History
Ruislip-Northwood Swimming Club originated in the late 1950's and over the years rapidly grew into a very large club, incorporating all sections of water sports. Competitive swimming, learn-to-swim, masters, diving, sub aqua, life saving, synchro, snorkel and social swimming were all part of the same club. In 1987 the competitive swimming section, along with the learn-to-swim, revised their constitution and finances and independently registered with the ASA and together were renamed Ruislip-Northwood Swim Squad.
Hillingdon Borough Swimming Club (HBSC) was formed in the early 1990s by the feeder clubs of; Forward Hillingdon, SeaByrds and Ruislip-Northwood Swim Squad, to provide an elite training squad. Members of HBSC retained membership of their feeder club but trained with HBSC. In 2006 HBSC closed and its swimmers became the Hillingdon Borough Elite Swimming Team (HBEST), hosted by Ruislip-Northwood Swim Squad.
In December 2007, Ruislip-Northwood Swim Squad changed its name to Hillingdon Swimming Club in recognition of its borough wide activities and firstly operated as 2 houses; Ruislip-Northwood Swim Squad (RNSS) and the Hillingdon Borough Elite Swimming Team (HBEST).
Friday night at Highgrove Swimming Pool in Ruislip was the main club night for RNSS for many years. The pool opened in the 1970's and underwent a thorough refurbishment in 2012. Highgrove is a 33 metre pool, which is a great bonus as a training pool - the extra length helping our younger swimmers gain confidence and stamina. However, the fact that it is neither a 'Short' nor 'Long' Course pool, means that it is now unsuitable as a venue for hosting Galas. Our 'Junior Section' has also operated out of Highgrove Pool on Sunday afternoons for a number of years and still does. In addition to the 33m pool there is also a 12m x 9m teaching pool, which is 0.9m in depth, making it perfect for those starting their swimming journey.
From 2010 our home pool has been Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex, which has a 50 metre pool that was opened in March 2010. Our performance squads train numerous times a week in the pool at both 25m and 50m lengths, but will usually train in the pool at its 25 metre length. The 50m pool is an excellent facility meaning that Hillingdon Swimming Club can host sought after Long Course Events.
Alongside the 50 metre indoor pool is a 67 metre outdoor lido - restored and then reopened in 2010 to its former 1930's Art Deco glory, complete with a row of outdoor changing cubicles beside it and the original working fountains. The lido is now heated (although still cold!) and is used by us in the summer time as preparation for the open water events.
Along with the Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex and Highgrove Pool, we also use the pools at Merchant Taylors School in Northwood, St Helens Sports Centre in Northwood and Botwell Green in Hayes.
We cannot finish our history without mentioning our club presidents Maurice and Daphne Short. Although sadly no longer with us we celebrate their memory and all they did for the club by hosting the 'Maurice & Daphne Short Memorial Meet' each year.
© 2020 Hillingdon Swimming Club
