LGBTQ+ Swimming
Swimming is a good all-round activity that is great for the body and mind and whatever your age or ability, we offer a wide variety of swimming options. Our sessions explained.
Changes to our Swim Admissions Policy
From the 1st February 2024 we are making some changes to our swimming admission policy.
To enter our swimming pools unaccompanied children will need to be 10 years. All children aged 9 and under need to be actively accompaniedin the water. Our child supervision ratios vary across each session and venue.Please see full details of our child swimming ratios and FAQs below.
LGBTQ+ Swimming
Our dedicated LGBT+ swim session offers a safe and affirming space for swimmers of all identities to enjoy the water and build community. Whether you are looking to swim for fitness or leisure, this dedicated session provides something for all swimmers with the option of lanes or open water.
The session takes place within the central pool of the leisure swimming pool. There will be no additional public swimming sessions running alongside this session however, please be aware that the pool hall does have windows with viewing possible from the café and public footways.
Who can attend?
This session is for members of the LGBT+ community and their family and friends. Swimmers must be aged 16+ to attend this session.
Swimwear Policy
We ask that all swimmers wear appropriate swimwear. Please note that for the comfort and safety of all participants, trans swimmers who have not undergone top surgery are kindly asked to swim with appropriate swimwear covering the chest area.
Changing Facilities:
- 2 large All Gender changing rooms (dedicated to this session) alongside 6 individual changing cubicles. Dedicated accessible changing rooms are also available.
- Lockers require £1, which is returned.
Sessions
Ponds Forge: Tuesdays: 8.15pm - 9.15pm
Pricing
Sessions must be booked in advance. View booking terms
Adult |
Junior |
|
Pay As You Go |
£4.85 |
£3.55 |
lifeCARD Plus (Am I eligible?) |
£2.90 |
£2.10 |
Find Us
Pool Information
- Heeley Pool: Pool shallow end 0.9 metres and deep end 2 metre. Pool length is 25 yards.
Swimwear Guidelines
- Items of clothing worn in the pool should ideally be designed for use in that particular activity. This means that anything which is deemed unsuitable and does not comply with the criteria below would not be allowed to be worn.
- The clothing should not offend decency. This means that any items of a material which could go see through (for example boxer shorts or Bermuda shorts) would not be permitted.
- The clothing should be made from a suitable material. This means anything which may become heavy when water is absorbed such as cotton should not be worn. Items such as this pose a danger to both the wearer and other users by restricting movement. Denim should also not be worn.
- The clothing should be hygienic. Clothing worn for everyday use should not be worn in the pool, the items should specifically used for swimwear.
- The clothing should be safe. Anything too baggy which may become tangled with limbs causing difficulties while swimming should not be worn.
- The clothing should not pose a risk to the wearer or other users. Any items which do not meet the above recommendations should not be allowed in the water.
- For religions which do not allow the wearer to reveal any of their body there are several items of clothing which have now been designed to be worn specifically by these groups, such as one piece costumes covering most of the body, arms, legs and head.
- For wearers who wish to keep their head covered, an appropriate piece of swimwear should be used. This can be in the form of a swim cap, or other available garment which allows the user to feel comfortable, not compromise any religious beliefs and keep in line with any health & safety concerns. Items of headwear not complying with any of the other points should not be permitted to be worn in the pool.