By Ed Wallace, Sports Sub-Editor
If you’re looking for a club that balances serious sport with even more serious fun, the University of Bristol Swimming & Water Polo Club (UBSWPC) should be at the top of your list. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer, a total beginner, or just want a team that feels like family, this is one of the most welcoming and high-spirited circles on campus.
With a perfect mix of challenge, community and companionship, UBSWPC offers something for everyone. The club fields 2 men’s and 2 women’s water polo teams, alongside a dedicated swimming squad, meaning there’s a place for everyone, from first-time players to BUCS champions.
Many members join with no water polo experience at all. As Former Men’s 1st Team Water Polo Captain and Current Alumni Secretary Ben Barnish put it, ‘Half or more of players had never played before’. If you can swim, you can play, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you pick it up.
If you can swim, you can play, and you'll be surprised how quickly you pick it up.
Wednesdays are when UBSWPC really makes waves. After home games, the squad trades swim caps for pints at the White Bear, their go-to post-match local. Win or lose, the place fills with laughter, retold highlights, and the kind of team spirit that spills out onto the street. Even when there’s no game, you can count on the club to show up, because for UBSWPC, Wednesdays aren’t just about sport, they’re about community.
UBSWPC has been flying high in recent years, with the Men’s Water Polo 1st team storming through the South Prem in an undefeated season, while the Women’s 1st team delivered their own powerhouse performance, going unbeaten and charging all the way to an unforgettable National semi-final appearance.
What makes that success even more impressive is how inclusive the club remains. With alumni coaches leading both men and women’s squads, every player gets the kind of support and motivation that turns nervous newcomers into confident athletes. ‘
Retention of newcomers has become higher in recent years,’ Ben remarked, influenced by ‘the coaches understanding of what you’re going through having done it themselves.’
Of course, no Bristol club would be complete without a legendary social calendar, and UBSWPC delivers. From themed nights and post-match curries at Naan & Co, to 2 black-tie dinners each year and a huge alumni event at Ashton Gate Stadium in March, there’s always something on. These traditions keep the club’s community thriving long after graduation. ‘Best friends and friendship groups that last start in this club,’ Ben explained.
And then there are the moments that define UBSWPC, the ones that stay with you long after the final whistle. Take the league-deciding Men’s 1st team clash against Oxford 2 years ago, in a season where Bristol had been neck-and-neck with Bath. They needed to win by 6 goals to claim the title. With the Bath team watching from the stands, Bristol pushed every second, and with just a minute left the score was 16–9. Oxford scored to make it 16-10 and it all came down to not conceding in the last minute. Harnessing the electricity of the spectators Bristol held on, much to the delight of the home crowd and a disappointed Bath.
‘Insane scenes,’ Ben recalled: pure chaos, pure joy, and unforgettable UBSWPC.
Whether you’re after a competitive outlet, a new challenge, or just a good reason to spend more time in the water, UBSWPC has you covered. ‘How good you are doesn’t matter,’ Ben said, ‘turning up matters, and you can make memories through that.’
So, if you’re ready to swim, play, and socialise with one of the most spirited clubs at Bristol, the water’s waiting. Dive in!
Are you tempted to get in the water and give waterpolo a go?
Featured Image: Instagram /@ubswpc
