Founded in 1890, our club was originally known as the Seacombe and Egremont Swimming Association
The club swam in the River Mersey, tide permitting, and in 1901 aimed to purchase a suitable club HQ due to objections of swimmers being on the beach without a beach hut!
It was believed that having a building to provide swimming tuition would prevent many of the frequent drownings in the river. At the 1905 AGM, Mr Thomas Harrop, the Secretary of Seacombe and Egremont Swimming Association, testified that such a place was absolutely needed. Later, the Local Government Board gave the Council permission to borrow a sufficient sum of money to purchase a site in the area known as the Guinea Gap.
Thanks to the Seacombe and Egremont Swimming Association, Guinea Gap Baths were officially opened in April 1908. The club became known as Wallasey Swimming Club in 1913 and remains the oldest pool on the Wirral.
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The most popular theory tells the story of a bag of golden guineas from the reign of William III, possibly pirates’ treasure, that was found by workmen in 1849 when constructing the promenade wall. Another explanation comes from the word ‘gyn’ meaning ‘gap in the cliffs’; a small river once ran into the Mersey from this point.
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Yes it was! Although there were other saltwater pools, ours became famous for the huge number of swimming records broken here. From 1908-1957, 205 world and national records were achieved at Guinea Gap!
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Guinea Gap has survived two world wars and served as a rehabilitation hospital for wounded soldiers during World War I. This is something we’re most proud of. It has also been a temporary home for some dolphins!
Our policies
Coaches
Sue Williams
Phil O’Connor
Mike Best
Club Welfare Officer
Faye Jones
Available at the club to speak to