Joanne Rout

Hello, my name is Joanne "Jo" Rout and I have been volunteering at the club for a few months now. So far I have got to know many of the swimmers and a few parents, but for those of you who have not met me I would like to introduce myself.

Swimming has always been the love of my life and although I was born without part of my left forearm and left hand, this has never been an obstacle or held me back. Swimming is such a wonderful sport, that people with all different abilities can enjoy it. In fact it has driven me and made me more competitive to prove myself as an equal to all.

I started swimming at The Monson Swimming Club in Tunbridge Wells at a very young age and by chance got into swimming for the disabled as well. My first competition was at Stoke Mandeville (Where the first ever Paralympic games were held) when i was 8 years old  and i won 6 gold medals. From there I went on to hold every National Record within my classification. I had the honor of representing Great Britain on 3 occasions, Paris International aged 11, Miami World Games aged 14, but most importantly to me, the Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea in 1988 when i was just 12 years old and for 23 years now I have held the record for being the youngest British Paralympian. At the Games I won relay Golds in the 4x100m Freestyle and the 4x100m Medley in which I swam the butterfly leg and we also smashed both world records in these events. I also won 3 silver medals in the 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke and the 4x50m Individual Medley.

My passion for swimming has never gone away that i decided to become a fully qualified Swimming Teacher. I have taught at The Viking Swimming Club in Rye and for The Barbarians in Hastings. Now due to ill health I'm unable to coach/teach full time but I am delighted to be able to help out as a volunteer. I am very pleased that The Beacon Swimming Club has made me feel so welcome and I feel privileged to be of assistance to the Club, helping the swimmers to reach their full potential, believe in themselves, keep fit and above all have fun doing so.