I do not believe that the city appreciates what a significant part the Brighton Swimming Club has played in its development over the past 150 years. Brighton was at the forefront of sea bathing in the 1800’s and now in the new millenium open water swimming is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities. This project offers the local citizens an opportunity to understand what a significant step sea swimming was and what an important part Brighton Swimming Club has played in the town’s (now a city) sporting success.
Michael Read
Lifelong member of Brighton Swimming Club
King of the Channel (33 crossings)
Brighton, and Hove actually, has always been defined by the sea. It’s a mysterious and powerful element, a vital force, that contributes in so many ways to Brighton being on the edge.
Brighton Swimming Club has been a wonderfully innovative and key organisation for the generations of our sea swimmers who have sought to understand and benefit from the sea. This super project, revealing the past for the present, will at last allow everyone – swimmers and non-swimmers, local people and visitors – to begin appreciate the importance of sea swimming and Brighton Swimming Club.
Fred Gray
Professor, University of Sussex
It is imperative that every effort be made to collate and preserve the records of local history; they are a precious touchstone through which we are able to re-enforce an all-important sense of shared identity, and they serve to encourage awareness of the intimate connections that tie us to a place. How wonderful that the Brighton Swimming Club has preserved such a fine archive of photographs, manuscript records, and printed matter – evocative material that allows us to time travel and be reminded of our predecessors and the links that connect us.
Philippe Garner (old Brightonian and photo-historian)
International Head of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design, Christies
Brighton and sea swimming have been synonymous throughout the years. The Brighton Swimming Club have been at the vanguard of this movement for well over a century and this archives is a fitting tribute to both Brighton, the sport of sea swimming and the members that have made this club what it is today.
Simon Murie
Swimtrek