‘Since I’ve been walking, I’ve been swimming’.
In saying that, Elodie Riley captures nicely her long-term dedication to her sport, having started with Beau Sejour Swim School very young indeed, before becoming a competitive Barracuda at seven.
And it is in the last 13 months that she has stepped up to become a fully-fledged international competitor.
Riley made a real impression at the Malta Invitational Games last November, breaking the 60sec. barrier for the first time over 100m freestyle and coming back with U18 gold.
And while there might seem an air of misfortune in finishing fourth at Island Games level, as she did over both 800m and 1,500m at Orkney 2025 this summer, the fact is that she is already pushing the podium as a 17-year-old debutant.
She ultimately finished with three golds and a silver to her name, courtesy of her role as a member of Guernsey’s stacked relay squads.
So, quite a debut.
Her recent haul of five senior titles at the home Channel Islands Championships showed her continued drive, which makes her a ‘dream swimmer’ according to Barracudas head coach Sara Parfit.
‘Elodie is one of those amazing swimmers, because whatever you ask of her, she does it,’ she said.
‘You don’t have to be checking that she’s doing it – she will just get on with doing it.
‘She’s very, very coachable, and in addition to that she’s highly self-motivated.
‘Within the pool, with her school work, or whatever she does, she’s very highly motivated.
‘She’s a dream swimmer for a coach, and she’s a great role model who gets on with all the swimmers – whether they’re the older swimmers or the younger swimmers.
‘She’s just a great team member. She’s got a family that’s very supportive of what she does and what the Barracudas do as well, which we very much appreciate.’
Indeed, swimming has been very much a family affair for Riley.
She has been hot on the heels of sister Delphine, two years her senior, who shares her role as a quick and rangy freestyle swimmer. It was, in fact, Delphine who finished just ahead of her with 800m and 1,500m bronzes in Orkney.
‘We have quite a strong sibling rivalry, but also we’re very good sports with each other – whoever wins, we don’t really get upset about it,’ Elodie said.
‘And we each have our own strengths as well, so Delphine’s better at the distance than me, but I’m better at the shorter distance than her – at the moment.’
The younger Riley sister showed her speed at last month’s CI Championships, racing to a 27.33 winner over the 50m freestyle and 59.30 over double that distance. Both were personal bests and saw her win from decorated Island and Commonwealth Games swimmer Orla Rabey.
But she also won 400m, 800m and 1,500m, taking her sister’s senior championship record in the latter with 17-55.69.
She took great joy in telling her sister the fact, though it came as no shock to Delphine.
‘She told me the night before that she thought I was going to get it.’
Both sisters had taken to the pool early on thanks to their mother, Justine, being a keen swimmer of her own.
One of the first hurdles Elodie had to overcome was qualifying for the Barracudas.
‘I remember the trials and I was really worried that I wasn’t going to get in because my older sister was in, so I felt the pressure.
‘But when I got in, I was really happy.’
Before long came representative opportunities like the inter-insulars and Hampshire Championships, with the younger Riley being just nine when she first stepped out at the former.
She has developed into a rather capable swimmer across the range of freestyle events. And although swimming 1,500m in a pool is not everyone’s cup of tea, Riley enjoys the challenge.
‘Some people don’t really like swimming for a long time, but I just find it quite fun.
‘It’s nice to push yourself to keep swimming at a high pace over a longer distance. I find it more motivational to train towards the distance events because I find them harder than the sprints.’
She has even excelled in the open water, having this year completed a Rocquaine and Havelet Regatta double – beating the boys too.
‘It was definitely nice doing the open water stuff like that because obviously it’s a mixed-gender field.
‘It feels like more of an achievement when you win, when it’s male competitors as well.
‘It’s also nice to do something different to what’s in the pool.’
In the past, Riley has also made a splash in water polo, where she used to be part of England’s U15 national academy.
But, once dropped from the academy, she decided one sport was enough.
‘It’s hard to keep it going with swimming as well, so swimming came first.’
Last November’s Malta Invitational proved timely for Riley, providing that stepping stone to the Island Games that were to come.
‘That was my first international.
‘I wasn’t sure if I was going to get selected, because the qualification time was quite quick.
‘So when I did, I was very, very happy.’
Having just moved up into the U18s, she impressed in the rapid-fire series of finals, peaking in her golden and barrier-breaking 59.83 swim over 100m freestyle.
‘That was definitely the highlight for me.
‘In 50 free, sub-30 is good, but then once you’ve gone sub-30, it’s then really sub-60 in the 100 free that you want.
‘It can be quite difficult and takes quite a long time to get – so I was pleased when I got that.’
And now for the big one.
Immersing herself in the longer events at Orkney’s Pickaquoy Centre this summer, Riley produced her current PBs for both 800m (9-18.39) and 1,500m (17-51.14).
She did not mind too much the part about missing podium places by mere seconds to her own sister.
‘To get a medal, I would’ve had to beat her, so I was definitely happy with fourth places for my first Island Games.
‘Also to be part of the relay was really, really good.’
Although she did not get to swim a relay final, she still stood atop the podium and held a physical Games medal.
Swimming in the 4x100m medley heats – before Team Guernsey struck gold in the final – ensured that.
‘Because I’d qualified in the heats, I also got a medal, which was really nice and it was also the first year that the heat medallists went on the podium.’
Indeed, coach Parfit was pleased to see the heat swimmers getting the recognition she has long believed they deserved.
‘We’d been pushing for that for some time actually, because they’re such a big part of actually getting the team to a final.
‘So we really wanted those people who had got them there to be on the podium as well. That was really nice this year and I think all the teams appreciated that.’
Silverware or not, the experience alone was one to be treasured, with Riley describing it as ‘really amazing’.
‘At the Island Games, the competition is so good, but we’re also in the running because it’s all the other island nations that are similar abilities to us.’
Delphine made a big improvement between Guernsey 2023 and Orkney 2025 to get into the medal zone.
Looking ahead, Elodie is hoping she can reflect that in her own swimming.
‘In a few years’ time, hopefully I’ll progress. I’d like to eventually get under 9min. for the 800 free.
‘That’s a goal that I’ve set myself. Not sure how long it will take.’
Now performing strongly even after some off-season downtime, she has a hunger for the next big Games to take place in Scotland.
She has filed an intent to compete for Glasgow 2026, in case she makes it.
‘If it comes to it, I would definitely jump at the chance to go, I really want to.
‘There is still just lots of competition with the older swimmers, who are slightly stronger than me, though.
‘I’m not sure if I’ll make it, but hopefully for the next one.’
Her next opportunity after Glasgow 2026, it has now been confirmed, will be at Amdavad 2030.
‘One of my main goals is definitely Commonwealth Games for Guernsey.
‘I’m not sure when that would be, but I would like to continue until I make that.
‘I would also like to get an individual medal at the Island Games in the future.’
