DIVING in once more, Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Swimming Club are pleased to announce their return to the refurbished WaterLane Sports and Leisure Centre in Lowestoft.

After an 18-month absence, the town's top swimming club has returned to their main base.

'In August 2010 we moved our training squads to the Pontins pool at Pakefield but, after the site was sold to the current owners, were given a few days notice to leave,' a LOBSC spokesman said.

'We found squad time at a number of other pools in the area and ran a basic scheme until the end of 2011.

'This was very disruptive for the club and, with falling membership, we reluctantly had to make our professional head coach redundant.

'Our dedicated teaching staff kept our learn-to-swim schemes running throughout and we are grateful to our loyal membership who stood by us through these difficult times.'

Now the club is aiming high once more as they return to the new sports centre development, which features top-class facilities.

The LOBSC spokesman said: 'We hope for a period of stability to start re-building ourselves as a competitive force – we have already welcomed back many past members. We look forward to working with the staff of Sentinel Leisure Trust and appreciate the work they have put into getting their facilities back into operation.'

The club provides a 'motivated coaching team' on poolside, with the head coach job shared between Helen Hardy and Jill Walker.

'They designed a squad scheme that is supportive, safe and enjoyable, yet encourages all swimmers to achieve their best,' the LOBSC spokesman said.

'We are planning for the long-term and expect, over the next few years, to start making our mark again in county, regional and national competition.

'We are planning our first gala in the new pool, hosting the next round of the Suffolk Winter League,' the spokesman added.

The club is welcoming new members who wish to learn to swim (aged five upwards), to train for fitness and competition, or to help them deliver our swimming programmes.

n Contact club secretary Andy Walker on 01502 740359 or e-mail andywalker99@btinternet.com for more information.