Swim Clubs in Edinburgh

[MatildasAunt]

We are returning to the UK from the US at the end of the year, moving to Edinburgh. Have two teenage sons who swim quite seriously, does anyone have recommendations or insights into the swim teams in Edinburgh - especially Warrender and Heart of Midlothian. Thanks

Friends daughter used to swim for Warrender and thoroughly enjoyed it but it would be about 25 years ago now!

Warrender is much bigger than Hearts so there are more squads at each level and a bigger support infrastructure around it in terms of coaching, pool and gym time etc. Both clubs have some very talented and driven individuals which feed through to the very top level, ( Olympics , Commonwealth Games, UK national squads). At the top squads in both the coaches are full time paid professionals, with lower squads supported by part time coaches, students and ex swimmers but all with coaching qualifications.
Because of it size Warrender has more replay opportunities. You should look at the website for Scottish Swimming to get an idea of how the sport is run here and www.swimscotland.co.uk for competitions and times information , remembering here we swim in metres not yards. Parents are expected to get involved in volunteering duties to help run swim meets, timekeeping, squad admin, team manager for trips etc.
My connection is with Warrender so I only have detailed knowledge of it but there is a great active swim community in Scotland and some world class athletes here.

I would look to get trials with both Warrender and Heart of Midlothian - both excellent clubs - and then go with the one you all feel most comfortable with. Speak to other parenst if you get a chance, chat with the coaches and check out which pools you'll be training at as well.

Many thanks for your replies and sorry so slow to get back. Good point about the relays, we suffer with that a bit at the moment and why the US swims short course in yards is a mystery to me.