Dulwich Pudong AquaPanthers Are Making Waves
This term has been nothing short of spectacular for Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong Aquatics! We are riding a powerful wave of momentum, fuelled by stellar competition results, a dynamic new coaching direction and the continued growth of our Water Polo and Artistic Swimming squads. Above all, we are thrilled to see students across the school diving in with newfound confidence, unwavering resilience and a pure, joyful passion for the water.
With 113 AquaPanther swimmers registered this season — supported by growing Water Polo and Artistic Swimming squads — the pool has become one of the busiest and most vibrant spaces on campus.
A Season of Competitive Highlights
The season opened with outstanding performances at SSL Round 1, where 84 of our 113 swimmers took to the water. The team broke 6 school records and 8 age group records, with the 11–12 girls securing 1st place overall, the 13–14 girls taking 2nd and the 9–10 boys earning 3rd.
Momentum continued at the annual SAS–ISB Swimvitational Meet, one of the fastest meets of the year and restricted to only the top swimmers
from Shanghai and Beijing. Our athletes rose to the challenge, breaking 7 school records and 19 age group records. The team achieved an impressive 2nd place overall, with the 11–12 girls placing 2nd and both 9–10 girls and 9–10 boys finishing 3rd in their age groups.
On 15 November, Dulwich Pudong hosted SSL Round 2, with 460 swimmers attending from all around Shanghai. Swimmers broke 9 age group records, 4 school records and 2 SSL records. The 9–10 boys and 11–12 girls each took 3rd place overall for their age group, and our AquaPanthers placed 3rd in the overall final ranking.
A crucial part of the event’s success was played by our parent volunteers, who helped with organising, running and supporting all swimmers and coaches. Our Cheerleading Team gave tremendous encouragement to our athletes and created a great atmosphere, which was praised many times by other schools during the meet.
Coaching Excellence Behind the Progress
A key driver of this success has been the strengthened coaching team. Guided by Director of Aquatics, Anton Goncharov, the programme now follows a long-term development model that focuses on technique, pacing, race strategy and supporting individual swimmers' needs.
Anton is a former Ukrainian National Team swimmer, a multiple international medallist and the 2017 World Champion in the Masters competition. He brings more than a decade of coaching experience and a passion for nurturing both athletes and people.
He is joined by coaches Maggie Xie, Wenkui Shi, Aleksandr Baldin and Wendy Louis, who contribute expertise across competitive swimming, water polo, artistic swimming and youth development.
All coaches have backgrounds either as professional swimmers, artistic swimmers or water polo players. Together they have more than 50 years of coaching experience. A love of sport, passion for their work and a desire to share their experiences unite them and make them a fantastic team.
A Complete Aquatics Pathway for Every Student
Aquatics at Dulwich Pudong supports students from their first experiences in Year 1 through to high-level performance in Senior School. Our swimming curriculum builds essential safety and swimming skills from Year 1 to Year 9, forming a foundation that allows students to pursue competitive or recreational pathways.
Swimming
The Swim Team continues to grow in both numbers and ability. Students follow a clear development pathway that embraces gradual progression and skill mastery from the Dulwich Swimming Academy (DSA) — which supports more than 100 young swimmers —to the Senior Performance Team preparing for elite meets.
Water Polo
Water Polo continues to expand rapidly. After starting from a small group three years ago, the programme now fields two strong teams constantly improving their foundations with the aim of attending more competitions around Shanghai and China. The sport's tactical depth has attracted many students who enjoy fast-paced team play.
Artistic Swimming
Artistic Swimming has grown into a confident and creative team. They are the first official artistic swimming team within the Shanghai International School community. Their routines combine strength, coordination and teamwork. Students are preparing for the annual Dulwich Aquatic Games, one of the highlights of the year.
Inside the Engine Room: Student Dedication
What truly powers the programme is the dedication of our young athletes. Many begin their day with a 6.15am session focused on mobility, strength and technique. By 7.45am, they head off to class, only to return at 3.45pm for another 90-minute session of race-specific sets, starts and turns.
It is a demanding schedule. Swimmers complete thousands of metres each day while balancing a full academic timetable, yet they approach the challenge with enthusiasm and resilience.
A Culture of Community and Joy
Beyond competition, our programme is built on inclusivity and enjoyment. Events such as the Spring Splash Festival, Halloween Spooktacular Swim and the Reindeer Dash bring students together for celebration, creativity and fun. Being an AquaPanther swimmer means more than just competing. It's about connection.
Parents are a vital part of this community. The presence of our Cheerleading Team at swim meets provides encouragement and creates an energising atmosphere that has been praised by visiting schools.
From DSA students discovering early confidence in the water to senior athletes preparing for national-level competitions, every swimmer contributes to a community that values participation, courage and enjoyment.
Looking Ahead
With strengthened coaching, expanding programmes and a student body eager to learn, the future of Aquatics at Dulwich Pudong is filled with potential. The upcoming season will bring new goals and new opportunities to grow as athletes and as a team.
