The club, founded in April 1931 as “Portland Baths Swimming Club” at Muskham Street, Nottingham has a long history of swimming achievement and has operated continuously to the present day, with the exception of the war years from 1939 to 1946.

In the 21st Century, "Nottingham Portland Swimming Club" as it was re-named in 1968, attracts swimmers from all over the city and county suburbs. We have Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) membership, (the governing body for British swimming) and are affiliated to the local branch; “Notts ASA”. There is an active club committee that meets regularly to review club policies and we are an ASA Swim 21 accredited club.

Nottingham Portland SC offers 4 evening training sessions per week catering for all abilities from beginners to advanced swimmers, across 3 swimming pool locations (Portland Leisure Centre, Victoria Leisure Centre and Nottingham University Sports Centre). Training sessions are scheduled at convenient times that suit even our youngest swimmers. We have a growing gala squad and enter teams in three local competitive swimming leagues (Approximately 15 inter club galas per year). Nottingham Portland annually holds 3 mini galas for members and our own “Club Championships” in October, where there is an opportunity for swimmers to compete against each other.

History

During its early years, Portland achieved considerable success, winning the local ladies league on several occasions. In 1936, the ladies team also won an open team race, involving neighbouring counties, at a gala in Skegness.
In 1953, a Portland swimmer raced in the 100 yards junior men's breaststroke at the National Championships. The boys’ and girls’ teams came third and fourth respectively in the final of the ASA Midland District in 1955. In 1958, a Portland member saved someone from drowning in the River Trent.
Portland swimmers won five out of fourteen races at the Notts ASA Group 1 Championship in 1961; they also achieved two second places and one third. A Portland swimmer broke the Midland District 100 yards junior breaststroke record later in the same year.
In 1967, Portland swimmers were selected for the National Championships; one broke Midland District records and reached the 220 yards butterfly final. During the same year, a former Portland swimmer won a place in the Great Britain University team to swim at the World Student Games in Tokyo. He was also chosen for the Great Britain team to swim against the USA.