Deep pools in London or the SE?

[Tall Paul]

We're looking for deep public swimming pools in London and the SE England area to practise duck-dives. Ideally, diving wells of 4m plus, but 3.5m would probably do at a pinch.

Note that they must be open at some times during the evenings or weekends for general swimming - it's no good if they're reserved for platform divers all the time! (I think Guildford is like that.) Any ideas?

 

[Blue Straggler]

Crouch End pool has a separate diving pit, you might have to ask nicely about getting in and practising duck dives.

The ULU (University of London Union) pool in central London near Goodge Street, is 33m long with a ~3.5m - 4m deep end. It is expensive for non-university bods though (at least it was the last time I went there a few years ago - £8 for a swim!) and they keep it so cold that if you're not either toughened to the cold, or pelting up and down at full speed, then you do suffer.

 

[Tall Paul]

Thanks, Blue Straggler -- Crouch End looks worth exploring.

ULU probably doesn't sound ideal. I might be able to get in at a university rate having studied at London ... but cold water doesn't work for freediving, as you're not active all the time. (If only it were as warm as the SETT!)

The problem these days is that councils seem allergic to building deep pools. All the new builds seem to have 1.8-2m 'deep' ends, which is completely useless.

Any other suggestions welcome.

 

[Jonny250]

Hi TP, no idea on deep pools, but how about looking into dnf instead? maybe you do already tho...

 

[apneaboy]

Get a wetsuit and get outside mate.

Much more fun

 

[bite ya]

Always straight to the point Steve, good call though in all seriousness. Lots of lakes around the S.East. Is it my eyes or is it snowing on my laptop? That or i'm about to blackout...again!

 

[apneaboy]

No normally you see stars don't you?

Maybe its dandruff
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[Tall Paul]

Thanks all! As I suspected, the UK isn't exactly dripping with deep pools. But at least I have a few leads.

I already do DNF, but that's difficult in many pools, as the shallow ends are often 0.7m ... try swimming underwater in that without hitting the bottom or breaking the surface. The problem is that pool designers never have to use the pools themselves - most seem to be designed by accountants.

But I draw the line at cold water ... this is for pleasure, not masochism!

 

[timm]

I remember leatherhead has a high diving board and pit and Guildford I think.

But if you do duck dives with no fins, you can do it in 2.5m swimming pool and its hard, no kicking allowed just the duck and straighten and tgry and hit the bottom, if you make it and its easy start packing and if really brave floats then wetties.

Tim

 

[apneaboy]

Yeah Southern style diving.

Swimming pool and a wetsuit rofl
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[bite ya]

Steve has been known to dive in a zebra printed thong has he's a hard northern monkey!

 

[Erdi]

Hey Tall Paul, sorry this is quite late.
There's a swimming pool in Walthamstow.

Waltham Forest Track & Pool

Has a diving section attached to the main pool which is deep enough for your duck dives. Can't remember exactly how deep but I know it's definately over 4m.

I used to go there as a kid, can't remember if you're able to use the dive pool for general diving without using the diving boards but if you live close it's worth calling them up and asking !

I hope it's been of some help.

Erdi

 

[Tall Paul]

Thanks Erdi - this is proving a difficult one.

Every pool we've tried so far is either too shallow (councils think that deep water is dangerous, or it costs too much), too cold (it's not good to have to swim fast lengths between freediving practices to keep warm), reserved for board diving only, too crowded, or if it meets all these criteria, you can bet the staff won't allow it!

No wonder it's hard to encourage the development of freediving as a sport with more general appeal in the UK.

 

[apneaboy]

We have 12 pools at our disposal, I think sometimes you've gotta get lucky or ask in the right way. If you have two or three qualified divers who want to train and pick a couple of pools ill get the BFA clubs officer to try and get you in.
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[Erdi]

Thanks Erdi - this is proving a difficult one.

Every pool we've tried so far is either too shallow (councils think that deep water is dangerous, or it costs too much), too cold (it's not good to have to swim fast lengths between freediving practices to keep warm), reserved for board diving only, too crowded, or if it meets all these criteria, you can bet the staff won't allow it!

No wonder it's hard to encourage the development of freediving as a sport with more general appeal in the UK.

Ah dam. I've never really tried looking for a pool to go practice in. I've only recently become really interested in it, I was going to book some sessions this summer but it would be nice to find a pool which would allow you a little personal practice.

Did you try and call the pool I recommended you ?

And were you aiming to be allowed in with your fins ?

 

[Tall Paul]

Have settled on the River Park LC in Winchester for the present. The water is the warmest of any main pool we've tried (the Oasis was frigid!) and it's 3.5m deep at one end. (Unfortunately only 0.8m at the other, which is hard for dynamic apnea ... you can't have everything!) Apparently we can use short training fins when it's quiet, but we didn't on our first visit.

There's also a learner pool that's even warmer, and ideal for statics when it's not busy in the evening.

Didn't investigate the north London pool I'm afraid -- we're south of the city, and that would have added another 40 miles or so hack round the M25.

Thanks all for the advice. Perhaps we should be lobbying our councils for pools that are suitable for swimming, not just splashing about in!

 

[kat]

Just a thought...Putney Leisure Centre pool has a deep diving area, it's around 3/4m or so. I used to do scuba courses there for Dive Wimbledon who would hire a couple of lanes and the deep area -- not sure how busy it gets on regular nights/weekends though or if they would permit fins during public hours.

 

[BennyB]

I used to live up the road from Putney Leisure Centre. I went there once with little rubber training fins and a front snorkel and they wouldn't even let me in the water with the snorkel!

Best bet in South and SouthWest London would be Richmond (Home - London Freediving ) and Crystal Palace (look for facebook group).

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Tall Paul]

Many pools don't like fins and snorkels, yet they let people in the lanes who can't swim properly. I've never worked out why there is the ban on such equipment - I can't see what extra risk it imposes; surely the biggest risks are children and the inexperienced. I guess they like enforcing rules because they have the power to do so.

Will bear Putney in mind for statics and practice without equipment. Crystal Palace was a dead loss when I tried a few years ago - you had to ring up each time to see if it was open to the public, and every time I tried it was booked for clubs.

 

[fcallagy]

the main rule is againest fins scratching injuring others. Cant understand having a ban on masks or snorkels.