How Scarborough Swimming Club Became a Rising Force at the Yorkshire Championships 2025

When you think of swimming competitions, you might picture Olympic champions or high-stakes finals on TV. But for many young athletes, the journey starts in their local pool—like the one at Scarborough Swimming Club. And this year, something special happened. Over three weekends of intense racing at the Yorkshire Championships, the Scarborough squad didn’t just show up—they made serious waves.

Whether you’re a parent cheering from the stands, a young swimmer chasing your first medal, or just someone proud of local talent, this story will hit home. Because it’s not just about medals—it’s about grit, growth, and the magic that happens when a team comes together.

Image source: https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/scarborough-swimming-club-stars-sparkle-at-yorkshire-championship-events-5028590

Personal bests and big smiles across Yorkshire

Let’s start with the numbers: 30 swimmers, over three weekends, and 43 personal bests. Not bad, right?

The Championships took place across Leeds and Sheffield’s long-course pools, where swimmers from all over Yorkshire came to compete. It’s kind of like a regional version of the Olympics—same adrenaline, same nerves, just more Yorkshire accents.

For many of the Scarborough team, this was their first-ever Yorkshire Championships. That means new sights, bigger crowds, and way tougher races. But instead of freezing up, these swimmers went in headfirst (literally) and proved they belonged.

One parent described it like this: “They looked nervous before their first race, but the moment they hit the water, they just went for it. That’s what made us proud—seeing them push past the fear.”

And honestly? That kind of courage is what sport’s all about.

Standout swimmers and names to remember

The list of impressive performances is long, but a few swimmers truly stole the spotlight. Most notably, Wiktor Gora—whose name you'll want to remember—put in a jaw-dropping run of results.

He reached the finals in 13 events. Yes, 13. He wasn’t just showing up—he was storming through heats and giving the region’s best a proper challenge.

Here’s what he walked away with:

• 🥈 Silver medals in 100m and 200m Butterfly
• 🥉 Bronze medals in 200m and 400m Individual Medley
• 🥉 Another bronze in the 50m Butterfly

Now, it’s one thing to specialise in a stroke, but Wiktor went full swimming ninja mode—competing across backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly at different distances. That kind of versatility is seriously rare.

He’s now ranked 7th in the country for 200m Butterfly, and 11th for both the 200m and 400m Individual Medley. And get this—he’s aiming to qualify for the Swim England Nationals in Sheffield this July. To get there, he needs to stay in the top 19 nationally in each event by May 11, 2025.

No pressure, Wiktor. But we’re rooting for you.

The coaching magic behind the medals

Behind every fast swimmer is a coach with a stopwatch, a whistle, and a ton of patience. For Scarborough SC, that’s Nathan Renshaw, their Senior Coach—and someone who knows what it’s like to be on the starting block.

Nathan’s not just a coach. He’s a former Yorkshire and Regional Champion himself and has competed at national level. So when he says someone’s good—you believe him.

Talking about Wiktor’s growth, Nathan said:

“He’s a massive credit to his family, friends, and teammates for his hard work and determination… Wiktor is a prime example of what can be achieved when you combine talent, hard work, and the right mindset.”

But Nathan’s coaching goes beyond stopwatch times. He’s also guiding his daughter, Thea Renshaw, who had a standout moment of her own.

Thea Renshaw’s butterfly breakthrough

Let’s talk about a 20-second personal best. No, that’s not a typo. That’s what Thea Renshaw shaved off her time in the 200m Butterfly, earning her a well-deserved spot in the final and a 10th place finish overall.

To put that into perspective: imagine running a 10k and suddenly cutting 4 minutes off your best time. That’s the kind of leap we’re talking about.

Thea’s success is a family affair. She’s coached by dad Nathan and her grandfather, David Renshaw, who both bring decades of experience and a bucketload of belief. And while family coaching can get a bit shouty sometimes (we’ve all been there), it’s clearly working.

David, known around the club as the wise owl of swimming, helps Thea stay grounded, focused, and above all—enjoying the sport.

A full team effort, not just individual stars

Swimming might look like a solo sport, but Scarborough’s success was 100% a team effort. From the youngest competitors to the most seasoned racers, the club came together to support each other—cheering from poolside, sharing snacks, and lifting spirits when things didn’t go to plan.

Here are just a few of the names who represented Scarborough with pride:

• Joseph Boddy, Sami Baloch, Elena Williams, Jenson Metcalfe, Savannah Foster, Evie Hamlin, Philippa Thompson, Skye Leighton-Armitage, and Marigold Delaney
• Plus Oliver and Olivia Hamlin, Charlie Goodwin, Eden De-Silva, Ida-May and Sam Delaney, Hannah Brown, and Wiktor Gora, of course

And that’s not even the full list. These swimmers were more than competitors—they were ambassadors for their town and their club. That’s something you can’t teach in training—it’s earned through effort and heart.

What’s next for Scarborough SC?

With momentum like this, the future’s looking bright. The next big date is 11 May 2025—the deadline for national qualification. If Wiktor and some of his teammates make the cut, they’ll be heading to Swim England Nationals in Sheffield this summer.

Even if they don’t, this season has already proven that Scarborough Swimming Club is on the rise. With a strong team spirit, dedicated coaching, and a fresh batch of talented swimmers, they’ve made it clear: Yorkshire better watch out.

Because Scarborough’s in the fast lane now. 🏊‍♀️🏅