Bude’s Archie Bunker Qualifies for 2026 Cornwall County Swimming Championships

Ten year old Archie Bunker, from Bude, has already built a sporting story that many adults would envy. After first getting in a pool at just three months old, he could swim widths by the age of four and earned his first national lifesaving medal when he was eight.

This summer he took third place in the National Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships in Weymouth. He has since moved into competitive swimming with Bude Sharks and has already qualified for the 2026 Cornwall County Swimming Championships.

A Packed Training Routine

Archie’s dad, Dean Bunker, said:
“Archie trains two nights a week with Bude Sharks, one evening a week with the Bude Surf Life Saving Club, spends most Saturday mornings in the Splash pool at Bude Leisure Centre, and does occasional park runs with his mum.”

Dean added that they make sure Archie gets the rest he needs.
“Sleep is very important for Archie to function, so we adjust the routine according to how he is feeling and regularly reinforce the message that winning isn’t everything. He genuinely loves his swimming though and always wants to be on the podium.”

Support from the GLL Sport Foundation

Archie is one of Cornwall’s GLL Sport Foundation athletes and receives free access to GLL swimming pools both locally and nationwide.

Dean said the support makes a real difference.
“Having GSF sponsorship makes a big difference financially as the costs of club membership and training quickly mount up. It gives us peace of mind to know we can take Archie to the leisure centre pool whenever we want to and that we can also access physio, mental health and sports science support something that is likely to become more important in the future.

“We’re very grateful for what GLL is doing for Archie through GSF and will definitely be applying for a 2026 award.”

Operating under the Better brand, GLL is the not for profit social enterprise that runs nine leisure centres in Cornwall on behalf of the council.

GSF in Cornwall

In 2025, 144 Cornwall based athletes received support from the GLL Sport Foundation worth £92,150. Of those athletes, 72% receive no other central funding, more than half are under 21, 27% are under 16 and 8% live with disabilities.

Applications for 2026 GSF awards open on 20th December. More details can be found at the GLL Sport Foundation website.