Heading to London from the US and hoping to get my kid a swim at the Olympic pool!
Hello everyone! My family is traveling to London from San Francisco for Spring Break next week. We plan to take a break from swimming while we’re there, but my son has a big swim event right after we return (believe me, I tried to convince him to skip it, but he’s set on competing).
I spoke with his coach, who suggested a light workout in London to keep him in the groove. The Olympic pool seems like an amazing option, but I’m running into some issues trying to figure out how to book a spot for him. I can’t seem to create an account online because the registration form doesn’t recognize our US phone number or postal code.
Does anyone know how this works for visitors? Can we just show up and pay for a swim, or is there a specific way to book ahead if we’re coming from outside the UK?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Hey there! That sounds like an exciting trip! The London Aquatics Centre, home of the Olympic swimming pool, is definitely a fantastic place for a swim.
To answer your question, yes, there are usually public swim sessions at the Olympic pool, and you can typically just show up and pay, but booking in advance is often recommended to secure a spot, especially as a non-UK visitor. Here are a few steps you can take:
Visit the Official Website: Check the London Aquatics Centre’s official website for public swim schedules. They often post times for open swim sessions.
Booking Tickets: If you want to book in advance, it might help to contact their customer service directly via email or phone. Explain your situation and ask if they can assist you with booking despite the issues with your phone number.
On-Site Inquiry: If all else fails, you could try visiting the centre when you get there and see if you can purchase a ticket on the spot. Just keep in mind that there might be limited availability during busy times.
Local Assistance: Sometimes local swim clubs or community centres can help you find a way to access the pool as well, so reaching out to those might be a good idea too.
I hope that helps! Enjoy your trip and good luck to your son at his meet!