For the second consecutive year, AP Race and Aquatics GB are joining forces at the Aquatics GB Championships, headed to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from April 14th to April 19th.
Alongside the elite racing whose results will determine many of the Commonwealth Games and European Championships national roster slots, a learn-to-swim offering will take place with the aim of improving access to swimming environments and events for local children and young people from traditionally under-represented in the world of aquatics.
This exciting collaboration is extended this year to include the running of three masterclasses, expertly designed and tailored for competitive clubs across the country to engage with Great Britain’s pivotal annual selection meet of the year – inspiring swimmers with an opportunity to see first-hand what the best swimmers in the country do at a major championship.
These masterclass sessions on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the championships include tickets to attend the competition plus an athlete meet and greet, while each day respectively zones in on dedicated focus to freestyle, individual medley and para-athlete freestyle – so swimmers can experience being coached in the London Aquatics Centre by some of Britain’s finest, whilst also having the chance to watch the fastest swimmers in the country racing for spots on the Commonwealth Games and European Championships teams.
Co-Founder and CEO of AP Race, Ed Baxter said of the opportunity, “It is a pleasure to partner with Aquatics GB at their Championships for the second-year running. Last year was a brilliant first step in joining forces for the betterment of the sport however, we both felt although this was a great first step, there was so much more potential to this partnership so it is brilliant to be working together again with a bigger ambition but of course the same mission, to provide opportunities for the swimming community to become… Better Than Yesterday”
Speaking about the importance of this year’s social impact project and the valuable support of AP Race, Aquatics GB CEO Drew Barrand said: “We are very proud of the reach and engagement we saw across our community sessions at last year’s Aquatics GB Swimming Championships – and we are excited to be teaming up once again with AP Race to help our ambition for even greater engagement this year, with many of these events reaching those from disadvantaged communities who may be experiencing aquatics for one of the first times.
“While our elite athletes will be competing for European Championship selection and looking to come out on top of some eye-catching races, these Championships are also a platform for us to help promote a love of aquatics and the importance of the life-saving skill that swimming is. This collaborative programme of community activity will play an important part in that for children and young adults living around the London Aquatics Centre area.
“Whether it is with a view to becoming the next Matt Richards or Faye Rogers, or just to be able to enjoy being safe in the swimming pool on holiday or by seas and rivers, we hope these activities can be a part of the tangible, long-lasting impact of our Aquatics GB Swimming Championships at this iconic venue.”
