Swimming

Swimming

What is it? 

Swimming is the practice of moving oneself through water in various manners - it is one of the public's most popular recreational sports, and is often included in compulsory education in schools, particularly for Primary age students.

What does it involve?

The basics of swimming involve learning the various established styles of stroke used to move through the water, coordinating all the body parts to work together for the most efficient movement. Once an individual is confident in the water there are a number of sporting activities that involve swimming, and many people find it relaxing to swim in their spare time. 

Why do it and what are the benefits?

The physical benefits of swimming are well documented - it exercises the majority of the body and can help with posture and stress levels as well as being a lot of fun. Swimming is also fairly instinctual for humans, so it's easy to pick up once you've mastered the basics, and is a great life skill. 

What equipment do we need?

Swimwear is a must for every participant, as well as towels and toiletries for showering and drying off after the event. Hats are often compulsory in pools while conditions such as veruccas can render a student unable to participate.

Who is it suitable for?

Students of any age can go swimming, but be aware of the varying levels of skill you are likely to find in a group - not everyone will necessarily have the same experience, and will therefore need different teaching.

Costs?

Costs of entry to swimming pools and booking lessons will vary between establishments. General admission is normally under £5 for a reasonable size pool, but make sure to check out the varying prices in your area to get the best deal for a group!

Issues/Things to think about?

Beginner swimmers (especially young children) should never be left unsupervised while swimming as you can quickly lose control in the water when inexperienced. Pools should have trained lifeguards on duty at all times in case of emergency.

How do we include?

Physically disabled individuals can swim reasonably easily assisted by various buoyancy aids, and other types of disabilties are also often catered for - swimming is a reasonably good activity to include everybody in if you choose a venue with the right set up for the needs of your group. 

Doing it abroad?

Swimming is popular all over the world, and its extremely unlikely you will find a destination without a place to swim nearby. Countries with warmer climates also tend to have pools as part of accommodation, so if you are visiting such a place you may not have to go far to access a swimming pool at all. It is well worth ensuring you are happy with safety equipment supporting your activity, plus checking the amount of supervision and level of expertise of the staff on duty. Knowing emergency procedures and where life-saving equipment is located is also a very good idea and can save vital seconds in the case of an emergency.

Main website:

Visit the Amateur Swimming Association - http://www.swimming.org for some great general information and to find out more about the School Swimming Charter - but always consult a venue's individual website for the venue or provider's specifications.

Venues with this Activity

The company is led by Steve Poulton who has been working full time in the outdoor leisure sector since 1989 and originally sowed the seeds that led to ACTIVITIES AWAY back in 1991.

The spectacular 25 metres by 25 metres swimming pool has a moveable floor to adjust the water level so various activities can take place at any one time. There's a tiered spectators seating area with 250 seats providing excellent viewing of the entire pool area. There’s also a 13 metres by 7 metres teaching pool for swimming lessons plus parent and baby sessions.

Parklands Leisure Centre, in Oadby is sandwiched between two local parks.  The centre is currently undergoing a significant refurbishment programme to the existing centre.

The new 115 station gym will feature a range state of the art equipment as well as a free weights area and dedicated stretching area.

Wigston Pool and Fitness centre in Wigston, Leicestershire, is currently closed for a major refurbishment.  The new centre will feature a 60 station gym with a mixture of the latest cardio vascular equipment, resistance machines, free weights and a stretching area.  

A previous winner of Leisure Centre of the Year, Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Stowmarket offers an incredible range of facilities. From a fantastic climbing centre to two group exercise studios and an indoor children’s 'Playworld', there is something for everyone.

Northcroft Leisure Centre and Lido offers a 25m swimming pool with teaching pool and in summer a 75m outdoor pool and an outdoor teaching pool

There is also a 63 station gym, Group fitness studio, 6 court sports hall, sauna, and 2 squash courts. Plus a great multi level adventure soft play area for the younger ones.

Whether you want to swim, work out in our gym or take one of our sports workout classes, we've got everything on offer at Stourport Sports Centre.

Classes

Aquatic Fitness and Aqua Zumba, Studio Classes, Trampolining

​Plus Tumble Fun for Under 5s

Children

Guisborough Swim & Fitness Centre in Cleveland provides the local people with a place to keep active. The leisure centre offers a 25m swimming pool, group exercise classes and, thanks to an investment by Everyone Active, a 45 station gym.

Features a main pool, learner pool and outdoor lido, with swimming and diving lessons available.

Redevelopment works have now begun at Park Road Leisure Centre which will provide modern and spacious facilities at the heart of our community. 

Once complete, the new facility will benefit from a new gym, spacious studios and improved changing and spa facilities.

25 metre pool - Beach pool with water features - including jacuzzi - Flume - Teaching pool - Gym - Creche - Cravings Cafe - Learn to be a Lifeguard

Set on the High Street in Acton, close to Acton Central station, Everyone Active Acton Centre is a brand new facility that boasts a 100 station gym featuring the very latest in both cardio and strength equipment.

Situated in the stunning grounds of Bedford Park, boasting the main competition pool, the diving pool with varying high boards and a beginners' teaching pool.

Robinson Pool is Bedfordshire’s premier swimming facility; home to Bedford’s largest pool, and is situated in the stunning grounds of Bedford Park.

This modern, recently refurbished and well maintained leisure facility is one of Bristol best kept secrets! With great facilities and fantastic activities for all ages and abilities Henbury Leisure Centre really does cater for everyone. The centre boasts two swimming pools, a fully equipped and modern fitness suite, a spacious exercise studio and a large sports hall.

Full Olympic size outdoor pool with scenic surrounds and other features inside for much older types. Swimming lessons and summer holiday activity days on offer too. Lido open even in winter!

Known locally as Brixton’s Beach, Brockwell Lido is nestled in the corner of beautiful Brockwell Park: a much loved local greenspace for nearly 80 years.

Facilities include: a state of the art gym, dance studio, main pool, teaching/toddler pool, turkish hot rooms, sauna, steam room and table tennis.

Our family sessions are fun packed with waves, flume rides, inflatables, floats and music. For the parent and toddler sessions we have baby waves and pool toys for a fun toddler friendly swim.

Set in the heart of Pingles Leisure Park, Pingles Leisure Centre in Nuneaton offers a wide range of activities to suit all ages and abilities. The centre offers three swimming pools and outdoor water, a newly refurbished 80 station gym, a group exercise studio, tennis courts and a crèche.

In the south of Warwickshire sits the town of Shipston-on-Stour which is home to Shipston Leisure Centre which is home to both a swimming pool and a gym.

At Shipston Leisure Centre there is always something happening in the water whether it’s the ASA accredited Swim School swimming lessons or aqua aerobics – there is a swim based activity for everyone.

Set in the market town of Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire, Tenbury Swimming Pool serves a local population of around 3500.

Comprising an ice rink, a 25 metre, deck level, pool, climbing facility, 5-a-side outdoor football pitches with floodlighting and a state of the art gym.

The striking modern structure of the Link Centre houses an ice rink (recognised as a centre of excellence for both figure skating and ice hockey), with penguin skating aids available for kids.

Weymouth Pool & Fitness Centre is set in the beautiful seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset. The centre offers both local community and visitors to Weymouth a range of activities including a gym featuring the latest fitness equipment, two swimming pools, group exercise studio and a private function room.

In the heart of Redcar in Cleveland is Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart. Offering local people a variety of ways to stay active Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart houses a state of the art gym, a multi-use sports hall, group exercise classes, Flowrider, swimming pool and water confidence pool.

Everyone Active Leisure Centre: Poole can be found in Poole town centre in the beautiful county of Dorset.

The leisure centre offers a large modern gym, group exercise studios and two swimming pools and a diving pit.

Set in the small market town of Southam, Warwickshire, Southam Leisure Centre offers a wide range of sport and activity.

Set on the edge of Hartham Common in Hertfordshire, Hartham Leisure Centre offers the local community a range of indoor and outdoor facilities.

Outside there are a variety of outdoor sports available and a pavilion with changing facility as well as a six rink bowls facility. Inside you will find a gym, group exercise studio and swimming pool.

Pages

Login/Sign Up

Latest News

British schoolgirl assaulted on school trip to Iceland

hotel corridor

A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.

Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was slapped and chased by a tour guide in a hotel corridor.

The schoolgirl, 13, who attended Harris Girls’ Academy, was assaulted whilst on a school trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. The incident occurred at Hotel Örk, Hveragerdi on 13th October.