Nathan Carrington is an amazing asset to the club bringing a positive attitude and amazing work ethic to everything he does. Using his skills and personality to inspire the next generation.
How and when did you start swimming?
I started swimming then I was approximately 4 years old. I remember my dad helping to build my confidence in the water and got me started with my lessons with a local club. I started with York City Baths Club (YCBC) and have been with them since the very beginning. Its taken dedication and years of training but I have moved through the various squads which has given me a great foundation of skill and technique. I now train with the National squad and have done so for the last few years.
I started swimming then I was approximately 4 years old. I remember my dad helping to build my confidence in the water and got me started with my lessons with a local club. I started with York City Baths Club (YCBC) and have been with them since the very beginning. Its taken dedication and years of training but I have moved through the various squads which has given me a great foundation of skill and technique. I now train with the National squad and have done so for the last few years.
How did you get involved with GBDSC?
I started with GBDSC in 2016 when I was around 9 years old and had also just started competing with YCBC about the same time. I was inspired by the Deaflympians that swam with the club at this time and because of this I am now a consistent face at GBDSC training weekends and National Championships. I have learnt a lot while at the club about leadership and how to inspire the next generation and I want to be the positive role model for the younger swimmers like I had at the start of my swimming career.
I started with GBDSC in 2016 when I was around 9 years old and had also just started competing with YCBC about the same time. I was inspired by the Deaflympians that swam with the club at this time and because of this I am now a consistent face at GBDSC training weekends and National Championships. I have learnt a lot while at the club about leadership and how to inspire the next generation and I want to be the positive role model for the younger swimmers like I had at the start of my swimming career.
Competitions
This will be my first major international deaf swimming competition but I have trained half my life for this. I compete regularly across multiple distances and strokes. Some of my favorite competitions are the Yorkshire's and also the North East Regionals (NER's). I have enjoyed competing at the National Junior Para Swimming Championships over the years & I am a regular at the GBDSC National Championships where I have been fortunate enough win & retain the Breaststroke title at the last 4 National competitions. I am aware there are some good Breaststroke swimmers coming through and I will continue to train hard to defend this title.
This will be my first major international deaf swimming competition but I have trained half my life for this. I compete regularly across multiple distances and strokes. Some of my favorite competitions are the Yorkshire's and also the North East Regionals (NER's). I have enjoyed competing at the National Junior Para Swimming Championships over the years & I am a regular at the GBDSC National Championships where I have been fortunate enough win & retain the Breaststroke title at the last 4 National competitions. I am aware there are some good Breaststroke swimmers coming through and I will continue to train hard to defend this title.
What drives your training?
The start of my passion for swimming can be traced back to an event when I was just 9 years old. I was asked to be part of a relay team despite still being in the learn to swim section of the club. The whole experience was life changing as I got to compete with friends and subsequently swam so well that coaches promoted me to the training sections of the club. The same year I started with GBDSC and got to not just see but swim along side the likes of Jack McComish, Danielle Joyce and Oliver Kenny. To get the opportunity to share a pool with these giants of deaf swimming for a little kid was inspirational. I was lucky enough to be supported and looked after by Oli during my first GB Deaf Championships, an honour and the reason why I now want to give back and be the inspiration for the next generation like he was for me.
The start of my passion for swimming can be traced back to an event when I was just 9 years old. I was asked to be part of a relay team despite still being in the learn to swim section of the club. The whole experience was life changing as I got to compete with friends and subsequently swam so well that coaches promoted me to the training sections of the club. The same year I started with GBDSC and got to not just see but swim along side the likes of Jack McComish, Danielle Joyce and Oliver Kenny. To get the opportunity to share a pool with these giants of deaf swimming for a little kid was inspirational. I was lucky enough to be supported and looked after by Oli during my first GB Deaf Championships, an honour and the reason why I now want to give back and be the inspiration for the next generation like he was for me.
What events have you qualified for in Tokyo?
The early morning sessions, long hours and sacrifice have been worth it and my hard work has paid off as I have qualified for the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke; the 50m and 100m Butterfly; and the Mixed and Men’s Medley Relays.
I am very proud to represent GB at the Deaflympics. Being able to emulate those that left such an impression on me when I was young feels great and I hope I can do the same for others. Being part of a team at the highest level excites me and I can't wait to support and cheer on my team mates. Swimming in the Tokyo Olympic pool is also a big opportunity having watched the 2020 Olympics and now getting to compete in the same venue is a dream come true.
The early morning sessions, long hours and sacrifice have been worth it and my hard work has paid off as I have qualified for the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke; the 50m and 100m Butterfly; and the Mixed and Men’s Medley Relays.
I am very proud to represent GB at the Deaflympics. Being able to emulate those that left such an impression on me when I was young feels great and I hope I can do the same for others. Being part of a team at the highest level excites me and I can't wait to support and cheer on my team mates. Swimming in the Tokyo Olympic pool is also a big opportunity having watched the 2020 Olympics and now getting to compete in the same venue is a dream come true.
Swimming is my passion and being in the water is my favourite place to be.
My advice to younger swimmers would be to set achievable short term goals, seeing your progress will help keep you motivated and keep a positive mental attitude.
Even when the result wasn't what you hoped for there is always a positive to be found in every situation.
My advice to younger swimmers would be to set achievable short term goals, seeing your progress will help keep you motivated and keep a positive mental attitude.
Even when the result wasn't what you hoped for there is always a positive to be found in every situation.
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Proud member of York City Baths Swimming Club
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