Pool Swimming Standard

Changes to Adult / Child Supervision Ratios

Have you ever been restricted from accessing our Lagoon or Competition pools because of our adult to child admission policy?

Is your five, six or seven year old a good swimmer?

If the answer is yes to both these questions then you could benefit from our new Pool Swimming Standard.

 The Pool Swimming Standard is a new development backed by the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) that enables children under the age of eight to prove safety and competency in the water.

Once the child has proved competency through tests run at Pool in the Park they will be awarded with the Pool Swimming Standard. The award card will have the achievers name and picture on it and should be shown each time the child swims at Pool in the Park.

What this means

Many parents and families struggle to take all their children swimming because of the adult to child ratio policies enforced at swimming pools around the country.  The adult to child ratio admission policy at Pool in the Park is set to ensure the safe supervision of children under the age of eight.

However it is recognised that many children under the age of eight are good swimmers, yet access is still restricted. To overcome this, Pool in the Park have devised a set of tests that will show that the child is safe within our pools.

The test will comprise of the following assessments:

  • jump into the deep end of the competition pool and submerge the head.
  • tread water for one minute.
  • swim 50 metres (two lengths) in under two minutes.
  • enter the Lagoon Pool and swim to the main wave area when the waves are in operation.
  • tread water for 30 seconds.
  • exit the pool safely.
  • swim around the rapids whilst the waves are in operation.
  • generally show a safe and competent ability and awareness of the pool environment.

If the child passes these criteria they will be awarded with the Pool Swimming Standard. The admission policy will then change to the following:

one adult

one child three and under and one child five and over with Pool Swimming Standard

one adult

two children with Pool Swimming Standard

two adults

two children under three and two children with Pool Swimming Standard

Our normal admission policy states that in our Lagoon and Competition Pools one adult can only safely supervise one child three and under or two children four and over.

The tests are generally held on a Saturday at 3pm and require booking in advance. 

The cost will be £2.50 for Key Concession card holders or £5 standard rate. The fee also includes entry to the pools for your swim afterwards and if you are successful, your Pool Swimming Standard Award.

To be eligible for the award the child must:

  • be a competent swimmer.
  • be five years old or over.
  • become a Key Card holder  (appropriate fee applies).

For more information on the Pool Swimming Standard Award please see the Customer Information sheet. Parents and carers will need to sign the Customer Information Sheet to be able to benefit from this scheme.

If you are a visitor to our pool and have been awarded the Pool Swimming Standard at another pool unfortunately you are only allowed to use it in the Competition pool and Teaching pool. Our Lagoon pool is unique and as such we have designed a unique set of tests to ensure safety and competence within it.

To register your interest and to book a place on our assessment please contact James Barter on 07818 021014 or email james.barter@woking.gov.uk .