The Dragons Disabled Swimming Club was set up in 1993. Prior to this, the only avenue open for disabled people in Wales to become involved in competitive swimming was through ASTRA events. The focus of ASTRA Swimming was to encourage disabled people to enter the sport as a form of therapy.

ASTRA Swimming had a lot of merit in allowing disabled people the chance to become involved in swimming at a therapeutic level and the social element of the clubs was also a key in its popularity. ASTRA did also have a competitive side with inter-club competitions and an annual National Championship. However, on the whole, this was as far as most swimmers could go.

The Dragons D.S.C. was set up to allow those swimmers who wanted to further their swimming careers and enter a more competitive level within the sport. This includes the opportunity to enter National Long and Short-Course Championships run by Disability Sport Events, allowing our swimmers the opportunity to compete in the world-renowned swimming pool, Ponds Forge, in Sheffield. The Dragons quickly established a reputation of being a successful club which regularly sent swimmers to compete in such competitions and one that produced many swimmers who have gone on to represent Wales and Great Britain.

Every Welsh swimmer who has competed in the last two Paralympic Games for Great Britain in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 began their competitive disabled swimming career at the Dragons. These include; David Roberts MBE, Gareth Duke, Liz Johnson, Nyree Lewis and Rhiannon Henry. 7 times Paralympic Gold Medallist David Roberts is currently one of our assistant coaches with Peter Key filling the role as Head Coach.

The Dragons D.S.C. has also played a major role in helping to organise the Welsh National Short-course Championships which have been held in Ynysawdre, Pencoed and Penlan Swimming Pools and now takes place at Newport International Swimming Pool. This gala is open to all disabilities and has welcomed swimmers from as far as field as the South West of England, Leicester, Derby and Northern Ireland.

As has already been mentioned on this site, the aim of the Dragons Disabled Swimming Club is to allow swimmers the opportunity to develop to a level where it is possible for them to achieve selection for the Welsh and British teams.

Click on this link to see the Roll of Honour for the dragons Disabled Swimming Club: