AP Race Launch Swimming Academy In Saudi Arabia
AP Race, a brand co-founded and built by three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty that includes clinics and events, has launched a swimming academy in Saudi Arabia.
Peaty and Ed Baxter founded the AP brand which has been delivering race clinics since 2019 and for the last two years have staged the AP Race London International at the Aquatics Centre, a three-day meet which features international and domestic swimmers through to grassroots initiatives.
Their latest venture comes about following the acquisition of the existing WAVE academy which was founded by members of the Saudi royal family and primarily HRH Princess Reem bint Abdullah Al Saud.
A statement released by AP Race stated: “AP Race are delighted to announce the official acquisition of the Wave Swimming Academy!
“In 2023, AP Race embarked on an exciting journey to explore the opportunity of establishing a swimming academy.
“This vision aimed to offer an opportunity for swimmers to join an academy for their very first swimming lessons and stay with the
same team to train towards an Olympic Games. In early 2024, we became aware of the huge passion and potential for swimming across the monumental Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Adam Peaty: Photo Courtesy: AP Race Club
“During our exploration we discovered WAVE, a prestigious swimming academy founded by HRH Princess Reem bint Abdullah Al Saud. WAVE is a trailblazer in the private sector for swimming in the Kingdom, focusing on both mass participation and elite performance. It is the first purpose-built swimming academy for women, boasting over 9,000 members from 2020 to 2024.
“Notably, Wave’s athletes have achieved success in competitions, producing numerous Saudi Games medallists and Saudi National Record holders. The former CEO and Co-founder of WAVE, Reinhardt Strijdom, a South African and former University of Kentucky swimmer, led the project that advanced female swimming development and contributed significantly to WAVE’s lasting impact on the Kingdom’s aquatic landscape.
“Once WAVE, Princess Reem and Reinhardt became aware of AP Race’s plans within the Kingdom, AP Race were approached to explore if there was mutual interest in taking acquisition of WAVE Swimming Academy. We then began to work tirelessly to make sure we took this incredible opportunity, and we are delighted to be able to officially announce that through this acquisition, today marks the official launch of the AP Race Swimming Academy in Saudi Arabia.
“Reinhardt expressed his confidence in our visions, stating: ’Princess Reem and I couldn’t have chosen better custodians for the project. Their operational experience, professionalism and love for the sport will have a profound effect on swimming in the Kingdom and we can’t wait to see the long-term results.'”
Peaty – who a fortnight ago won 100m breaststroke silver at Paris 2024 – added: “This project is something I am incredibly passionate about and it is an honour to be in this position. When Ed (AP Race co-founder Ed Baxter) and I founded AP Race, there was one clear goal – to have as much positive influence on the swimming world as possible.
“With this project, there is an opportunity to shape an entire nation’s swimming trajectory while continuing to grow all of our projects in the UK. I can’t wait to spend time within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, spreading the power of sport, so soon after arriving home
from Paris.”
Adam Peaty: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow/Aquatics GB
Among appointments to the AP Race team for the Saudi project are Katie Towner, former head of Learn to Swim at Swim England.
Baxter, also the AP Race managing director, added: “It is an honour to be in the position to take acquisition of WAVE. We have been incredibly fortunate to work with such a welcoming and passionate team through this process, by way of Princess Reem, Eyad Jubair and Reinhardt Strijdom.
“We have recruited a world-class team from all around the world to grow this project with us, such as our Director of Operations,
Katie Towner. I couldn’t be more excited to not just build more champions in the pool, but also make more children and adults
safe around water, and of course continue to leave an amazing legacy for the work done thus far.”
The statement concluded: “This is a momentous moment within the swimming world, for promising, positive change and unparalleled opportunities within the aquatic community. AP Race are driven to create something that will make a true difference and continue to spread our message globally, to help swimmers, coaches and parents, become… Better Than Yesterday”