About the club

The Grove Amateur Swimming Club was established in 1901 at Dalry Baths in Caledonian Crescent, off Dalry Road near the Haymarket. The Club has kept its base at Dalry for most of its long life, apart from during 1991 & 1992 when the baths were closed for extensive modernisation. They were re-opened in February 1993 as Dalry Swim Centre, and are now among the most modern swimming facilities in the City of Edinburgh.

The Grove's most famous swimmer was probably Charlie Baillie, who was Scottish 50 yard and 100 yard champion every year from 1920 to 1926, as well as later holding several English championships. The highlight of his career was, however, his appearance in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.

The Club currently caters for children of all ages, though mainly in the 7 to 14 age group. Our aim is to improve swimmers' stamina and stroke development beyond the point which they would normally attain in swimming lessons, and to maintain the children's interest in, and enjoyment of, swimming. We offer this in a pleasant, safe and friendly environment, without the pressure to swim for hours on end which is found in some clubs.

Swimmers compete annually in the Club Championships (normally held in November) for medals and for one of ten trophies, depending on age. They have opportunities to compete, if they wish, in galas or meets both in the Lothians and elsewhere in Scotland. The Grove is one of several Edinburgh Clubs which will provide feeder squads to the City of Edinburgh Swimming Club.

At present the Grove meets at Dalry on Monday and Thursday evenings from 8 pm until around 9.30 pm. A nightly, rather than monthly, fee is charged, although the first night is free. There is no pressure on swimmers to attend on both nights of the week, although clearly their swimming will improve the more times they are able to attend. The Club runs throughout the year, apart from brief shutdowns around Christmas and during July.

There is also an annual membership fee, to cover insurance and payments to the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association.

The Grove run some social events, of which the principal one is a disco and buffet held in February to present the trophies and medals won in the previous year's Club Championships. Occasionally a race night or similar event is run for parents in the autumn.

The Club is run on an entirely voluntary basis by a small committee comprising mainly parents, plus of course a number of swimming coaches, most of whom have attained one of the recognised swimming teacher qualifications.

Maintained by Neil Campbell.