What Is LUSWP and Who Can Join Lancaster University Swimming and Water Polo?
LUSWP stands for Lancaster University Swimming and Water Polo Club — a competitive club that represents Lancaster University and, according to the club, is one of the largest and most successful on campus. It is open to swimmers and water polo players of all abilities, so you do not need to be an elite athlete to join. The club trains and competes at the Lancaster University Sports Centre, using its aquatic and gym facilities as a Sport Lancaster club.
What LUSWP actually is
LUSWP is a student sports club rather than an academic programme or a standalone commercial swim school. Its two sports are:
- Swimming — with squads and competition across the university season.
- Water polo — also with training and competitive opportunities.
The club describes itself as inclusive, lively and outgoing, and says members are welcomed regardless of ability level. In practice that means the club is structured so that both newcomers and experienced athletes can find a suitable training group.
Who can join
You can get involved if you are:
- A current Lancaster University student wanting to train or compete in swimming or water polo.
- A prospective student who is applying to Lancaster University and wants to find out more before arriving.
The club explicitly invites both groups to make contact through its contact page. Because it welcomes all abilities, the main condition is simply being part of (or joining) the university community — not hitting a qualifying time or having prior water polo experience.
Training squads and what they mean for you
The club's site lists squad options that indicate how training is organised:
| Squad / area | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Swimming Performance Squad | A more competitive training group for swimmers aiming at higher-level competition |
| Development Squad | A route for swimmers building skills and fitness, or newer to structured training |
| Swimming Records | Club records that members can target |
| WaterPolo | Separate water polo training and competition |
| Club Events / Club Socials | The social side of membership |
| Annual Club Tour | A club trip, separate from regular training |
| Charity Events | Fundraising and volunteering activity |
| Roses Varsity | The annual Lancaster–York varsity competition |
The exact entry requirements, session times and fees are not stated on the page, so those are things to confirm directly with the club.
Competition opportunities
LUSWP competes in the British University and College Sport (BUCS) Championships and in the annual Roses Varsity against York. The club also notes that members have achieved many individual and team successes. If competitive sport is your goal, these are the two main fixtures named on the site.
Where the club trains
Training and competition take place at the Lancaster University Sports Centre, which the club describes as offering elite aquatic and gym facilities. The club operates as a leading Sport Lancaster club, which is the university's sport framework.
The partner club connection
LUSWP is partnered with Lancaster City, a club established in 1889 with over 125 years of experience in both swimming and water polo. Lancaster City is described as the only club in the Lancaster District offering both sports competitively, and as one of the UK's most successful water polo teams, with 9 British Water Polo League titles and 11 Senior National titles. For members, this partnership signals a link to a long-established local club alongside university competition.
How to get in contact
If you are a current or prospective student and want details on joining, training times or squads, the club directs you to its contact page on the LUSWP website. The club also maintains an Instagram page for updates on competitions, training, socials and club news — useful if you want to see what membership looks like before committing.
Quick summary
- What it is: Lancaster University Swimming and Water Polo Club, a competitive student club.
- Who can join: Swimmers and water polo players of all abilities; current and prospective students.
- Where: Lancaster University Sports Centre.
- Competes in: BUCS Championships and Roses Varsity.
- Squads: Performance and Development options for swimming, plus water polo.
- Next step: Use the club's contact page or Instagram for current joining details.