Swimming at Ongar Leisure Centre
Swimming is a great way to stay physically active, whatever your age or ability. Whether you’re lane swimming to maintain and develop your fitness, splashing around with the family or learning to swim so that you can join in the fun, we have something for you!
Enjoy a range of swimming and pool activities for you and your whole family where you can have fun and be active together.
Learn to swim with our swimming lesson programme, book a swim session from our timetable or find out about our pool.
Swimming lessons
Our team follows the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework to deliver swimming lessons. We use fun and games to build water confidence from the first splash to a lifetime of loving swimming and being safe in the water.
Swimming lessons
Ready to get started? Most of our lessons can be booked online.
Learning to swim is an essential life skill - if you can swim you can enjoy all of the exciting activities that the water has to offer. We offer lessons for all ages and all of our lessons are taught by qualified teachers. Our team follows the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework to deliver swimming lessons.
Already on lessons with us? Please visit our useful information page for frequently asked questions about getting started and what to do after you've enrolled.
Children's lessons
- Pre-school lessons for babies and toddlers 0-5 years
- Lessons for school age children
- Aquatics skills lessons - Competitive Swimming and Rookie Lifesaving
To practice their swimming skills, all children on our swimming lesson programme benefit from free swimming in selected pool sessions.
Adult swimming lessons
- Adult lessons are available for all abilities whether you have a fear of the water, haven’t been swimming since school or if you want to refine your technique ready for an event.
Other lessons
- Private lessons are available for children and adults that would benefit from 1 to 1 tuition.
- Intensive courses are available during selected school holidays
Course Hub
When you join our swimming lessons you will be able to register for the Course Hub where you can:
- View the outcomes for each stage
- Track your child’s progress
- Get notifications when your child achieves an award
- Move your child to their next class
My Learn to Swim App
As a participant on our lesson programme you and your child can also benefit from the Swim England My Learn to Swim App. Watch our video at the bottom of this page for a preview of all the exciting features.
To find out more or join our swimming lessons, please book online.
Take a virtual tour
Our pool facilities are well worth checking out. Want to see them before you visit? Check out our virtual tour at the link below.
Swimming memberships
We offer a range of Swim memberships that will allow you to enjoy your time in the pool – whether for fun or structured, fitness activity.
Take a look at what else is included in each membership type and learn how you can join today.
Pool info
We have one pool to enjoy at Ongar Leisure Centre - with our pool measuring 25m in length, and capable of being split into four lanes.
Please note that due to staff lifeguard training, 2 lanes will be unavailable to the public on the second Tuesday of each month from 6.00pm - 8.00pm, and the last Sunday of each month from 8.00am - 10.00am
Inflatable Fun
Try our giant pool inflatable in our main pool, with 'wipe-out style' courses with obstacles and slides which adults and kids can scale and climb through. Can you get to the other side without falling overboard? Alongside this have rafts and floats.
Inflatable fun
Session times and prices
- Last Saturday of the month | 12.30pm - 1.30pm or 1.30pm - 2.30pm
- Wednesdays (school holidays) | 1.15pm-2.15pm or 2.15pm-3.15pm
£7.80 per session for members and non-members
Please note: it is mandatory that children are able to swim for these sessions. Non-swimmers will not be permitted and are non-refundable.
How to book
Sessions can be booked up to 14 days in advance for members and non-members. Limited spaces per session. Advance booking is recommended.
Call us on 01277 363969 to secure your space.
Terms and conditions
Strictly for ages 5 years and above. Under 8's must be supervised by an adult (16yrs+) and there is a max of 1 child under 8 per adult. Lifejackets are provided and must be worn by all participants.
Aqua classes
We operate a number of Aquafit classes throughout the week. Take a look at our timetable to book your space.
SWIMTAG
SWIMTAG is the latest, waterproof wearable technology that helps you track your swim strokes, lengths, times and calories burned. You can enter challenges and competitions to compete against other swimmers or your own personal best.
SWIMTAG is free for members. Simply sign up for SWIMTAG at reception, or via the link below.
SWIMTAG
Keep up to date
SWIMTAG keeps you up to date with your progress and achievements; we will notify you of your new personal best as well as competitions and challenges. Plus you’ll get notifications from your local pool on the latest news and events.
Challenges
Challenge yourself and others to take on an epic swim. Select a start and finish date for your challenge and SWIMTAG will update your progress as you move along the map. Invite your swim mates to join you and you could find yourself racing across the Channel or around the Isle of Wight!
Rule the Pool
Rule the Pool is a weekly competition for you to compare your swim against past swims and measure your progression over time against yourself and others. You will be able to upload a 400m swim (using any stroke) every week during any public session. Your 400m time will be added to an interactive league table which is published every Sunday night.
Don’t forget you can link your SWIMTAG activity into the Places Locker app.