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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Swimming for fitness age restriction

16 replies

J007 · 17/07/2023 16:36

Hey, new here and first post! I am a man BTW but, thought there wouldn't be a better place to share experiences on this subject with fellow parents!

My daughter is 10 and has been swimming since birth(she was born in the birthing pool ;)

She is a very competent swimmer - she can do 1000m fairly easily and turn off the wall(I can't). She still has lessons once a week but, has really outgrown those. For the past year or so we had been going to lane swimming without being queried.. She swims better than the majority of adults and we always go in the slow lane. However, we got told that the policy has now changed and she must be over 16 years old to join the swim for fitness. :( This is something we used to enjoy together and there doesn't seem to be any other options in the area(Swindon).

I have checked a dozen swimming pools and none cater for this age range beyond 4pm or at weekends. All the swimming pools are owned by Better and they all have the same type of timetable! I just think it's crazy that we can't find somewhere to swim midweek together between 5-7pm. This was great for her fitness and enjoyed more freedom of it not being a lesson.

I did ask her if she wanted to join a club but, she is against that idea. Is anyone else in the same position? It's such a shame that we can only go swimming at the weekend but, this is when the pool is crowded and it is harder to get some proper swimming in! I guess other than that I should be pushing her into the club route.

Sorry about the venting!

OP posts:
Madcats · 19/07/2023 10:34

That is really odd (I wasn't sure whether the Link Centre was "Better" so googled and can see they stipulate kids must be 11-17 to lane swim). I wonder if there has been some trouble with kids in one of the pools.

I've just looked at our "Better" pool in Bath and the timetable seems to suggest anybody can lane swim. DD is clearly looks a bit older (and a club swimmer) but she was been able to lane swim at the (Better) Olympic pool up in London a couple of months ago too. When she was much smaller I would often take her lane swimming and explain to the lifeguard that she could swim (and they would shift the lane hoggers for her).

I don't know much about Swindon's swim clubs (though sometimes encounter Tigersharks), but I would have thought there would be a suitable squad that focuses on fun and fitness. We've certainly found it really helpful to have groups of friends outside of school, particularly in year 7/8 when some of the friendships can get 'interesting' for young girls. It is great for building up stamina for athletics/cross country.

User6424678852 · 19/07/2023 10:36

It’s a common problem with pool timetables - not being able to find any type of session that matches the swimming you want to do at a time you are able to do it.

PuttingDownRoots · 19/07/2023 10:37

Its the same around here... children can only go to Family or Open swim times. Which ate either in school time or in a Sunday at 11pm...

Most of the time the pool is used by swimming lessons or the swimming club... so both adults and children aren't happy really!

Notanotherhousepost · 19/07/2023 10:40

My local pool only ever had lane swimming 6am-8am and 2000-2100 during the week and not at weekends.

So if you were an adult who wanted a decent swim you either had to get up at the crack of dawn or mess up your evenings.

God ford they put lane swimming on from 5pm-7pm when people are finishing work and can easily make it. No, that's when they put kids swimming on!

Original poster
J007 · 19/07/2023 18:52

Madcats · 19/07/2023 10:34

That is really odd (I wasn't sure whether the Link Centre was "Better" so googled and can see they stipulate kids must be 11-17 to lane swim). I wonder if there has been some trouble with kids in one of the pools.

I've just looked at our "Better" pool in Bath and the timetable seems to suggest anybody can lane swim. DD is clearly looks a bit older (and a club swimmer) but she was been able to lane swim at the (Better) Olympic pool up in London a couple of months ago too. When she was much smaller I would often take her lane swimming and explain to the lifeguard that she could swim (and they would shift the lane hoggers for her).

I don't know much about Swindon's swim clubs (though sometimes encounter Tigersharks), but I would have thought there would be a suitable squad that focuses on fun and fitness. We've certainly found it really helpful to have groups of friends outside of school, particularly in year 7/8 when some of the friendships can get 'interesting' for young girls. It is great for building up stamina for athletics/cross country.

It was the link centre that we go to. They said 16 was the age they could lane swim. They said they could join in with the swim for all, fun or lesson sessions.

I have since explored the site too and it is a bit vague. It says that 11-17 year olds have access to any better pools. I couldn't find the specifics on lane swimming but, I see that someone mentions 11-17 can lane swim but unfortunately she is only 10. I will quiz them again.. She's adamant she doesn't want to do a club, I think she's been put off by a couple of friends at school.

OP posts:
Original poster
J007 · 19/07/2023 18:54

Notanotherhousepost · 19/07/2023 10:40

My local pool only ever had lane swimming 6am-8am and 2000-2100 during the week and not at weekends.

So if you were an adult who wanted a decent swim you either had to get up at the crack of dawn or mess up your evenings.

God ford they put lane swimming on from 5pm-7pm when people are finishing work and can easily make it. No, that's when they put kids swimming on!

In Swindon there is only kids swimming up until 4pm.. lane swimming is from 5 onwards. I understand your argument but, adults can also make it between 7-10 when kids can't..

OP posts:
Silkierabbit · 19/07/2023 18:57

Not sure what there is in Swindon area but around here David Lloyd would let you swim together but is pricey, Holiday Inn would also allow it and cheaper as long as it is swimming up and down which sounds like it is. There's also lidos this time of year though weather dependent.

Hellocatshome · 19/07/2023 18:58

Would she join a club in a non competitive squad if thats what is putting her off?

Silkierabbit · 19/07/2023 19:06

There seems to be a Holiday Inn one in Swindon, doesn't say cost but ones I've seen vary between £27 a month to £59 a month for adults and around £20 a month for kids.

https://youfitclubs.co.uk/club/swindon/

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 19/07/2023 19:14

Do you get any kind of concession on gyms with a pool through work or any other schemes (bank, insurance etc) I have vitality health insurance through work so get a 50% discount on Nuffield gyms on their 30 day rolling contract so not tied into a year long membership and it's £34 adult membership, £50 a month with DD added. It works out onto a couple of £ more expensive than the council leisure centre swimming membership.

calishire · 19/07/2023 20:29

Do you have a Nuffield?

gogomoto · 19/07/2023 20:42

Lane swimming here is 2 hours per day and adults only, everything else is open but they keep one lane in all the time except fun sessions on the weekend. They didn't use to enforce it but kids were messing around last summer and there's enough adults to fill it to capacity

Original poster
J007 · 19/07/2023 21:40

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to check out Nuffield and the holiday Inn.

I work for a corporate and they recently sent out an email about corporate rates for Nuffield health assessments so they may well have some corporate rates for signing up with them. They look ideal as long as they allow children.

OP posts:
Pianotwister · 30/07/2023 20:07

Better are really not great. My children have the same issue. It drives me crazy. Then they also completely take over the pool with lessons at other times. So key times such as Friday evening or all of Sunday afternoon are just never available and don't get me started on trying to book times and/ or their low standards of cleaning!

Walkingtheplank · 30/07/2023 20:30

I would recommend Nuffield if you have access. In my experience (elsewhere) they have at least one lane available except when aqua-exercise classes are on.

There are no bells and whistles but reasonably priced especially with a corporate saving.

exexpat · 30/07/2023 20:45

Not all Nuffields allow children (mine doesn't). David Lloyd is always family-friendly, but can be expensive.

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