Hafnarfjörður Swimming Club celebrated its eightieth anniversary.
There was a large turnout at the 80th anniversary of the Hafnarfjörður Swimming Club. Dozens of members received its honour medal. A large number also attended an exhibition, which is running until the following weekend.
The story is lifted at the 80th anniversary
Several people were honoured at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Hafnarfjörður Swimming Club, held a day before its anniversary on 19 June. All were individuals who received the award for their contribution to the club. They now wear gold and silver badges on their lapels.
Not only was the foyer of Ásvallarlaug packed for this anniversary celebration, but many people also viewed the society's excellent exhibition in a room on the upper floor. The exhibition is open until after next weekend. On display are trophies, photographs and other memorabilia from the society's long history.
„There are not many events that bring one as much joy as when we get to celebrate good people who have done invaluable work for the community, and today is precisely such a day,“ said Mayor Valdimar Víðisson on the occasion. The swimming club had been a mainstay of the town's sporting life and a reliable and strong partner for the town.
„The collaboration in the construction of this pool has been exemplary, and even today, 17 years after its opening, it is considered by many to be the best competition pool in the country, and the facilities for the club and the general public are absolutely exemplary.
We are now working together to develop the area around the swimming pool so that it can be used by both the general public and SH members, as we want it to remain clear that our swimmers have a second home here.
The success of the Swimming Club speaks for itself. Over the past few decades, SH has been one of the most successful clubs in the country. It has won almost every award available in Iceland – and then there is this unique fact: SH has had a competitor in eight last “The Olympic Games. That says it all," he said.
Special recognition |
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| David Jonathanarson | Silver | Swimmer – coach – staff member |
| Bronze awards | ||
| Adalsteinn Hrafnkelsson | Bronze | Director of swimming facilities in Hafnarfjörður and a good working relationship with the club. |
| Bergþór Jóhannson | Bronze | An experienced swimmer, a veteran and a strong supporter of the club (TRI / Hagtak) |
| Elín Ósk Sigurðardóttir | Bronze | for work in the SH Parents' Association and as a tour leader for the association |
| Gudmundur Stefán Björnsson | Bronze | for work in the SH Parents' Association, refereeing and technical management at competitions. |
| Guðrún Magnea Gunnarsdóttir | Bronze | for work in the SH Parents' Association and as a tour leader for the association |
| Helena Dögg Olgeirsdóttir | Bronze | for work in the SH Parents' Association and as a tour leader for the association |
| Hildur Dröfn Þórðardóttir | Bronze | for work in the SH Parents' Association and as a tour leader for the association |
| Olafur Halfdánarson | Bronze | for work in the SH Parents' Association and as a tour leader for the association |
| Sigthor Marteinsson | Bronze | The club's head chef, responsible for ensuring that swimmers and others are well-fed at competitions. |
| Sólveig Hlín Sigurðardóttir | Bronze | former swimmer and coach and for work in parenting |
| Sveinn Sigurbergsson | Bronze | for their great support of the club. |
| Unnur Elfa Guðmundsdóttir | Bronze | for being a head rowing coach and a great brunch master |
| Andrea Helga Sigurardottir | Bronze | for board service and other work for the benefit of the association |
| Bjarney Ó. Gunnarsdóttir | Bronze | for board service and other work for the benefit of the association |
| Bragi Thorsteinsson | Bronze | former swimmer and board member |
| Einar Thor Sigurjonsson | Bronze | for board service, technical roles at swimming competitions and other work for the benefit of the club |
| Fríða Kristín Jóhannesdóttir | Bronze | for former swimmer and for board service and other work for the benefit of the club |
| Gylfi Örn Gylfason | Bronze | for board service and work in 3SH |
| Halfdan Thorsteinsson | Bronze | for board service and other work for the benefit of the association |
| Jón Viðar Magnússon | Bronze | for service in office, judicial work and other work for the benefit of the association |
| Pálmey Magnúsdóttir | Bronze | For her work with parents, serving on the board, and everything else she does, she's a real trouble-shooter (we couldn't manage without her). |
| Ragna Lilja Garðarsdóttir | Bronze | for board service and other work for the benefit of the association |
| Sigrún Gunnarsdóttir | Bronze | for board service and other work for the benefit of the association |
| Svanhildur „Asta“ Kristjánsdóttir | Bronze | for board service and other work for the benefit of the association |
| Valgerður Jóna Guðjónsdóttir | Bronze | for board service and other work for the benefit of the association |
Silver Award |
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| Adalbjörg Óladóttir | Silver | for board service, ÍBH board, divisional board, announcer and other work for the association |
| Erla Björg Garðarsdóttir | Silver | for board service, other work for the benefit of the association and support for the association |
| Harpa Þrastardóttir | Silver | Former swimmer, coach and supporter of the club by directing young children to the club. |
| Kristín Garðarsdóttir | Silver | for board service, other work for the benefit of the association and support for the association |
| Mladen Tepavcecvic | Silver | Former swimmer, coach and supporter of the club. |
| Stefán Kristófersson | Silver | for service on the board and as chief umpire for the association. |
| Thomas Gísli Guðjónsson | Silver | for board service, work as a judge and other work for the association |
| Aron Örn Stefánsson | Silver | Former swimmer and World Championship competitor |
| Dadó Fenrir Jasminuson | Silver | Former swimmer, World Championship competitor and club coach |
| Ingibjörg Kristín Jónsdóttir | Silver | HM are leaving; proposal 2015 and cannot get to collect |
| Björn Sigurðsson | Silver | For serving on the board of the SSÍ on behalf of the association and other work for the association's benefit. |
| Gísli Johnsen | Silver | Former swimming parent and auditor of accounts for many years |
| Kristján Guðnason | Silver | Former swimmer and supporter of the club |
| Ragnheiður Birna Björnsdóttir | Silver | Umpire-in-chief, responsible for the society's umpiring affairs for several years. |
Gold recognition |
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| Erlingur Kristensson | Gold | for the registration and management of the society's history. |
| Kári Kaaber | Gold | Swimming, Garpu, Chief Referee and Refereeing Affairs |
| Kristinn Magnússon | Gold | former swimmer, a stalwart, and for his great support of the club. |
| Sigurður Óli Guðmundsson | Gold | Chief umpire and manager of the club's umpiring for many years. |
| Bergur Helgason | Gold | Chairman 1986-89 |
| Magnús B. Magnússon | Gold | Chairman 1982 – 1986 |
| Karl Georg Klein | Gold | Chairman 2014 – |
| Anton Sveinn McKee | Gold | Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympian, and a glorious swimming career…… |
| Arnthor Ragnarsson | Gold | 1988 Seoul Olympian – former SH coach |
| Hjalti Guðmundsson | Gold | Sydney 2000 Olympian, former coach of SH |
| Hrafnhildur Lúthersdóttir | Gold | London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympian and an illustrious swimming career…… |
| Kolbrún Alda Stefánsdóttir | Gold | Paralympic London 2012 |
| Lára Hrund Bjargardóttir | Gold | Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympian |
| Lilja María Snorradóttir | Gold | Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games with 5 medals (4 bronze and one silver) |
| Olafur Eiriksson | Gold | Paralympic Atlanta 1996 with two bronzes and one gold |
The association was founded in 1945
As stated on the Sundfélag Hafnarfjarðar website, it was founded on 19 June 1945. The founding meeting was held at Sjálfstæðishúsið. It was well attended and there was great enthusiasm among the attendees. Guðjón Sigurjónsson, a physical education teacher, was the club's first coach. It flourished until 1947, but its activities then died down until it was revived when the Hafnarfjörður Swimming Pool opened on 13 June 1953.
- Sigrún Sigurðardóttir was the first member of the club to set an Icelandic record in the 400 and 500 metre breaststroke in 1959, at the age of 15.
- The first man to set a national record was Árni Þór Kristjánsson in the 500-metre breaststroke in 1961.
- Vilborg Sverrisdóttir, a multiple Icelandic champion, became the first member of SH to compete in the Olympic Games, taking part in the 1976 Games in Montreal.
Valdimar wished SH a happy anniversary with these words: „We sincerely wish SH a happy 80th anniversary and thank them for all the work, success and joy the association has brought to our town for eight decades. We look forward to continuing to work together, supporting the activities and seeing even more children and young people flourish in the sport of swimming.“
Hafnarfjörður Municipality warmly congratulates the swimming club on its 80th anniversary.