Borocuda Coaches Take on 24 Hours at Ellerton Park
7 of Team Borocuda
This September, eight swimming club coaches from Borocuda are diving into the ultimate challenge – 24 hours of non-stop swimming at one of Yorkshire's best-kept secrets.
Team Borocuda:
James Trethowan AKA Spoon
James Woods AKA Kettle
Ellie Tibbett AKA Pimples
Libbi Upton AKA Corkscrew
Ryan O'Gorman AKA Rolling Pin
Fin Aird AKA Pan
Harry Bell AKA Big Jacket
George Bashford AKA Crabman Bushfire
The Challenge
On the 5th and 6th of September, Borocuda's competitive swimming club coaches will take on something they've never done before: swimming through the night. Split into two teams of four, these dedicated coaches will swim lap after lap around the circuit at Ellerton Park, with supporters encouraged to donate to their chosen team. The team that completes will donate a prize to one of their fundraisers – but everyone wins when every pound raised goes towards providing specialist swimming lessons for children with disabilities.
For most of these coaches, this will be their first time swimming at night. It's a test of dedication, endurance, and the same determination they inspire in their swimmers every single day.
The Story Behind Borocuda
Before Borocuda had a pool of their own, owner James and his team were like many swim school operators – hiring pool time wherever they could find it. But James had a vision: to create something special, a dedicated space where children could learn, grow, and thrive in the water.
In 2020, that vision became reality. James built Borocuda a home - a stunning pool that gives children the opportunity to be free in the water.
Today, Borocuda Swim School is the #1 adaptive swim provider in the area, running swimming lessons every single day of the week. They provide:
Group swimming lessons for children of all abilities
1:1 specialist lessons for around 150 Level Water children
Adaptive swimming sessions tailored to individual needs
A competitive swimming club with their own parasquad programme
Families travel from as far as Whitby – over an hour away – to access Borocuda's specialist teaching. That's the impact of a team who truly understand how to make swimming accessible to every child.
Why This Challenge Matters
The coaches taking on this 24-hour challenge aren't just swimming for themselves. They're swimming for every child they've taught, every family they've supported, and every young person whose life has been transformed by learning to swim.
Take one girl who started her swimming journey at Borocuda 11 years ago in baby swimming lessons. Over the years, she progressed through group lessons, moved into the swimming club, flourished in competitions, and is now part of the parasquad programme. She's living proof of what's possible when specialist coaching meets determination and support.
That's what Level Water funding enables – long-term, life-changing swimming journeys for children with disabilities. Every £15 raised funds one specialist lesson. Every lesson builds confidence, develops physical skills, creates social connections, and opens up a world of possibilities in the water.
Ellerton Park: The Perfect Setting
Located just 35 minutes away from the Borocuda pool, Ellerton Park is the ideal location for this challenge. This stunning freshwater lake offers everything a long-distance swimmer needs: clear water for visibility, facilities including showers, and the kind of natural beauty that makes swimming feel less like a challenge and more like a privilege.
The lake sits among other swim spots, rivers, and outdoor swimming locations – a reminder of the vibrant open water community in Yorkshire and the growing movement of people discovering the joy and challenge of swimming beyond four walls.
How You Can Get Involved
Join us at Ellerton Park on 5-6 September:
Donate to your chosen team and help them swim to victory
Come and swim yourself – the more the merrier!
Cheer on the coaches as they push through the night
Find all the details and donation information at: levelwater.org/24hr-ellerton-park
The Heart of It All
Every day, Borocuda's coaches teach children that they can achieve things they never thought possible. They break down barriers, build confidence, and open up the world of swimming to everyone, regardless of ability or disability.
This September, it's time to watch these inspiring humans dive into their own challenge. They teach every single day – now watch them swim all night.
Because when swimming brings people together, when it creates opportunity, when it transforms lives – that's when it matters most.
Ready to support Team Borocuda? Visit levelwater.org/24hr-ellerton-park to donate, swim, or simply show up and cheer.
These coaches won't stop until the 24 hours are up. And with your support, neither will the children whose swimming lessons they're funding.
