IF YOU happened to watch the opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games on television, you might have seen Rob Aubry, who used to live at Bow, with the swimmers.

Rob is now one of the top people in this country working with swimmers with disabilities.

He learned to swim while at Bow Primary School, then went on to Landscore and then to Queen Elizabeth's Community College.

Always interested in water sport, he surfs whenever he can. Rob trained to be a lifeguard and worked at Okehampton Swimming Pool and with its Otters Swimming and Lifesaving Club.

From there he became a swimming coach at the West of England School and College for young people with little or no sight in Exeter.

He also did voluntary work, running swimming galas for people with disabilities in the South West at Okehampton pool, Crediton pool and at Tiverton.

In 2008 he was appointed regional skills development coach for disability swimming with the ASA South East Region, but remained based in Exeter.

He is now Swimming GB Development Coach (disability swimming), which means travelling all over this country and abroad. He holds occasional workshops for coaches of all categories of swimmers.

If you have sharp eyes, you might spot Rob on some of the Paralympic adverts on television, but don't blink or you'll miss him!

Rob is the son of Chris and Marion Aubry who are still based in Bow. His sister, Louisa, is married to Steve, they have two children and live in Kent.

Last year Rob married Laura, who is from Ottery St Mary, and they live in Exeter. Laura used to work at the WES.

Sue Read