It all began when construction of Ryde Council’s Aquatic Centre was completed in December 1961 and officially opened in January 1962.

At the time, Forbes and Ursula Carlile were coaching at the Drummoyne Olympic Pool and awarded the professional coaching rights at Ryde, and the Ryde Club was formed. 

The original complex had a 55 yard pool, a diving pool, learn to swim pool and a 25 yard pool.  After some significant urging from Forbes and Ursula, the Club’s president and Mayor of Ryde at the time, Harry Anderson, was successful with Council in enlarging the swimming area; the 25 yard pool became a 55 yard “T pool”.

The 1960s and 70s saw great success for Ryde swimmers with some 6 world record holders including Karen Moras, Shane Gould and Jenny Turrell who were also Olympic and World championship medal winners. Ryde swimmers trained in the summer at Ryde and at Pymble indoor pool (25m) in the winter.

 Because the Ryde complex was then outdoors and unheated,  during 1977-’81 Forbes and Ursula coached at the indoor heated Narrabeen Sport and Recreation Pool where the Carlile Swimming Club was formed.

In 1982, Ryde Council expanded the complex further with an indoor 25m pool next to the T pool.  At this time, Ryde Club welcomed the return of Ursula as Head Coach which she continued to do until the complex was completely demolished in 1999.

The new indoor Ryde Aquatic Centre was opened early in 2000 in readiness for the 2000 Olympics Water Polo events.

In 2006 the Ryde Club changed its name to Ryde-Carlile in recognition of the support provided by Ursula & Forbes Carlile through their Swim centres.