LEICESTER MASTERS SWIMMING CLUB
Leicester Masters Make a Splash in Krefeld!
After months of planning, 13 members of Leicester Masters Swimming Club set off on an unforgettable long weekend to Krefeld, Germany, to strengthen the growing friendship between our club and Uerdinger SV 08, a German water polo and swimming club,
The adventure began bright and early on Thursday morning as the majority of the group gathered at Cossington Street Sports Centre to board the coach for the journey across the Channel and through Europe. A handful of members travelled separately by air, but by Thursday evening everyone had arrived safely in Krefeld, ready for an action-packed few days.
Friday morning began exactly as you’d expect for a Masters swimming club—with an early training session! We were warmly welcomed by Uerdinger SV 08 at their beautiful Waldsee complex, where one of the club’s coaches introduced us to some new training ideas and a few fun challenges that certainly kept everyone on their toes.
Uerdinger SV 08 Swimming Baths
From there, we travelled to Krefeld City Hall, where we received an incredibly warm civic welcome from the Bürgermeister, Frank Meyer. Alongside representatives from the Leicester and Krefeld twinning associations, we heard about the long-standing friendship between our two cities and how sporting links like ours are helping to strengthen those relationships for the future. It was a real privilege to be welcomed so warmly.
Bürgermeister Frank Meyer and Helen Atton (Chief Swimming Coach)
Swimming Club and CLETA Members in Krefeld Town Hall Square
No visit to Germany would be complete without sampling some traditional food, and after a guided walk through Krefeld city centre, including visits to some of the city’s historic landmarks—we enjoyed a fantastic lunch in a traditional German pub.
After an enjoyable lunch at Restaurant Elvira
The afternoon took us to the House of Silk and Culture, where we discovered why Krefeld became known as the “City of Silk”. The museum gave us a fascinating insight into the city’s rich textile heritage and the craftsmanship that helped shape its history.
Exhibit at House of Silk and Culture
Saturday started with another early alarm for those taking part in the Uerdinger Stadt parkrun. Congratulations to Dan, who produced an outstanding run to finish third overall!
The Magnificent 8
Back at Waldsee, many of us experienced one of the highlights of the entire trip. Olympic gold medallist and former world-class backstroke swimmer, Steffen Driesen, led an outstanding coaching session, sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm and technical expertise with swimmers from both clubs. It was a fantastic opportunity to train together and one that none of us will forget.
Helen Atton discussing tactics with Steffen Driesen
After a relaxing afternoon exploring Krefeld Zoo, the evening took on a distinctly British flavour as we gathered on the banks of the River Rhine at Rhine Side. Hosted by our good friend Frank Langen and his colleagues, the evening featured quizzes, music, bagpipes, plenty of laughter and lots of opportunities to socialise with our German hosts. It perfectly summed up what the weekend had become, not just a swimming trip, but a celebration of friendship between two cities.
Swimmers relax at Rhine Side Festival
Event Organiser Frank Langen with CLETA Chair, Fred Rankin
Sunday saw one final training session, this time led by Leicester Masters, before we visited the magnificent Burg Linn Castle. Our guide brought centuries of history to life and gave us a fascinating insight into one of the region’s best-preserved medieval castles.
Burg Linn Castle
The weekend concluded with one final evening together in a traditional German pub, where locals and visitors alike, gathered to watch the Football World Cup Final. While the football perhaps wasn’t the most thrilling spectacle ever witnessed, the atmosphere, conversation and company certainly made up for it!
By the time we boarded the coach home on Monday morning, nobody was quite ready for the adventure to end. We returned to Leicester tired, but with countless photographs, wonderful memories and, most importantly, new friendships that we hope will continue to grow for many years to come.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity and hospitality shown by everyone at Uerdinger SV 08, particularly Tim and his fantastic team, who looked after us throughout the weekend. We are also hugely grateful to Fred and Viv Rankin from the City of Leicester European Twinning Association, together with Frank Langen and everyone involved in the Krefeld Twinning Association, whose hard work and enthusiasm made the entire visit possible.
Our sincere thanks also go to Bürgermeister Frank Meyer for welcoming us to Krefeld and to Olympic swimmer Steffen Driesen for delivering a coaching session that many of us will remember for years to come.
This trip has been about so much more than swimming. It has been about friendship, hospitality, cultural exchange and building relationships that extend far beyond the pool. We very much hope this is the first of many visits, and we look forward to welcoming our friends from Krefeld to Leicester in the future.
Report provided by Peter Farmer
