I am a photographer for sports competitions and recently I had the pleasure of capturing the struggles of young swimmers during the Swimple swimming school competition held in Mikołajki. The competition was aimed at children and was cheered on by their parents.

A group of swimmers in white shirts pose and celebrate together by an indoor pool after a swimming competition, with medals and balloons visible, in front of a Swimple event backdrop.

Swimming pool starting blocks decorated with colorful tinsel and holiday ornaments, each topped with an orange cone, set beside swimming lanes ready for a festive swimming competition in an indoor pool.

Two people in red shirts and festive reindeer antler headbands stand side by side, smiling at the camera. One has an arm around the other, celebrating together after a swimming competition in an indoor facility with a white tiled wall.

Children wearing swim caps and goggles practice swimming in an indoor pool with flotation noodles, supervised by adults in the background. The bright, busy environment mimics the excitement of a swimming competition.

Swimmers and coaches gather at an indoor pool, preparing for or watching a swimming competition. Some are in the water by the lane ropes, while others stand or sit on the deck with various swim gear and equipment visible.

A young child wearing blue swim goggles and a swim cap stands by a pool, holding a yellow pool noodle around their torso. The background hints at swimming competition excitement with other swimmers and poolside activity out of focus.

Children in swimsuits and swim caps stand by a swimming pool during a swimming competition. One child jumps into the water holding a pool noodle, aiming for an adult in the water as several people watch from poolside and the stands.

A child in a swim cap lies on a yellow float in a swimming pool, holding a blue pool noodle, with an adult in a swim cap nearby. Other children and adults are in the background near the pool after a swimming competition.

A man wearing a Santa hat, holding a microphone and red folder, walks by an indoor swimming pool during a swimming competition, as swimmers rest at the edge and watch him. The pool area is decorated with red flags.

A smiling swim instructor leans down poolside next to two young children in swim gear and goggles, preparing them for a swimming competition, with other swimmers and spectators visible in the background of the indoor pool area.

A person in a Santa hat holds a microphone and clipboard, standing by an indoor swimming pool, addressing swimmers lined up in lanes for a festive swimming competition. The pool area is well-lit with large windows and holiday decorations.

A man wearing swim goggles stands in a swimming pool with both arms raised above his head, smiling, as if celebrating after a swimming competition. Behind him are poolside storage shelves with various swimming equipment.

Several swimmers wearing swim caps and goggles are lined up in lanes at the edge of an indoor pool, preparing for a swimming competition. A person in a pink robe stands in the background near the pool entrance.

A young child wearing a swim cap and goggles practices for a swimming competition, using a purple pool noodle while swimming in an indoor pool.

Indoor swimming pool with several swimmers in lanes, some wearing swim caps and goggles. Coaches or instructors are in the water, and spectators watch from poolside seating during a lively swimming competition. Red lane dividers separate the lanes.

A child wearing goggles and a swim cap smiles while swimming with a pool noodle, guided by two adults during a swim lesson, building confidence for a future swimming competition.

A child in a blue swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles smiles while holding an orange pool noodle in a swimming pool, assisted by an adult wearing a swim cap—perhaps training for a future swimming competition. Another adult is in the background.

A child in swim goggles and a green cap smiles in a pool, supported by a swim noodle, next to an adult wearing a swim cap and goggles—both preparing near the edge for a fun swimming competition.

A group of children and adults wearing swim caps and goggles sit on a bench by an indoor swimming pool, watching a swimming competition attentively. Some children have towels draped over their shoulders. An adult stands nearby in swim trunks.

Emotions on the faces of the players

It was extremely gratifying to be able to capture the emotions on the faces of the athletes – from the concentration before the start, to the joy of a good result, to the fatigue after a hard effort. These were really touching moments, and I think these photos will be a nice souvenir for each participant.

Two young boys in swim caps and goggles stand poolside at a swimming competition, one smiling and pointing toward the water. Other swimmers and spectators are gathered in the background by the indoor pool.

Several swimmers in swim caps rest at the edge of an indoor pool, smiling and chatting near the lane dividers after a swimming competition, while others stand and swim in the background.

A group of swimmers in swim caps and towels sit poolside on benches during a swimming competition, with spectators watching behind a barrier. A sign on the wall reads "Zakaz Biegania." Swim lanes are visible in the water.

Two women wearing reindeer antler headbands and face masks look through a glass window at a festive display with snacks and decorations on a table, chatting about their recent swimming competition.

A swim coach wearing reindeer antlers and a whistle around his neck holds a stopwatch while leaning on a poolside bench during a swimming competition, with an orange traffic cone nearby and blurred swimmers in the background.

Children and adults in swimsuits sit poolside, some wearing swim caps and goggles, as they prepare for a swimming competition. A child in the foreground playfully holds up a purple pool noodle. The atmosphere appears fun and lively.

A young girl in swim gear and a pink swim cap smiles up at an adult man in swim trunks, holding his hands. They are at an indoor swimming pool, where swimmers prepare for a friendly swimming competition.

A swimmer wearing a black swim cap and goggles claps while standing at the edge of a swimming pool lane during a swimming competition. Another swimmer in a white cap and goggles is nearby in the adjacent lane.

A bearded man helps a young child adjust her swim goggles at an indoor pool, possibly preparing for a swimming competition. The child wears a pink swimsuit, swim cap, and holds a red pool noodle while the man sports a white shirt and green antennae headband.

A man in a white swim cap and shirt stands by the lane wall during a swimming competition, while other swimmers and coaches are visible in the background. The pool is decorated with tinsel and marked with lane numbers.

A swim coach wearing red reindeer antlers and a whistle stands by an indoor pool, timing swimmers during the swimming competition. Spectators and swimmers are visible in the background.

Three swimmers compete in a swimming competition, separated by lane lines, wearing swim caps and goggles. Water splashes as they race, with a podium and banners visible in the background.

A smiling man in a swim cap is clapping while standing in a swimming pool during a swimming competition. Other swimmers and pool equipment are visible in the background, creating a cheerful and lively atmosphere.

A young boy in swim gear and goggles sits on a bench at an indoor pool, cheering enthusiastically during a swimming competition. Other children and adults, some wrapped in towels, sit nearby, watching and waiting.

A smiling swimmer in a swim cap and goggles leans on the edge of a pool, giving two thumbs up after a swimming competition. Another person stands nearby, their lower body visible in the foreground.

Children wearing swim caps practice swimming in a pool, supervised by an instructor in a "Swimple" shirt. In the background, people sit and stand near the poolside, watching the lively scene reminiscent of a swimming competition.

A swim coach in shorts and a white shirt kneels at the poolside, timing and observing during a swimming competition as a swimmer in a blue cap and goggles approaches the wall in a swimming lane.

A man wearing a Santa hat, white shirt, and black shorts stands on a pool starting block at a swimming competition, holding a microphone and giving a thumbs-up. He is smiling, with a glass wall and people in the background.

A smiling man and a young boy in swimsuits stand together at a swimming competition. The boy, wearing a Santa hat and holding a cookie and medal, stands on the podium with a Swimple banner visible in the background.

Adults and children wearing swim caps and swimsuits enjoy a lively indoor pool, some splashing or using floats and foam boards. Others practice for a swimming competition, while people gather poolside to cheer them on.

Parents in the stands

There were also shots of parents cheering on their children from the stands. I managed to capture many touching moments when parents congratulated their kids on a good result or kept their fingers crossed for them during the start.

A group of swimmers, including children and adults in swim caps and goggles, sit on benches poolside during a swimming competition, clapping and watching an event. Some are wrapped in towels, with spectators seated behind them.

A young swimmer in a blue swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles sits on the edge of a pool with feet in the water, preparing for a swimming competition. A clipboard and water bottle rest on a table nearby as a wreath decorates the poolside.

A smiling swim coach in a Santa hat kneels by the pool, encouraging a young swimmer in a blue cap and black swimsuit before the swimming competition. Holiday decorations adorn the poolside, with people standing in the background.

Two young boys wearing swim caps and goggles stand side by side at an indoor pool, smiling as they look ahead, ready for the swimming competition. Other swimmers and poolside activity are visible in the blurred background.

Adults in swimwear smile and talk near an indoor swimming pool, while a young child in a swim cap and goggles, possibly preparing for a swimming competition, stands nearby partially wrapped in a towel. The atmosphere is cheerful and lively.

A man in a swim cap and goggles smiles and waves while standing in a swimming pool near the edge, celebrating after a swimming competition.

A swimmer wearing a blue swim cap and goggles practices in a pool, holding a blue kickboard with both hands near the pool’s edge, preparing for an upcoming swimming competition.

Three people are in a swimming pool lane. One person is at the edge watching a swimming competition, another uses a kickboard, and a third swims freestyle past them, creating splashes in the water.

A swim instructor in a blue cap reaches out to a child using a purple pool noodle in an indoor swimming pool, where banners and other people hint at an upcoming swimming competition.

Swimmers in a pool wearing festive hats rest at the lanes while two coaches in Santa hats cheer during a holiday-themed swimming competition. The pool deck is decorated with tinsel, adding to the festive atmosphere.

A young child wearing a white swim cap and red goggles sits in a swimming pool, hugging their knees near the pool edge, perhaps resting after a swimming competition. Festive decorations with gold and white tinsel are visible in the foreground.

A child in a pink patterned swimsuit and swim cap holds onto the edge of the pool next to lane number 2, decorated with colorful tinsel, during a swimming competition. Other people and pool equipment are visible in the background.

A swim instructor kneels at the edge of an indoor pool, encouraging a child in the water, as others prepare along the poolside, building excitement for an upcoming swimming competition.

A smiling man in swim goggles and cap stands at the edge of an indoor swimming pool, holding an orange foam pool noodle, ready to warm up for a swimming competition.

A smiling child wearing swim goggles and a swim cap with a cartoon fish design holds onto the pool edge, decorated with red tinsel and a festive ribbon, after a fun swimming competition in an indoor pool.

A swimmer in a black swimsuit and white cap is doing backstroke in a swimming competition, while another competitor watches from the pool edge. Water splashes in the air between them.

A young boy wearing swim goggles and a swim cap lies on his back on the tiled floor beside a swimming pool, looking exhausted or resting after a challenging swimming competition.

A swimmer competes in a swimming competition, doing freestyle in a marked lane as water splashes around them. Spectators and officials watch from the background near the edge of the pool.

A swimmer wearing a black swim cap and blue goggles is in a pool near the edge, checking his smartwatch during a swimming competition. Other people and swimming lanes are visible in the background.

Competition results

The results of the competition were very fierce and some competitions were decided on very small time differences, which only added to the excitement. All the competitors performed very well and deserved praise for their achievements.