Changes To Our Swimming Admissions Policy
As part of our commitment to the safety of our customers, we regularly review our operations to ensure that we provide a safe environment for you to enjoy your activities.
As part of our on-going commitment for your safety, from the 1st February 2024 we are making some changes to our swimming admission policy, as follows:
- To enter our swimming pools unaccompanied, children need to be at least 10 years old.
- All children aged 9 and under need to be ‘actively accompanied’ in the water.
- ‘Actively accompanied’ means always keeping children within your line of sight and within arm’s reach whilst in the swimming pool.
Our child supervision ratios vary across each session and venue. Please see full details of our child swimming ratios here.
We appreciate you may have questions regarding changes to our policy. The answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) are below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the reason for increasing the unaccompanied swimming age to 10 years old?
A. The decision to raise the unaccompanied swimming age to 10 years old follows several instances in which young swimmers were left susceptible in the pool due to being unsupervised. The change reflects our dedication to enhance child safety in our swimming facilities and provide a more secure environment for young swimmers to enjoy their time in the water.
Q. Do I need to accompany my child in the water or do I just have to be in the venue?
A. All children aged 9 and under need to be actively accompanied in the water. Our child supervision ratios vary across each session and venue. Please see full details of our child swimming ratios here.
Q. What does ‘actively accompanying children in the swimming pool’ mean?
A. "Actively accompanying" means keeping children within your line of sight and within arm's reach at all times whilst in the swimming pool.
Q. Who is permitted to accompany children in the swimming pool?
A. To accompany children in the swimming pool, guardians must be at least 16 years old and physically capable of providing support to the child in the water. Children and their guardians should avoid using swimming features and pool depths that exceed their abilities.
Q. My child knows how to swim, why is it necessary to have a guardian with them in the water until they are 10 years old?
A. We require a guardian to accompany children aged 9 and under in the water, even if they know how to swim, because swimming in a controlled environment like lessons is different from leisure swimming. In a controlled setting, there are instructors and specific safety measures in place to ensure your child's well-being. In a leisure swim, the environment may have more variables and potential risks, so having a guardian present helps maintain a higher level of safety and supervision to keep your child secure while enjoying their time in the water.
Q. Why do children aged 3 and under need to wear floatation aids in the water?
A. Children aged 3 and under need to wear floatation aids, even if they know how to swim, primarily for their safety. At this age, toddlers and infants are still developing motor skills and coordination, making them vulnerable to accidents in water. Leisure swimming sessions offer many variables and potential risks in comparison to controlled swimming lesson environments, so the use of floatation aids provides a precautionary measure to enhance water safety as well as providing peace of mind as children enjoy their time in the water.
Q. What will happen if I attend with the incorrect ratios?
A. If you attend the venue for your swim with the incorrect ratios for your chosen session then you will not be allowed entry to the pool. As per our booking terms and conditions, we are unable to offer any refunds for sessions booked with the incorrect ratio or transfer your booking to a different day.
Q. Why does my child need to wear a wristband in the leisure pool?
A. All swimmers are required to wear a wristband in the pool to allow our lifeguards to identify the age of a child as well as what session the swimmer is due to be attending. Children under the age of 4 are encouraged to wear a wristband but it isn’t mandatory. Children aged 4 - 9 must wear the required multi-coloured wristband at all times during their session. All swimmers aged 10 and over will be issued with a coloured band that matches the session that they are attending.