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Swimming

Pupils at Dulwich College are encouraged to swim and gain water confidence at the earliest possible age.

The boys and girls at DUCKS swim once a week all year round in Years 1 and 2, with the boys and girls in Reception starting their weekly lessons in the Summer term. All lessons are run in small groups by experienced swimming teachers led by Mr Tayo Davy.

For further information on DUCKS swimming at Dulwich College please contact Mr Davy on davyt@dulwich.org.uk

The Junior School swimming programme includes technique and skill development of all four swimming strokes as well as competitive starts, turns and finishes. Boys in Year 5 will take part in a life-saving programme designed to teach all levels of ability how to be safe in and around water, and there is an introduction to mini water polo at the end of Year 6. The more able swimmers are invited to join the swimming squad. Trials are held at the start of every academic year, with any boy making significant improvement during their lessons invited to attend. The swim squad have two sessions each week in Years 3 and 4 and three sessions a week in Years 5 and 6. The Junior School competes in many galas across the year groups ranging from inter school team galas, local triangular competitions, the London Independent Swimming League, London Schools, IAPS national events and the ESSA national events.

Boys in Years 7 to 13 have the opportunity to train either for fitness or for speed and endurance with a group of specialist swimming teachers and coaches. These sessions are open to all boys that are capable of training for continuous lengths and want to develop their technique as well as their all-around racing ability. Our club swimmers can also access these sessions to enhance their external programme, work on specific areas or to catch up on missed training due to other commitments. Our programme sits alongside the competitive club structure and follows a two macrocycle format which tapers for the British championships in March and the National championships in August.

As with the Junior School the senior school boys compete in many competitions both as a whole school as well as in their individual age categories, incorporating friendly galas all the way through to national team and individual events.

Touring is a huge part of sporting life here at Dulwich College and swimming is no exception. We believe it offers boys’ opportunities to focus on specific training elements, compete with teams from other countries, enhance cultural experiences and develop friendships amongst the boys and their coaches. The swimming team have visited European countries such as Barcelona as well as venturing over to China to take part in the Dulwich Olympiad.

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