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Swimming pool
Our 30 metre swimming pool is the longest in the Harrogate District, perfect for both beginner and experienced swimmers.
The pool is normally 29 – 31°C, split into three lanes for our lane swimming sessions. The lanes are designated as ‘Slow’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Fast’ lanes. Lane designation allows members to swim suited to their ability.
Available sessions
Our pool is regularly used for a range of swimmers, from competitive training with the Harrogate Tri-Club on Thursdays, lane swimming sessions every day and fun sessions on the weekends.
Fun session
A session for the family to enjoy all the fun of the water.
Come make a splash at Ashville Sports Centre with a mix of floats, waddles, beach balls, and fun water equipment. A great and active way for confidence building in and around the water.
General swim
A no lane swim session suited to families and casual swimmers.
Lane swimming
We all know that swimming is fantastic exercise. It works muscle groups all over your body and is great for helping develop both your muscle strength and your endurance too. It’s also an important life skill to keep practising and lane swimming is the ideal environment to train yourself to become an even stronger swimmer.
If you take your swimming a little more seriously, then lane swimming is the perfect way to train for specific events like triathlons, open water swimming events or swimathons. Not only will you clock up the miles needed to help you get fit enough for all these sorts of events, but it will also give you an opportunity to work on your stroke technique.
In order for the guests to be granted access to the swimming pool, we have certain rules and restrictions in place.
Rules of using the swimming pool for under 16s
If the guest is aged between 3 and 7, they must have a someone aged 16+ in the water with them at all times. For this age category, our ratio is 2 children per 1 adult aged 16+.
If the guest is aged between 8 and 11, they must have someone aged 16+ supervising them from pool-side or in the pool. For this age category, there is no age ratio limit.
If the guest is aged aged 12+, they can use the pool unsupervised.
Fun session swimming pool rules
Adult to child ratios
Children aged 0-7 years must always have an adult (16 years or over) supervising in the pool. Children aged 8-11 years must always have an adult (16 years or over) supervising in the building. An adult may only supervise a maximum of one child 0-3 years and two children 3-7 years at any one time.
Children attending the pool independently
Children aged 12 years and over can attend the pool unsupervised, however they must be able to swim a minimum of 30 metres without any swim aids.
Our lifeguards may conduct a competency swim test, to check their swimming ability.
Diving and jumping in
Diving is not permitted in the shallow end before the midway point of the pool. Do not jump onto or in with floats or other fun session equipment. Do not jump from the diving blocks. When jumping into the pool or diving please be cautious of your surroundings and leave plenty of room between yourself and other swimmers.
Our lifeguards may ask swimmers to stop jumping or diving in at any point during a session if they feel it is unsafe to do so.
Armbands and floatation aids
If armbands are required, please ask the lifeguard before entering the water and they will be able to provide you them. Swimmers that require armbands or any other floatation aids must stay in the shallow end and avoid entering the deeper water past the midway point.
Our lifeguards may ask a swimmer to keep to the shallow end if they are not a confident swimmer.
Equipment and floats
Do not try standing up on the big floats. Always keep floats, balls, and other swim equipment in the water, kicking balls is not permitted. Please be aware of your surroundings and other swimmers when using any type of pool equipment. Do not enter the equipment storage without permission from the lifeguard on duty.
General swim swimming pool rules
Swimming lengths
Please be cautious of other bathers, avoid swimming too quickly, and ensure you have full vision ahead when swimming lengths outside of the designated lane area. Please use the designated lane area during busier times. When using the designated lane area be cautious of the other swimmer’s speed and if you can match it to keep the flow. Allow faster swimmers to pass by moving into the corner at the end of the lane. Leave a 5–10-yard gap between the swimmer in front when pushing off. Always follow the directional arrows.
Use of equipment
Armbands and floatation aids can be used and if required, please ask the lifeguard who will be able to provide them. Avoid going past the midway point when using armbands or floatation aids. Any other swimming equipment is not permitted.
Lane swimming etiquette
Choose the right lane
Before you enter the pool, take a look at the lanes and choose one that has swimmers working at the same pace as you.
Wait your turn
Give swimmers the chance to turn and push off before you enter the lane. Dangle your legs in first to let others know you’re there.
Switch lanes if the pace isn’t right
If swimmers are swimming faster or slower than you, be willing to switch to a more suitable lane.
Be respectful of space
The beauty of public swims is the varying skill levels of swimmers. Always be respectful of others’ abilities and allow plenty of personal space.
Leave room when pushing off
Don’t push off right behind another swimmer. Give them a good 5-10 yards of space first. Likewise, don’t push off directly in front of a faster swimmer.
Go with the flow
Always follow the direction of other swimmers. It’s a bit like the rules of the road: swim on one side going down the lane and the other side coming back.
Give way
Rest in the corner of the lane when taking a break so that other swimmers can turn and push off.
Overtaking
If a swimmer wishes to overtake, let them do so. If the lane is too busy to allow someone to pass, let them overtake when you reach the end of the pool.
Proceed with caution
Always overtake with caution. Take care to avoid collisions. Never try to swim over another swimmer.
Changing facilities
We have modern and spacious changing facilities completed with showers, hairdryers, and key lockers, allowing you to feel refreshed after your swim.
Testimonials
Large length pool, nice changing room with underfloor heating. The staff are always friendly, polite and helpful.
Lovely changing room and showers – feels luxurious. As a swim member I love the pool and access to lane swimming. The wide lanes are fantastic.
Friendly atmosphere and helpful staff. Excellent facilities and pool.
Almost always able to use the equipment without a wait and the ambience is relaxed and friendly, doesn’t feel pressured like some gyms.
Ashville Sports Centre pool is a Harrogate hidden gem! It is so reasonably priced for such a large pool and modern changing facilities. I started coming to swim a few years ago, on a pay as you go basis, when I was training for the Great North Swim. Now I am a full member and regularly take advantage of both the pool and gym facilities.