Swimming Admission Policy

Children under 4 years (O-3yrs) must be accompanied by an adult in the pool on a 1:1 ratio

Children aged 4-7yrs must be accompanied on a 1:2 ratio. An adult being over 16 years of age.

Children will be considered competent once they have achieved the ASA Swimming Pool Standard Award or have reached ASA stage 5 of the National Teaching Plan, and can be excluded from the ratios.

Accompanying adults must not leave children under the age of 8 unattended or beyond eye contact.

If your family does not meet the minimum ratios, bring a 3rd adult free of charge or come to our 'Safe Family Swim' sessions where there will be extra lifeguards on duty.

Two Superb Pools

25m Swimming Pool with 6 lanes - 29 degrees

Depth -0.9 m - 3.5m

Tropical Fun Pool with water cannon, tipper, slides, erupting volcano, flumes, spitting snakes & large snake floatie.

Fun pool temperature is 30.5 degrees

Depth 0.6m to 1.2m

Minimum of two qualified pool lifeguards at all times

Timetables

Swimming Admission Policy:

Children must be accompanied in the water and at all times by a responsible adult of at least 16 years on the following ratios:
0-3 years: 1 child to 1 adult
4-7 years: 2 children to 1 adult
Stay in close contact with under 8's at all times

If your family does not meet the minimum ratios, bring a 3rd adult free of charge

Select the appropriate date:

For safety reasons we are unable to

allow early access to the changing rooms & pools,

therefore tickets sales will begin

at the advertised opening times as per the timetables below.

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25m Pool - Term Time

Term dates: 13th April to 24th May 2013 (see holiday opening hours for Bank Holiday 6th May 2013)

See below for holiday timetable

Please note that during some public swims up to 2 lanes may be hired out to organisations or used for staff training.

Please check the Swimming Admission policy at the bottom of the page

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25m Pool - School Holidays

Please note that during some public swims up to 2 lanes may be hired out to organisations or used for staff training.

Half Term: 25th May to 31st May 2013 (also includes Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2013)

Please check the Swimming Admission policy at the bottom of the page

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Swimming Charges - from 1st April 2013

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Swimming Lessons

In 2004 Waterworld became the first facility in the South West to achieve the ASA 'Aquamark' premier award and now hold the status of "ASA Premier Scheme for Teaching and Coaching of Swimming". This means that we are monitored by the ASA to ensure we maintain the highest standards of tuition and customer services.

Suitable for all ages and abilities from Babies to Grannies, our courses follow the ASA National Plan for teaching swimming. We currently have approx 400 children and adults on our learn to swim programme, including classes (partially funded by the NOF) for children with special needs.

We have an excellent team of professional ASA qualified swimming teachers who attend required training courses as part of continued professional development to keep them up to date with the latest thinking in learning to swim. If you would like any further information please contact us.

The Learn to Swim Programme Levels

Non Swimmers, Parent & Baby, Pre-School & Toddlers

This level covers the process of introducing those with no previous experience of swimming to the new water environment, developing confidence and being at ease in the water. This is achieved to a great extent through informal play. Once familiarised and able to travel around five metres, without support, they are ready to move on.


Beginners

In this level the emphasis moves from initial confidence to building a solid foundation of 'watermanship' which will lead to sound swimming technique. As well as becoming completely 'at home' on and under the water, these include developing control over water breathing and methods of using the limbs for propulsion.

Improvers

The focus of these classes it to further develop propulsion using the main swimming strokes. This is accompanied by the introduction of a wide range of aquatic skills, such as sculling, treading water and swimming under water. In addition, turns and essential safe foundation practices for diving are introduced.

Advanced

As well as further development of the main swimming strokes, this level acts as an introduction to the early stages of training in competitive swimming and provides a basis for swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. The development of both basic aerobic swimming endurance and of swimming speed is integrated within the programme.

Adults

A warm welcome by a friendly teacher will put you at ease when you decide to take plunge and learn to swim or join a course to improve your stroke technique. Adult Swimfit classes will keep you motivated to build your stamina and strength through swimming.

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Swimming Admission Policy

Children must be accompanied in the water at all times by a responsible adult of at least 16 years on the following ratios:
0- 3 years - 1 child to 1 adult
4-7 years - 2 children to 1 adult
Please stay in close contact with under 8's at all times, including whilst in the changing rooms.

If your family does not meet the minimum ratios, we will admit a third adult free of charge to assist you.

In the interest of child protection no photography is allowed.

'Safe Family Swimming' Fun Pool session on Mondays & Wednesdays 6.15pm-7.15pm
These sessions arefor families who do not meet the requirements of the admission policy and includes testing children for the ASA/ISRM Swimming Standard Award which has been designed to complement and support the ISRM child admissions policy for unprogrammed swimming. The award provides an assessment of swimming ability and water confidence.

The purpose of the child admission policy is to help safeguard that group of pool users who historically are most at risk of drowning in swimming pools. It is not intended to prevent children from having fun and enjoying the exercise and socialising aspects of swimming and its benefits in health terms. Nor is it intended to make life difficult for parents or carers.

Contrary to the popular belief that modern pools are likely to be safer than their forerunners, this does not appear to be the case. Such pools are enormously exciting and have undoubtedly encouraged family and child attendances to swim, but at the same time the introduction of challenge and excitement has introduced a range of new risks. The main ones being; the risk of very small children running away and gaining access to deep water, and the risk of weak swimmers losing their footing in the presence of moving water. Where there are risks, these can be reduced by the close supervision of responsible adults present with children in the water and additional supervision by lifeguards.

The lifeguard role is to try to prevent accidents happening by preventing unsafe behavior, but if a swimmer gets into trouble, to effect a rescue and administer first aid. A steadying hand from a responsible person present with a child can often prevent a major accident.

National guidance has been drawn up after extensive consultation with managers, parents and with other key organisations involved in swimming, swimming pools and child safety. By following the guidance, swimming pool managers, with the help of parent and carers, can reduce the level of child drowning in swimming pools in this country.

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