Recent events and troubles with the management of Brighton Swimming Club are but the culmination of problems that, according to retired Argus journalist Adam Trimingham, go back to the 1970s and earlier.
Since the regular sea bathers constitute the majority of those who use the existing arch, it would be logical if the new arch were to be signed over directly to the new body.
The underlying problem is that Brighton Swimming Club and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) are primarily interested in competitive pool swimming, an activity that has nothing to do with going in the sea and is pursued by different sorts of people with entirely different motivations and outlooks on life. Putting these people together with those who go in the sea summer and winter, regardless of the weather, is a recipe for conflict.
If such a new club were to be established, any affiliation would be to some other governing body to be agreed. Since, for all practical purposes the ASA has no interest in non-competitive open water swimming and also appears to be unable and unwilling to ensure that its own regulations and standards of conduct are followed by its affiliated clubs, it would not be appropriate to join, which would therefore avoid saving the membership levy. An independent club would no doubt attract many more people, who are presently put off by the idea that a competitive club is not for them.
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