We’ve just come across a fascinating piece of Lido history, on of all places, Surrey Chambers of Commerce website, an unlikely place to find Lido history!

“Things are going swimmingly for one of the more unusual members of Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Guildford City Swimming Club.

Founded in 1889 by a local youth Maurice Quittenden, the Club moved to Castle Street Baths from the Guildford Boathouse, where it stayed for 70 years. After World War 1, swimming resumed with the formation of a junior section, and a new pavilion was built for river swimming in 1921, the first time women were allowed to compete at a gala. Affiliation to Surrey came in 1931 and in 1934 (Edit: 1933) the Guildford Lido was opened.

The Southern Counties 220 yards and 440 yards championships were held at the Lido in 1946, and the Club organised the first Surrey Constabulary Gala in 1949. An influx of children in the 1940s and 50s necessitated an extra hour on Club Nights, with water polo played on the river on two other evenings.

In 1954 agreement was reached on a winter season, and in 1957 fixtures were arranged with Woking, Farnham, Aldershot, Redhill & Reigate, and Epsom. In 1971 the new pool at Bedford Road was opened and in 1993 Guildford City moved to its current home at the Spectrum Leisure Centre. Since May 1998 Chief Coach Richard Garfield, with his poolside management team, has helped the Club achieve unparalleled results, with swimmers being included in the Great Britain Squad and World Class Squad. Guildford City is now considered one of the top Clubs in Great Britain winning the National Speedo B Final in 2005. After winning the Speedo South East League, the club is now competing in the National Speedo A final and recently won the Surrey County Championships with almost twice the points of its nearest opponents”.

Taken from http://www.surrey-chambers.co.uk/members_news.php?memID=190