THE NEXT WAVE IN AQUATICS
WellNation reports from the Freeow Swim Conference 2025, which has become one of the leading events for the UK aquatics sector
The Freeflow Swim Conference 2025, hosted by Leisure DB at the iconic London Aquatics Centre on 18 September, was hailed as a milestone gathering for the UK’s swimming community. Drawing leaders from across sport, health, and leisure, the event combined robust data from Leisure DB’s State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2025 with inspiring discussions, underlining both the challenges and the potential of the nation’s pool network.
Swimming matters – for health, for safety, and for communities
Diverse voices, shared purpose The conference programme brought together a remarkable range of voices. From Olympic champion Becky Adlington (Swim!) to senior leaders from Swim England (Andy Salmon), the STA (Dave Candler), and RLSS UK (Simmy Akhtar), attendees heard perspectives spanning grassroots participation, safety and elite performance.
Key sessions included:
State of the UK Swimming Industry – Key progress from the figureheads of the governing bodies and leading operators.
Neurodiversity and Swimming – A powerful discussion on inclusion and accessibility.
Utilising Secondary Spend – Insights into diversifying revenue and building resilience.
Energy Costs: What’s the Cure? – Practical solutions to one of the sector’s biggest challenges.
Programming for Success – Examples of creative approaches to maximising pool usage.
A venue fit for the occasion
The choice of the London Aquatics Centre, a legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games, added symbolic weight to the day. The venue’s world-class setting provided a fitting backdrop for conversations about safeguarding swimming for future generations, reminding delegates of both the sport’s proud history and its ongoing potential.
Looking forward with optimism While acknowledging the ongoing decline in pool stock, the Freeflow Swim Conference struck an optimistic note. The combination of candid data, expert insight, and passionate advocacy created a platform not only for reflection but also for momentum.
As the conference concluded, the message was clear: swimming matters; for health, for safety, and for communities. By bringing together diverse stakeholders in such a dynamic and celebratory forum, Leisure DB ensured that the Freeflow Swim Conference 2025 will be remembered as a turning point in the campaign to protect and grow the UK’s pool provision.
“The Freeflow conference is more than just an event – it is a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and progress,” said LeisureDB’s David Minton. “It explores the future of swimming and aquatics within the fitness and leisure sector.