Return of accessible Aqua Bests makes a splash in Winchester!
A local water-based event for adults with learning disabilities has returned for a successful second year.
Aqua Bests is organised by Active LD in partnership with Winchester City Council and Everyone Active, with support from Winchester City Swimming Club and Winchester Water Polo Club who provided coaches and volunteers.
A sister event to Winchester Personal Bests, the 2026 Aqua Bests saw a rise in participants to 38 people. It was also supported by 18 additional volunteers including corporate volunteers from Mitie and Simplyhealth.
Betty Chadwick, Executive Director of Active LD, said: “It's brilliant to see Aqua Bests growing in its second year! We welcomed 38 adults with learning disabilities – almost 12% more than last year – including 34 participants in the pool, three adults with learning disabilities in our volunteer team and one learning disabled supporter.
“The water can offer a real sense of freedom for people with learning and physical disabilities, making movement easier and helping people feel more independent. But Aqua Bests is about much more than what's happening in the pool. There's so much energy, laughter, friendship and fun, and the social side of the day is just as important.
“To us, that's what inclusion looks like: finding ways for everyone to take part, contribute and share the experience. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make it happen, and congratulations to all our participants, especially our Aqua Bests Star trophy winners. We hope even more people with learning disabilities will be inspired to give swimming and aqua aerobics a go!”
Cllr Kathleen Becker, Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities at Winchester City Council, said: “How wonderful to see Aqua Bests build on the successes of last year with such a brilliant second event, attended by even more people from our communities, and across the wider county.
“In addition to being a fun day of water-based activity and social opportunities, Aqua Bests is also a valuable introduction to the water-based regular accessible sessions which take place throughout the year, including accessible water activity at our local Everyone Active facilities - disability swimming takes place on Thursdays and Fridays, and there are aqua aerobics sessions too.”
Alison Lewis, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “Our team at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park were incredibly proud to host Aqua Bests and we will continue to make a wide array of sports as accessible as possible. This event embodies our mission to ensure all members of our community – no matter their background, age or ability – can take part in accessible sporting opportunities.”