Swim England North East ignites a region-wide movement to celebrate, explore, and embrace all aquatic sports throughout June 2025.
The Swim England North East Region is making a splash this summer with the launch of its exciting new initiative, the June Aquatic Challenge. Designed to bring together the region’s vibrant aquatic community, the campaign invites clubs to break away from tradition and dive into the full spectrum of aquatic disciplines.
As part of our Regional Strategy, one of our themes is using ‘Swimming as a Gateway’, where we are looking at growing the aquatic disciplines. Running throughout June 2025, this interactive challenge encourages clubs, coaches, swimming teachers, pool operators, swim schools and aquatic participants to integrate a variety of aquatic sports, including swimming, diving, open water, water polo, artistic swimming, and speed lifesaving into their regular training sessions, activities or lessons. With a focus on creativity, fun, and skill-building, the initiative not only promotes cross-discipline engagement but also shines a light on the versatility and talent across the region.
Examples of integration across aquatic disciplines include substituting a ball for a traditional swimming float during kick sets or drill sessions to enhance coordination and adaptability, particularly beneficial for Water Polo athletes. In Artistic Swimming and Water Polo, practicing eggbeater kick drills helps athletes develop vertical height and stability above the water’s surface, which is crucial for performing lifts or executing shots. Additionally, incorporating artistic sculling sets into swim training can improve an athlete’s feel for the water, spatial awareness, and fine motor control, contributing to overall efficiency and fluidity in swimming strokes. Take a look at the videos below on how each of the aquatic disciplines integrate with each other:
“This challenge is about showing how aquatic sports can work together to build stronger, more well-rounded athletes and individuals. It’s also about inspiring our community to get creative, try something new, make aquatics sessions fun and engaging and celebrate everything that makes aquatics in the North East so dynamic,” said Jay Manners, Swim England North East.
The idea for the challenge was shaped in part by input from Swim England’s Online Community, where insights and shared experiences helped identify the desire for more creative, inclusive, and interdisciplinary aquatic activity. This collaborative approach highlights the power of community-driven initiatives in shaping the future of aquatic sport.
In the Region, we have multiple dual-aquatic athletes, who have also helped inspire us to implement this challenge. Please take a look below at our dual-aquatic athletes and what inspired them to utilise multiple sports:
Key Objectives of the June Aquatic Challenge:
- Raise awareness of all aquatic disciplines across the region.
- Encourage collaboration and creativity among aquatic clubs, coaches, swim schools, swimming teachers, aquatic volunteers, pool operators and aquatic participants.
- Give athletes a fresh and engaging training experience.
- Increase visibility of Swim England North East’s diverse offerings.
- Reward innovation and participation with exciting prizes.
To further boost engagement, throughout June, Swim England North East will feature weekly challenges and spotlights across its social media platforms. Participating clubs are encouraged to share photos and videos using the hashtags #JuneAquaticChallenge, showcasing how they’ve brought new aquatic disciplines into their sessions.
Top-performing clubs and standout individuals will be recognised in a final winners’ announcement at the end of the month. Winners will receive a selection of prizes, as well as public recognition through a regional highlights video and social media features.
Prizes Up for Grabs
To qualify for entry, individuals, clubs, pool operators, swim schools should create a post on social media sharing content relevant to the challenge and use the hash tag #JuneAquaticChallange before the closing date – the date and time of the closing date will be made clear by Swim England North East. Entries received after the stated closing date or entries which are incomplete will not be accepted. Our prize draws and competitions are free to enter, and no purchase is necessary
Winners will be chosen each Friday in June 2025 by a random draw from all qualifying entrants performed by a computer process within 7 days of the promotion closing.
Prizes will be allocated in the following order:
- NESS voucher
- IoS voucher
- SENER Nutrition workshop voucher
- SENER Lifestyle performance workshop voucher
- SENER Psychology workshop voucher
The winners will be notified by social media (using details provided at entry) within 7 days of being chosen. If a winner does not respond to Swim England North East within 7 days of being notified, then the winner’s prize will be forfeited and Swim England North East will be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above. Each winner shall consent to participating in a follow up news story which may be published on the Swim England North East website regarding their swimming experiences.
Ready to take the plunge?
Please see below our Terms and Conditions for the June Aquatic Challenge:
Take the challenge and explore new aquatic sports this June!
For more information and updates, follow Swim England North East on social media and stay connected through your club communications.
