BCF are delighted to support The Electric Eels, a family orientated club specifically for children (over 8) & adults with Down Syndrome. Their Synchro club is the only club of its type in the country and were proud to have represented Great Britain at The European Down’s syndrome championships.

The GB Down’s syndrome team who had their first international debut in Florence at the world championships last summer are back on the international stage competing against the rest of Europe at the European Open Championships held in Paris. This time with a bigger team, made up of a duet and three solos who have been training hard every Saturday at Windsor leisure centre. Their routines have compulsory elements making them very technically difficult but music including Greece lightning and Star Wars make their routines fun and artistic. The team hoped to get this across to the judges at the competition, but the main goal was for them to have fun and enjoy every part of the experience.

The day of the competition arrived and with land drills, hair and makeup complete, the team were ready for action. They impressed the judges with their high paced, lively routines to score low to high fives putting them in medal contention. The team were over the moon to come home with a gold in the duet swam by Vivian Novis & Molly Khan, and a silver from Molly Khan & and bronze from Henry Paxton in the solos.

Most importantly they had a brilliant time and they all gained so much from the experience. Their routines were coached and choreographed by junior coaches who are all ex Synchronised swimmers, Jenny Bates, Natalya Furneaux, Izzy Rastal, Amy Rothwell, Sophie Wulfinghoff overseen by Di Hughes & managed by Pauline Walker.

“We were incredibly proud to see our swimmers do so well and we too gained so much from the experience.”  Swimming Electric Eels