Blog
Enjoy The Journey
My name is Tia Aitken, and I recently graduated from the JESS Dubai. This September, I will be moving to the University of Manchester to continue both my academic and swimming journey.
I’ve been part of Hamilton Aquatics for thirteen years. Like many swimmers, I started in Learn to Swim Level 1 and gradually worked my way through the programme, eventually reaching the squad that I am in now, Youth 1. Along the way, swimming became far more than just an after-school activity. It became a constant throughout my life, shaping many of my experiences, friendships, and opportunities.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to compete at competitions across Dubai, the UK, and internationally where I’ve won medals at events including the Dubai Open, the Scottish National Age Groups, and the Scottish Summer Meets. I’ve also competed at the British Summer Championships in the 400m Individual Medley for the past two years, an achievement I’m particularly proud of given the level of competition required to qualify.
However, when I look back on my swimming journey, the results aren’t the first thing that come to mind. The lesson that has stayed with me most is the importance of enjoying the journey. That might sound simple, but it’s something that took me years to fully understand.
When you’re younger, it’s easy to become focused on the next goal. The next qualifying time. The next competition. The next medal. For a long time, I thought success in swimming was all about reaching those milestones. While goals are important, I’ve come to realise that constantly looking ahead can sometimes stop you from appreciating what’s happening right now. Some of my favourite memories from swimming have very little to do with results.
One of the things that made my experience so special was sharing much of it with my younger sister, Emmie. At the beginning, we trained and competed together before eventually moving into different pathways. Looking back, some of my favourite memories involve travelling to competitions, supporting one another, and experiencing the sport together.
Another memory that stands out is competing at the World School Games in London. While the racing itself was exciting, what I remember most is spending time with teammates, representing my school, and being part of an experience that I never would have had without swimming.
Moments like these reminded me that swimming is about much more than what appears on a results sheet. Of course, swimming hasn’t always been easy. Every swimmer experiences setbacks. There are races that don’t go to plan, training sessions that feel difficult, and moments when progress seems frustratingly slow. I’ve experienced all of those things throughout my journey.
What swimming taught me was not how to avoid challenges, but how to respond to them. It taught me resilience. It taught me that improvement is rarely a straight line and that some of the biggest lessons come from the toughest moments. Looking back now, some of the races that disappointed me the most ended up helping me grow the most as an athlete and as a person.
Another thing swimming has given me is perspective. When you’re training week after week, it’s easy to think only about times and rankings. But over time, I’ve realised that what lasts longest are the friendships and experiences you gain along the way.
Through Hamilton Aquatics and later through the University of Aberdeen Performance Programme in Scotland, I’ve met people who have become lifelong friends. Some of my best memories come from competitions and the countless hours spent on poolside with teammates who understood both the highs and lows of the sport.
In my final year of school, I also had the privilege of serving as swim captain and helping our team win the DASSA Division 1 Swimming Championships. It was a proud moment and a fitting way to conclude an important chapter of my swimming journey.
So what should you take away from all of this?
If there is one thing I hope younger swimmers remember, it is this: don’t spend so much time chasing the next goal that you forget to enjoy where you are.
Work hard. Set ambitious goals. Push yourself to improve. But also appreciate the people around you, the opportunities the sport gives you, and the memories you’re creating along the way.
One day, you’ll swim your final race. You’ll leave your squad, move on to university, start a career, and begin a completely new chapter of your life. When that day comes, the things you’ll remember most probably won’t be your fastest times or your medal count. You’ll remember the friendships, the laughs behind the blocks, and the early mornings, and the people who shared the journey with you.
As I prepare to begin the next chapter of my life at the University of Manchester, I find myself incredibly grateful for everything Hamilton Aquatics has given me over the past thirteen years. The club has played a huge role in shaping who I am today, and I know many of the lessons I’ve learned here will stay with me long after I leave the pool.
So enjoy the journey. It goes by much faster than you think.