, from performance racing to lifelong fitness — our pathway makes sure every swimmer can find the right squad, the right challenge, and the right support.
📩 Ready to take the next step? Contact us to arrange a trial swim and discover your Bluefins pathway.
2025 Performance Stats
Ready to start your Bluefins journey?
👉 Weekly trials available — just contact our Amazing Ali​ to book your swimmer's place.
Racing, Fitness or Water Polo - Find out where you belong in the water.
