About Us

Our Aim

Our aim is to provide individuals of all ages living to experience swimming within a local competitive swimming club. Swimmers can enjoy the fun of swimming at all levels from training for fitness to a competitive level competing against other clubs.

Training Philosophy

We are a competitive swimming club and aim to provide swimmers of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to compete in events from local to national level. Although a relatively small club, we pride ourselves on competing successfully at all levels, from local friendly galas to National Championships. Competitive swimming demands much from swimmers and their parents, but the rewards for hard work, dedication and commitment are high too. And not just in individual success, but also in fostering team spirit, gaining self-discipline and confidence, improving fitness and making friends that last a lifetime.

Training Locations

Flitwick Dolphins Swimming Club is based in the Flitwick Leisure Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1TH England.

Flitwick Dolphins train at Flitwick Leisure Centre (0300 3008045), Bedford High School (01234 334226) and Saxon Pool, Biggleswade.
Flitwick Dolphins is affiliated to the ASA East Region.

Coaching Team

Head Coach – Steve Davies (Level 2 Teaching; Level 3 Coaching pending)

Volunteer Coaches:

Nigel Halford (Level 1 Coaching)

Natasha Abbott (Level 1 & 2 Teaching Aquatics; Level 1 Coaching)

Aran Chamberlain-Clark (Level 1 & 2 Teaching Aquatics; Level 1 Coaching)

 

Squad Structure and Costs

Squads at Flitwick Dolphins form a pyramid structure, with progression measured against specific entry criteria and training performance. Flitwick Dolphins is a competitive club and entry criteria for the top squads can be demanding. Click here to download the full squad structure.

All squad moves are at the coaches' discretion, even if entry criteria have been achieved, and may be up, down or sideways.

Senior

This will be our top squad. Minimum ages will be 11 for girls and 12 for boys.  Swimmers must have county qualifying times and/or have represented the club in the National or Home Counties League, and must, in the opinion of the Head Coach, be capable of coping with Senior Squad training.

Cost: £55.00 per month

Development

Swimmers hoping to join this squad must have good technique in all four strokes, be able to do competitive starts and turns in all four strokes and, in the opinion of the Head Coach, be able to cope with Development Squad training.

Cost: £41.00 per month

Junior

Our entry level squad; entry is dependent on a trial with one of our coaching team.

Cost: £32.00 per month

16+

This squad is for swimmers of 16 years or older who need to reduce their training commitment through pressures of education or work but who want to continue to compete at a high level. We are offering six time slots for this squad, of which swimmers can do four.  In order for this to work, swimmers will have to nominate the sessions that they want to do and stick with their choice.

Cost: £40.00 per month

SwimFit

This will replace Diamond Squad, with swimmers able to do two sessions per week of the three that are available.

Cost: £26.00 per month

University Squad

Swimmers attending University and wishing to train whilst at home during the half-term and holidays may do so with the permission of the Head Coach.

Cost: £100 per annum paid in September (option to pay £10 per month)

Mid-Beds Swim Squad

Swimmers who swim with Mid Beds Development B Swim Squad and still training with FDSC.

Cost: £25 per month, up to 3 hours per week with FDSC
£28 per month, more than 3 hours per week with FDSC

More details on squad minimum requirements, training times and locations are available on request from the coaching staff.

Annual Club Membership Fees (2012)

Competitive Swimming Member - Category 2:  £60.00
Senior Non-Competitive Member:  £41.00
Junior Non-Competitive Member - Category 1 (under 9 on 31/12/2012):  £41.00

Pro-Rata Monthly Memberships Fees for New Members (2012)

 

 

Non-Competitive

(Category 1)

Competitive

(Category 2)

January

£41.00

£60.00

February

£41.00

£60.00

March

£41.00

£60.00

April

£36.00

£55.00

May

£32.00

£50.00

June

£29.00

£45.00

July

£26.00

£40.00

August

£23.00

£35.00

September

£20.00

£30.00

October

£17.00

£25.00

November

£14.00

£20.00

December

£0.00

£0.00


ASA registration fees (national, regional and County) are included in Club membership fees, which are payable in addition to squad training fees. Competitive swimmers who are first claim to another club must pay ASA fees to that club and enjoy reduced FDSC membership fees.

Training Times

Monday: 7.15 – 9.00 p.m. @ Bedford
Monday: 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. @ Flitwick
Wednesday: 7.00 – 10.00 p.m. @ Flitwick
Thursday: 6.00 - 19.30 p.m. @ Biggleswade
Friday: 6.00 – 8.00 a.m. @ Flitwick
Friday: 7.00 – 8.45 p.m. @ Bedford (Land Training 5.55 – 6.55 p.m.)
Sunday: 7.00 – 9.00 a.m. @ Flitwick
Sunday: 7.00 – 8.30 p.m. @ Flitwick

10-15 minutes land warm-up is required before entering the pool