Our History
- 1964 - Turtles Swimming Club formed, originally as an offshoot of Ruislip, Northwood Swim Squad.
- 1965 - Turtles Swimming Club becomes a founding member of NASCH (see general info tab).
- 1966 - First Club Internal Championships.
- 1968 - Turtles Swimming Club separates from RNSS.
- 1968 - Turtles Swimming Club Gala Team formed.
- 1974 - Turtles Gala Team win the Stevenage Dolphins Trophy.
- 1975 - Members from Harrow area launch their own club, Harrow Kingfishers (Local Swimming Opportunities tab).
- 1978 - Turtles Gala Team win the Watford Sea Lions Trophy.
- 1982 - Turtles Gala Team win the Harrow Kingfisher and Watford Sea Lions Trophies.
- 1985 - Turtles Gala Team win the Harrow Kingfisher Trophy for the second year running and retakes the Watford Sea Lions Trophy.
- 1990 - Turtles Gala Team win Ruislip Turtles Invitation Gala and the Harrow Kingfisher Trophy.
- 1991 - Turtles Gala Team retains the Harrow Kingfisher Trophy.
- 1995 - Turtles Gala Team win the Watford Sea Lions Trophy for the 3rd year running, and wins the NASCH Region One Trophy.
- 1995 - Turtles Swimming Club achieves Charitable Status.
- 1996 - Turtles Gala Team win the Watford Sea Lions Trophy.
- 1999 - Turtles Gala Team win the Stevenage Dolphins, Harrow Kingfisher and Watford Sea Lions Trophies.
- 2002 - Turtles Gala Team win Turtles Invitation Gala.
- 2003 - Turtles Gala Team awarded Feltham Lion’s Plate for Outstanding Team performance.
- 2004 - Turtles Senior Gala Team Wins the Lions Feltham Gala and are awarded Barnet Lion’s Plate for Outstanding Team performance.
- 2005 - Turtles Senior Gala Team Wins the Lions Barnet Gala and the whole team is awarded the Plate for Outstanding Team performance.
- 2005 - Turtles Gala Team win Turtles Invitation Gala.
- 2006 - Turtles Gala Team awarded Feltham Lion’s Plate for Outstanding Team performance and Senior Team Wins the Lions Feltham Gala.
- 2007 - Turtles Gala Team win the Harrow Kingfisher Trophy and the NASCH Region One Trophy.
- 2008 - Turtles Website launched.
- 2008 - Turtles Gala Team win the NASCH Region One Trophy.
- 2009 - First Monthly Newsletter Published.
- 2010 - Turtles Gala Team win the Potters Bar Barracuda, Harrow Kingfisher, Watford Sea Lions, Ruislip Turtles Invitation and the NASCH Region One Trophies.
- 2010 - Our former President Sylvia Smith received an OBE for services to Disability Swimming.
- 2010 - Agreement reached with Hillingdon Swimming Club to provide young teachers and pool helpers.
- 2011 - Turtles Gala Team win the Ruislip Invitation and NASCH Region One Trophies.
- 2011 - Member Neil Dew awarded Hillingdon Disability Person of the year.
- 2012 - Highgrove pool closes for a year and Turtles moved to Hillingdon Sports complex.
- 2012 - Turtles Gala Team win the Hatfield Platypus, Ruislip Turtles Invitation, Stevenage Dolphins and the NASCH Region One Trophies.
- 2012 - Turtles meet and swim alongside the South Korean Olympic swim team.
- 2012 - Turtles holds its first inflatable fun session.
- 2013 - A record 183 medals awarded to Turtles gala members in a season.
- 2013 - Member Sophie Grey awarded Hillingdon Disability Person of the year.
- 2013 - Highgrove reopens with state of the art disability access and Turtles move back.
- 2013 - Turtles Gala Team win the Potters Bar Barracuda, Harrow Kingfisher, Harrow Kingfisher and the NASCH Region One Trophies.
- 2013 - Turtles selected as the chosen partner of the year for Sainsbury’s South Ruislip.
- 2014 - Turtles Senior Gala Team Wins the Lions Feltham Gala and whole team is awarded Feltham Lion’s Plate for Outstanding Team performance.
- 2014 - Turtles Gala Team win the Harrow Kingfisher and the NASCH Region One Trophies.
- 2014 - Turtles holds a party to celebrate 50 years, with 2 founder members present.
- 2014 - Turtles Hall of Fame created covering 50 years of awards.
- 2015 - Turtles become an Independent Club, leaving NASCH after nearly 50 years of affiliation.
- 2015 - Turtles Junior Gala Team Wins the Lions Feltham Gala.
- 2015 - Turtles hosts a party in celebration of Don Lamb's special birthday by having an inflatable fun session with very active participation by the octogenarian himself followed by a birthday tea.
- 2015 - A Turtles member receives our 999th medal in a competitive event. (since records started 2009).
- 2016 - Sylvia Smith OBE - Founder Member, Club President & Former NASCH President passes away.
- 2016 - Member Sophie Grey and former Member Aaron Maddox attend Rio Paralympics trials in Glasgow.
- 2017 - Dave Lee becomes our new Club President.
- 2017 - 100th Newsletter published.
- 2017 - Turtles Gala Team win the Potters Bar Barracuda Trophy.
- 2017 - Presentation of the inaugural 1 length Neil Dew cup.
- 2018 - Turtles Gala Team awarded Lion’s Plate for Outstanding Team performance and Junior team wins the Lions Feltham Gala.
- 2018 - Turtles holds it inaugural Novices race for all its young members.
- 2018 - Turtles Gala Team win the Harrow Kingfisher Trophy.
- 2018 - More than 20 members represent the club in the season’s competitions for the first time.
- 2019 - Turtles launch new website.
- 2019 - Turtles appoint Member Sophie Grey as first Gala Team Captain.
Popular Questions:
No, our sessions are structured to give the swimmer a short period of input but then allow them time to either play or relax in the water, building water confidence. So all non swimmers or junior members must be accompanied by a responsible adult in the water.
Our sessions are run by volunteers and aimed at people with a disability and their immediate family or carers. All non swimmers or junior members need to be accompanied in the water at all times by a responsible adult.
Yes, our sessions are typically held 51/52 weeks a year. We hold our annual invitation gala one week in September when we do not hold a session and subject to when Christmas falls we sometimes do not operate over the festive period. If we for any reason we have to close at the last minute or we plan to close for any reason we will publish this in advance on our facebook page and on this Website. If or an unforeseen reason we will attempt to notify members via facebook and this website.
We charge £1 per session (up to £3 for a family) and an annual fee of £10 per child / disabled adult and £20 per parent / carer.
