Swim Wales (WASA Ltd) is the governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water and synchronised swimming within the Principality.

It organises competition throughout Wales, establishes the laws of the sport and organises comprehensive certification and education programmes for teachers, coaches and officials.

Swim Wales supports affiliated swimming, diving, water polo, masters and disabled clubs through a National and Regional structure.

Swim Wales aim to ensure that everybody in Wales has an opportunity to learn to swim.

 History

  Founded in 1897, the Welsh Amateur Swimming Association set its objectives to promote and encourage swimming and water polo. 

Over the years, our objectives have expanded to embrace other disciplines including synchronised swimming, diving and lifesaving. We also hold, manage and control Closed, National and Open Championships, including Masters and organise the sport in the Principality.

In June 2004, the association became a company limited by guarantee and began trading as Swim Wales.  

Details of the earliest days are somewhat vague.  It is clear from what little information is available, that in the early thirties, most of the competitive swimming was undertaken in
South Wales with the main areas being Newport, Cardiff and Swansea.  During this time, Mrs Bernice Hooper (1936-1939) was a Welsh Champion and she is still active within the association.

In the early post-war years, Welsh swimming was at its lowest ebb, as few pools remained open during the war and swimmers either being called up or very few competitions available.  By 1952, pools were beginning to re-open and schools began to take an active parting providing swimmers for the future.

The building of the Wales Empire Pool at Cardiff for the1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games supplied the impetus so urgently needed by the sport in the Principality.  This resulted in many more clubs being formed.  This continued through the 1960s and 1970s, aided by the tremendous surge in the construction of new sports centres and swimming pools, all resulting in additional organisation and responsibilities for the association. 

Moving Forward

In 2001, well after celebrating its centenary, it was decided that swimming in Wales should undergo a complete review of its workings and this was done during 2002 and 2003.

A Strategic Plan was developed with a clear and concise Vision Statement.

From this review came a four-year plan. The 2003 Annual General Meeting of WASA confirmed this plan and following that meeting, WASA took the recommendations on board and the plan has been implemented.

There are now three regions within Swim Wales - South East Wales, West Wales and North Wales. These regions have provided the delegates, committees and panel members for the Association’s comprehensive activities over the years. The regions consist of over 90 member clubs whose combined membership is in excess of 9,800 members. These three regions are based on the three geographic areas of East, West and North Wales, in line with both our Regional Development staff and the Sports Council of Wales regions.

In competitive terms, Swim Wales is heavily involved with the discipline of Swimming and more recently, Diving has had significant success with Robert Morgan. Water Polo, throughout Great Britain has suffered a decline although there are some encouraging signs of a revival through our juniors’ performances.

Swimming within the United Kingdom has received a boost by London winning its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.Founded in 1897, the Welsh Amateur Swimming Association set its objectives to promote and encourage swimming and water polo.