Advice: Forest Hill Pools

Hi guys,

I was wondering if someone could help me out here?!? I have not been swimming for over 25 years and that was at school so they were organised lessons. Due to running injury if i want to keep up fitness then swimming is only option.
Fast forward today…
I went to go for swim at forest hill pools at 6.15am. As i looked through the window I noticed there were 2 people in each lane. I just assumed that was the lane limit and walked out. I’d like to know if I was in fact wrong in doing this? To me, 2 people per lane seemed fair. What I’d like to know:
Is there some kind of queuing system?
Do people actually queue up before 6am to get in?
Was I completely wrong with my assumption? As in… more than 2 people squeeze into swimming lanes?

Thanks in advance

Hi lee,

I would have been one of the people in those lanes, pleased to say there are definitely no lane limits!

2-3 per lane is about normal at that time, some days it’s busier, some it’s relatively empty. Only other thing is that on Thursday mornings there a 2 fewer lanes due to swimming lessons.

People do queue up just ahead of 6 but I think it’s out of eagerness rather than anything else!

Hope you give it another go.

My experience in the over-60s sessions is that three per lane is usually OK. If it gets to four or above, someone (often me) sometimes moves to a less congested lane, if there is one. Deciding whether you should be in the ‘fast’, ‘slow’ or ‘medium’ lane is an art rather than a science - it all depends in who else is swimming.

Haha… I take it you’re there every day then. I will go again. I was not given any kind of induction so have no idea of how it all works in there. I was only told i need a pound coin for lockers. I guess I will when people queue up to ask where changing rooms are etc etc. Thanks for heads up about Thursday… I am amazed they do swimming lessons that early in morning.

Haha… I guess I’ll figure out what lane I should be in fairly soon. I will have no idea which lane i should be in. In some ways I feel like I’ll be learning to swim again its been that long.

My top tip about lockers: Make sure the key strap has a fastening if you’re wearing it on your body (some of the metal fasten bits have fallen off) and make sure the locker locks properly before you put your stuff in!

Hi,

I’m surprised they have not adapted to people using their own locks. Thank you for the tip.

You can bring your own padlock to use on the first floor lockers, next to the out-of-order changing rooms by the gym. So long as you’re happy walking around a public area in your trunks.

I don’t think I’d put people through that! I’ll just use the ones near the pool. I haven’t managed to get a ‘love island’ physique yet. Instead of a 6 pack I have a barrel. Lol

the fact you turned up to swim at 6am tells me you won’t have that barrel for much longer-youre obviously keen as mustard!

Haha… I used to think it was a fast process but I am now realising it takes ages. I started off at 18st and managed to get down to 13st Xmas before last after 2 years. Fratured foot just from running and it doesn’t seem to be healing properly so my weight has gone back to around 15st at a guess. So determined to get back on track

Went for my 1st ever lane swim today in the SLOW LANE at Forest Hill, whilst my 13yr old was using the fast lane. It was most pleasurable! I never knew I could swim that many lengths in an hour.
I only used to go with my sons and have a general splash & fun swim.
Didn’t realise there was a max number though. Will definitely be visiting more frequently.

Do you mean maximum swimmers per lane? So far as I know, there isn’t any official maximum. It’s just that if it gets to four or above, there is an increased risk of collisions or at any rate of accidentally brushing against someone else (particularly if there are people swimming on their backs), which occasionally causes a bit of minor aggro.

Also some people’s idea of fast is not as fast as others I seem to remember.

I’ve got no idea how to copy previous bit of text from message to add here.
But I just took it from a previous reply on thread, that it was ‘2-3 per lane’.
The lanes weren’t busy when I went today. So I am not Saying 3 is max either.