Swimming

Southbury Leisure Centre - Swimming

Swimming is a great way to have fun, get healthy both physically & mentally, whatever your age or level of ability we here at Southbury Leisure Centre welcome you to our pool.

At Southbury Leisure Centre we offer a fantastic 25m x8 lane main pool and a 12m heated recreation (small pool).

We offer a range of different swimming activities from swim for all sessions, swim for fitness sessions, family fun swims & our aqua splash sessions which include our inflatable obstacle course.

Which means when it comes to developing your skills in the pool, teaching your child to swim, holding birthday parties with us or just having fun, there's never been a better time to take the plunge and start swimming.

PUBLIC SWIMMING SESSIONS

Swim For Fitness

Slow, medium & fast lane swimming sessions suitable for competent swimmers over the age of 11. Swimmers aged 11-17 should be able to swim the pool 25m length unaided. Please note some lanes may be closed during part or whole of a session.

Duration: 60 minutes

Availability: 7 days a week

Timetable: HERE

Please note: Southbury Leisure Centre is a x8 lane pool, where possible we will always ensure we have a double lane avaliable for each pace swimming lane.

Bookings can be made online or by downloading our 'BETTER UK' app.

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Father and son enjoying swimming at Southbury Leisure Centre

Swim For All

A general swim session suitable for all ages and abilities for fun or fitness. Families with children of all ages welcome. One competent adult swimmer may supervise up to two under 8's or non swimmer under 16.

Duration: 60 minutes

Availability: 7 days a week

Timetable: HERE

Extra sessions are added during School Holidays and Bank Holidays.

Please note: Slow, medium & fast lanes will still avaliable during our swim for all sessions for swimmers wishing to swim continuous lengths.

Bookings can be made online or by downloading our 'BETTER UK' app.

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Family having fun with a pool float in the swimming pool at Southbury Leisure Centre

Family Fun Swim

Here at Southbury Lesure Centre, we believe that swimming should be fun and exciting for all the family. With sessions on offer such as Family Fun Swim & Aqua Splash there’s something for kids of all ages – and parents and carers too – to enjoy.

Duration: 60 minutes

Availability: Weekends

Timetable: HERE

Please note: Slow, medium & fast lanes will still avaliable during our swim for all sessions for swimmers wishing to swim continuous lengths.

Bookings can be made online or by downloading our 'BETTER UK' app.

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OTHER POOL ACTIVITIES

Child sliding down the pool inflatable slide at Southbury Leisure Centre

Aqua Splash

Take on the aqua splash Atlantis obstacle challenge here at Southbury Leisure Centre. Aqua splash is an exciting, inflatable obstacle course laid out in the swimming pool. Dive, climb and make your way across the fun and exciting course. To use Aqua Splash you need to be a minimum of 8 years old. This session also includes big float mats & noodles for fun time.

Duration: 60 minutes
Availability: Saturdays 12pm-4pm & Sundays 12pm-3pm


The user must be a minimum of 8years old and be able to swim 25m unaided.

Did you know: You can also hire the pool inflatable for party's? If interested and wish to know more information please visit our party page here

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Customers enjoying a aqua aerobics class in the pool at Southbury Leisure Centre

Aqua Aerobics

Get your body moving to the beat whilst giving yourself an energising workout in the water. Here at Southbury Leisure Centre our fun and friendly water workout classes give you all the benefits of cardiovascular exercise and provide natural levels of low-impact resistance that’s gentle on the joints.

Duration: 60 minutes

Availability: Wednesdays 9:45am-10:45am

Timetable: HERE

Suitable for adults over 16 of all fitness abilities, our invigorating aqua instructor led class provide all the benefits of a great workout, as well as being lots of fun.

Depth of the fitness class will be 1.2m to 1.4m, we also have gradual steps leading into the pool.

Best for: Mobility and stress relief

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Child in swimming lessons at Southbury Leisure Centre

Children Swimming Lessons

Swimming is a valuable skill for any child to learn. It’s a great form of all-round exercise as well as being a vital life skill that can help keep children safe in and around water. 

Lessons for children of all levels are available here at Southbury Leisure Centre:

  • Swimbies and Pre-School (from 13 months old up to 5 years)
  • Foundation, aged 4 and over (for beginners, school-aged children)
  • Development, ages 5+ (for those able to swim 25m unaided)
  • Academy (for children able to swim more than 200m)

See our lessons availability and register online. And track your child's weekly progress on your Home Portal.

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WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING THE POOL?

Get the most out of your swim

  • People of different standards and abilities use the pool.  Please respect their right to enjoy their swim.
  • Choose your speed appropriate lane using the fast, medium and slow signs and by watching those alrady swimming. Before pushing off at each turn, check to see if anyone faster is approaching.
  • Move accross to the appropriate side of the lane for each length following the direction signs.
  • Try and leave a 5 metres space between yourself and another swimmer.
  • Wide strokes such as butterfly and breaststroke should be avoided when the lanes become busy. If you change to a slower stroke as part of your session, think about moving lanes.
  • Fitness swimming equipment, such as fins and hand paddles, is permitted at the discretion of the lifeguard and based on capacity. Snorkels can be used in conjunction with conventional swimming goggles.
  • When resting to catch your breath or after completing your swim, please be mindful of other lane users wanting to keep on swimming without stopping.
  • Celebrate your achievements and share your swimming stories with us on social media using #betterswimming, we'd love to hear them!

Swim Safely Rules

Please comply with the following rules:

  • Under 8’s and non swimmers 11-17 must be accompanied by a competent adult swimmer
  • No more than two under 8’s or non swimmers 11-17 to each  competent adult swimmer
  • The competent adult swimmer must actively supervise under 8’s and non swimmers 11-17
  • Under 8’s and all non swimmers must remain in shallow water
  • We strongly recommend under 8’s and all non swimmers use armbands and/or an appropriate buoyancy aid


Advice to adult non swimmers:

  • It is recommended that non swimmers over the age of 16 are accompanied in the water by a competent adult swimmer


Read more about Water Safety and Drowning Prevention here...

Help us keep your pool clean...

  • Shower thoroughly from ‘top to toe’ with soap before entering the pool to remove deodorant, cosmetics and perspiration.
  • Use the toilet facilities before your swim and remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
  • Babies should wear tight-fitting waterproof baby trunks whilst swimming rather than nappies.
  • Please dispose of nappies, trunks and sanitary products in the bins provided.
  • Do not swim if you have consumed a meal within the last two hours.
  • Never swim if you have consumed alcohol or are under the influence of drugs.
  • Do not swim if you are currently suffering from a cold or flu.
  • Do not swim if you have suffered from food poisoning or diarrhoea within the last 14 days.
  • Please remove your footwear upon entering the changing rooms.
  • Disposable shoes covers are available.

What swimwear can I wear in the swimming pool?

All swimmers must wear clean swimwear, you can find our guide to appropriate swimwear here.

Inappropriate swimwear includes underwear or any garment with obscene or offensive pictures or slogans. Denim or heavy garments, including cotton leggings, long flowing clothes and baggy t-shirts. Swimwear that is not made from chlorine-resistant materials may be damaged.

We would advise that weak or non-swimmers wear close-fitting swimwear (i.e. swimming trunks or a full swimsuit). Our staff at the centre reserve the right to determine whether swimwear is appropriate.

Does the Southbury Leisure Centre have a disability hoist or pool pod?

Accessible changing rooms and pool hoist is available for customers who require them.

Please speak with the staff upon arrival to be given access or for further information.

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