Justen Bersin-Taylor, a solicitor who lost full use of three limbs following a road collision has completed a 10km swim challenge – while simultaneously launching state-of-the-art accessibility technology at the London Aquatics Centre.
Justen, a keen adventure sports enthusiast, finished the final leg of his month-long swimming challenge on Thursday 30 January, raising more than £2,000 for the charity Access Adventures.
On the same day, he became the first person to use the new Poolpod 3.0, a submersible platform lift designed to improve pool access for people with limited mobility.
Everyone Active, which manages the London Aquatics Centre in partnership with London Legacy Development Corporation, has installed Poolpod 3.0, marking a significant milestone for accessibility at the venue, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
For the first time in the site’s history, the diving pool is now accessible via a Poolpod, further expanding inclusive swimming opportunities.
Justen, who lives in East London, took on his swim challenge throughout January, completing the first nine kilometres in incremental sessions before finishing the final kilometre on 30 January. He undertook the challenge to support Access Adventures, a charity that ensures people with disabilities can experience the transformative benefits of adaptive adventure sports.
Reflecting on his achievement, he said: “It seems like a pretty simple feat until you realise I only have one fully functioning limb to pull the rest of me through the water.
“Before my injury, I was an active individual who enjoyed a wide range of sports, including waterskiing, sailing and diving all over the world.
“Following my injury, my goal has been to do as much as I can to get back to what I used to do. I know it won’t be easy and I might have to figure out some adaptations, but I believe, with the right support, there’s always a way to do it.”
Speaking about the Poolpod, Justen said: “The Poolpod 3.0 is a great device that makes the pools at the London Aquatic Centre truly accessible. The Poolpod 3.0 has advantages over the 2.0 including that it can be user operated which enhances the ability for disabled swimmers to utilise independence, something we all cherish.
“I’ve been using the Poolpods since I started swimming at the London Aquatics Centre in January 2024. It is the most recognised accessible pool in the UK and it reflects well on Everyone Active that they are continuing investment in accessibility!”
Chris Wells, Everyone Active Contract Manager at the London Aquatics Centre, said:
“Justen’s story is a testament to his incredible resilience and drive. His achievements highlight what is possible with determination and the right support. We are proud that he was the first to use the new Poolpod 3.0 as part of his challenge.
“The introduction of this upgraded technology is a major step forward for accessibility at our venue. It ensures that more people than ever can enjoy the benefits of swimming, whether for fitness, rehabilitation, or simply the joy of being in the water. We hope Justen’s journey encourages others to explore the opportunities available through adaptive sports.”
Justen’s rehab journey extends beyond swimming at the Aquatics Centre. He also incorporates regular gym sessions into his routine, as well as adaptive scuba diving run by Ocean Turtle Diving at the site.
Already a qualified PADI Divemaster, Justen worked with Ocean Turtle Diving to identify the adaptations needed for him to get back into scuba diving following his injury and uses a single-handed Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) to move around in the water.
OTD Course Director Kerrie Eade said: “The mental health advantages of scuba diving are well documented and it’s often those with adaptive requirements who gain the most from the freedom and exhilaration it provides. Scuba diving is enormous fun and offers incredible freedom, unlimited by gravity and the constraints of the above-water world.”
Visit Justen’s JustGiving page here