Swimming has a long history in Sussex. Brighton Swimming Club, the oldest swimming club in the country, was established in 1860. The County’s first president, Mr L.R. Styer from Brighton Swimming Club, was installed in 1895.
Meet our President
Our President for 2018 2019 is Hilary Brown (Beacon Swimming Club).
Hilary began her swimming career at Tonbridge, Kent when she was 9 or 10 yrs old. The pool (33 1/3yds) and outdoors by the river Medway. The season began on 1st May when the water felt like the Antarctic – she knows this because she swam in the Antartic in 2006. The season ended on 30th September when she says the temperature may have reached 20-21C.
Apart from swimming Hilary also enjoyed diving and took part in the Kent Ladies Plain Diving competition.
She was the Girls Captain and then Ladies Captain until marrying and moving to Crowborough.
In those days there wasn’t a swimming club in Crowborough but there was a 25yd indoor pool attached to the local comprehensive school.
Beacon Swimming Club was formed in 1976.
Hilary joined the club the following year and took the ASA Swimming Teacher qualifications before moving onto coaching. She was “the coach” for several years in the late eighties. She became an RLSS Teacher and was involved in the early years of the Lifesaving section of Beacon Swimming Club.
Hilary has been Club Chairman and, since 2001, Club President.
In 1986 the Crowborough town pool opened and she taught swimming there and at other pools in the area until I retiring in 2005. Hilary is still teaching swimming, although on a very part basis, at a private school covering their school swimming lessons and their swim school lessons when needed, she also helps with school galas and holiday courses.
As time went on Hilary taught Aquafit, gained the Disabled Teachers Certificate and Assistant Water Polo Teachers certificate. She is also an active Masters swimmer and remains active on poolside with the club.
Away from the pool Hilary enjoys tennis, badminton and has just retired from the hockey field. She has an allotment and garden. Hilary and her husband John have been together for 50 years, they have 2 children and 2 grand children all of which keeps her busy.
If your club would like to invite her to any of your competitions or events please contact Hilary by email.
The position of Vice President is currently vacant, If you would like to nominate anyone for this role please send your nomination to the County Honorary Secretary.