Lucy Jordan-Caws shows us it is possible to be amazingly talented and inspirational as she attends her first Deaflympics as well as being the Women's Captain for GBDSC. Watch out for this talented athlete ready to make a splash on the Deaflympic stage!
How and when did you start swimming?
I’ve always loved the water. From a young age, my parents took me to the local swimming pool. At four years old, I spotted that swimming lessons were happening across the pool and I asked my parents if I could join. From there, I progressed through the lesson stages then joined Verulam Swimming Club at age 7, where I trained until University. During my time at the University of Birmingham, I swam for their swim team, and won medals for the University at BUCS. After graduating, I joined Putteridge Swimming Club, which better suited my training needs. However, Verulam SC remains supportive of me, and I give back by coaching their younger swimmers.
I’ve always loved the water. From a young age, my parents took me to the local swimming pool. At four years old, I spotted that swimming lessons were happening across the pool and I asked my parents if I could join. From there, I progressed through the lesson stages then joined Verulam Swimming Club at age 7, where I trained until University. During my time at the University of Birmingham, I swam for their swim team, and won medals for the University at BUCS. After graduating, I joined Putteridge Swimming Club, which better suited my training needs. However, Verulam SC remains supportive of me, and I give back by coaching their younger swimmers.
How did you get involved with GBDSC?
I joined GBDSC when I was 8 years old. As a young swimmer, I had many role models to look up to, including Danielle Joyce, Jack McCormish and Lucy Walkup, who were all Scottish Deaf swimmers. GBDSC weekends have always fostered a really unique atmosphere. They bring together swimmers of all ages and stages - from those just dipping their toes into competitive swimming, to seasoned Deaflympians. It’s a supportive environment, where younger swimmers can interact with deaf role models, and older swimmers can mentor the next generation and pass on the spirit of deaf swimming.
I joined GBDSC when I was 8 years old. As a young swimmer, I had many role models to look up to, including Danielle Joyce, Jack McCormish and Lucy Walkup, who were all Scottish Deaf swimmers. GBDSC weekends have always fostered a really unique atmosphere. They bring together swimmers of all ages and stages - from those just dipping their toes into competitive swimming, to seasoned Deaflympians. It’s a supportive environment, where younger swimmers can interact with deaf role models, and older swimmers can mentor the next generation and pass on the spirit of deaf swimming.
Competitions
I have represented Great Britain at two major international competitions: 2018 European Deaf Swimming Championships and the 2023 World Deaf Swimming Championships. I hope to share my knowledge and inspire confidence, as women's GBDSC captain, as well as competing myself.
At the 2018 Europeans, my best result was coming 5th in the 200m Butterfly, finishing just a couple of seconds away from a podium position and setting a Scottish Deaf Record in the process!
At the 2023 Worlds, my top finish was 6th in the 200m butterfly. Both events were incredible experiences where I not only had the honour of representing my country but also the chance to connect with other deaf athletes from around the world.
Now, I’m preparing to take part in my first Deaflympics - a dream I've had since I was a six year old. I’m proud that all my hard work and dedication, and the support I’ve received over the years have brought me to this moment.
I have represented Great Britain at two major international competitions: 2018 European Deaf Swimming Championships and the 2023 World Deaf Swimming Championships. I hope to share my knowledge and inspire confidence, as women's GBDSC captain, as well as competing myself.
At the 2018 Europeans, my best result was coming 5th in the 200m Butterfly, finishing just a couple of seconds away from a podium position and setting a Scottish Deaf Record in the process!
At the 2023 Worlds, my top finish was 6th in the 200m butterfly. Both events were incredible experiences where I not only had the honour of representing my country but also the chance to connect with other deaf athletes from around the world.
Now, I’m preparing to take part in my first Deaflympics - a dream I've had since I was a six year old. I’m proud that all my hard work and dedication, and the support I’ve received over the years have brought me to this moment.
What drives your training?
I found out about the Deaflympics at 6 years old, when my school raised awareness of the 2009 Games in Taipei, Taiwan. From that moment, I decided that I wanted to represent Great Britain at the Deaflympics one day and I am very proud to achieve this dream soon!
At 10 years old, I had the opportunity to watch the 2013 Deaflympics live in Sofia, Bulgaria and watch my role models in action! That experience contributed to my ambition to be an Deaflympian one day.
I am the current holder of the Scottish Deaf Record in the 200m Butterfly for both Short Course and Long Course. I hope to build onto this in Tokyo! I’ve also recently been selected for the Scottish Swimming National Senior Academy for 2025/2026.
I found out about the Deaflympics at 6 years old, when my school raised awareness of the 2009 Games in Taipei, Taiwan. From that moment, I decided that I wanted to represent Great Britain at the Deaflympics one day and I am very proud to achieve this dream soon!
At 10 years old, I had the opportunity to watch the 2013 Deaflympics live in Sofia, Bulgaria and watch my role models in action! That experience contributed to my ambition to be an Deaflympian one day.
I am the current holder of the Scottish Deaf Record in the 200m Butterfly for both Short Course and Long Course. I hope to build onto this in Tokyo! I’ve also recently been selected for the Scottish Swimming National Senior Academy for 2025/2026.
What events have you qualified for in Tokyo?
16 years of hard work, sacrifice and effort have made it possible for me to qualify for the 50, 100 and 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 100m freestyle and both freestyle and medley relays.
The DeaflympicsGB swimming team heading to Tokyo 2025 is incredibly strong and I'm proud to be part of such a talented and dedicated group. I'm especially excited to experience the Deaflympics as an athlete. I am also looking forward to competing and showing the results of the hard work I've been putting in over the years.
16 years of hard work, sacrifice and effort have made it possible for me to qualify for the 50, 100 and 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 100m freestyle and both freestyle and medley relays.
The DeaflympicsGB swimming team heading to Tokyo 2025 is incredibly strong and I'm proud to be part of such a talented and dedicated group. I'm especially excited to experience the Deaflympics as an athlete. I am also looking forward to competing and showing the results of the hard work I've been putting in over the years.
It won't be easy but it will be worth it!
As a swimmer (especially a deaf swimmer) you will experience setbacks, that's inevitable with any sport. It's important to have a support network around you and ask for what you need, whether that's a starting strobe light or more support from your coaches or teammates.
Always believe in your goals - achieving them doesn't happen overnight, sometimes it's a 16-year journey like mine was !
As a swimmer (especially a deaf swimmer) you will experience setbacks, that's inevitable with any sport. It's important to have a support network around you and ask for what you need, whether that's a starting strobe light or more support from your coaches or teammates.
Always believe in your goals - achieving them doesn't happen overnight, sometimes it's a 16-year journey like mine was !
click here to see me on LumoTV
Lucy Jordan-Caws :: LumoTV
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