Changing room etiquette

Things to remember before you swim

We sometimes overlook how important the changing room process can be, it can really make or break a visit!

The transition from the changing room to the pool seems straightforward enough, but with children finishing their lessons and new ones starting them along with all the other visitors in between, it can get a little busy.

For the 30+ years we've been delivering swimming lessons, we've got some top tips and tricks up our sleeve that can help ensure the changing room and lesson experience is smooth and seamless for everybody involved:

Ensuring a smooth start to the lesson

• Arrive to lessons with plenty of time. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the start time of the lesson, ensuring you have enough time to park up, help them get ready, and ensure your young one gets the most out of their lesson!
• Eating before getting in the water may make your child sick, please avoid snacks directly before their lessons.
• If you are planning on using a locker, make sure to bring either a padlock, £1, or wristband. All centres storage options are different, so check yours on your centre's useful information page.

Getting changed

• If you can arrive swim ready, this makes things all the better as this speeds things up for everyone. A simple way this can be done is by encouraging your child to wear their swimwear underneath their clothes ahead of their lesson.
• Ensure you are using our designated changing areas when it comes to getting dressed for lessons. Please avoid changing in spectator areas, cafes etc. 
• Make sure to check (twice!) that you have remembered all of your belongings after using changing cubicles to ensure others have a clean and tidy place to change while your child's lesson is happening.
• Use the lockers provided or take your belongings to the viewing gallery. Please do not leave them in the cubicles.
• Remove shoes before entering the changing rooms. We try our best to keep all of our facilities clean, please help us by avoid bringing dirty shoes in the wet areas!
• Most of our centres have rules that help to keep our facilities clean, tidy, and accessible for our customers. This may include following swimming lesson pick up or drop off signs. Make sure to look out for these signs on your next visit.
• Please do not bring buggies into the changing rooms. We want to avoid dirty wheels and blocking of the aisles, so please leave buggies in the designated areas in the centre. If you are unsure where these are, just ask at reception.

Finally, enjoy your lessons and remember to feedback to one of our friendly team members if there are any issues so that we can continue to provide the best experience every time!