Paul Rigden - Pentaqua Head Coach

It was with great sadness that I heard that Paul had lost his battle with cancer.

Back in 2002 I first met up with Paul, I can’t remember the circumstances but at the time I was swimming with the Vulcan Masters and within a short time I knew it was time to move to Pentaqua and be under the guidance of Paul.

Swimming on a regular basis within the squad system, he tutored me to great things in breaststroke. I broke the County Record for my Age Group. Paul persuaded me to enter more adventurous events like the National Masters at Ponds Forge, even to enter the 200m breast. I was duly challenged coming back with Silver and Bronze medals in subsequent years, unfortunately never Gold.

Paul was always keen on getting the stroke right and had these quirky drills that he pursued – Shark-fin was probably my favourite but I never managed to accomplish this drill successfully. The majority of the drills he taught me for breast I still do and I have found them a great help.

Unfortunately he moved on to better things. He left Pentaqua to setup a swim school in Spain. I had every intention of taking up an offer of going over to Spain but never quite managed it. We kept in touch although only briefly. He always showed interest on how I was swimming in various events.  

Yes, Paul will be sadly missed

Godfrey Green