Ella Windle

Ella Windle – Vice Captain 2015-16

I started competitive swimming at the age of 9 while living in Hong Kong, as my swim teacher suggested that I would enjoy training and competition.

My best events are the 200IM and 400IM, but I also enjoy racing freestyle and butterfly. My role model in swimming is Keri-Anne Payne, who I met when I was 10. I remember her saying that it is not just about how many hours you train for but how hard you train in those hours! She demonstrates that hard work and dedication can lead to success. She has also learned to deal with disappointment but continues to compete at the highest level.

My swimming hi lights were achieving my first NQT at the age of 15 in the 200 IM and swimming in the finals at English Summer Nationals. One of my most memorable swims will always be swimming in the final at British Nationals in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay for Guildford with 3 great friends. It was such an amazing experience and so fun being part of the team. In the future, I would love to continue competing at National level and to make finals at British Nationals.

I am currently studying Biology, Chemistry, and German at A-level (having studied maths at AS). In order to balance schoolwork and swim training, I try to be organised, and plan when I will do my schoolwork so that it fits in with my training schedule. After sixth form, I plan to study medicine at university and so in my spare time I volunteer once a week both at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and Rapkyns Care Centre for adults with disabilities. I plan to continue swimming at university, as I really enjoy competing and keeping fit and think that it is a great way to make friends.

I love being part of Guildford City, it is a fun and friendly environment in which to train and the coaches are passionate about swimming and the club. They are also really supportive and motivational. I know I have made life long friends at Guildford, we support each other in both good and difficult times.

I believe that continuous hard work and commitment in swimming will lead to improvements and success. I have gone through some years of plateauing swims but then achieved big step changes. Swimming really is a journey so keep training hard because even if there are times when you feel that you are not improving, you will be! Most of all though, have fun and enjoy it!