Crowborough swimmers have been doing their bit for international relations competing in a traditional annual gala against young people from Germany and France.
For more than 30 years Beacon Swimming Club and a team of swimmers from Greven in Germany have been holding the annual gala – taking it in turns to travel to each other’s respective towns.
And this year they were joined by a team from Crowborough’s French twin town, Montargis, who had previously been part of the competition but had not competed for a number of years.
The swimming competition was staged at the end of August in Greven’s lovely but slightly chilly outdoor pool early on the Saturday morning. Each club entered their own team and then joined together to from an international team to create extra competition and also to encourage the swimmers to bond together.
Beacon came out victorious but the club said the event is about so much more than the swimming competition.
Laura Harrison from the club said: “The swimming is always enjoyed and fiercely fought but it is the time spent with the German families that most benefits these young swimmers. Most would admit they are placed well out of their comfort zone by staying with host families for the weekend but by the end of the weekend, firm friendships are made despite the language barriers.”
And there was more to enjoy than just the swimming. The weekend also included trips to Münster, go-karting, fairgrounds, and most importantly an awards ceremony followed by an epic party.
Laura added: “There are so few opportunities for our young people to put down their phones and just enjoy being young and the German team encouraged them to do just that. It was an honour to be able to share it with them and they can be very proud of how they represented their club, community and families.”
And it appears German hosts fully enjoyed the occasion too. On the SV Greven swimming website it said new friendships had been made at the event and the party afterwards. “The party was in full swing late Saturday evening, no one would have guessed that the young revellers had only met the day before.
“The SV Greven swimmers danced and celebrated together with their guests from the partner clubs as if they had known each other forever. Dancing and celebrating continued until late into the evening. After the weekend, guests and hosts agreed – the 2025 exchange was a complete success.”
Next year, Beacon will host and stage the competition.