Pool sessions have now restarted and will run from 11th September 2022 until mid May 2023.
These sessions are for fully paid up members of the club. Only attend if you have a confirmed booking and bring your membership card with you. If you have any queries about whether family members or very young children can attend then contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are no longer offering temporary pool membership for guests.
The pool sessions offer an excellent opportunity to improve and learn new skills in the comfort of a heated pool at a time of year when the River Cam is getting increasingly chilly!
The sessions are suitable for all ages and abilities
Paddlers are requested by Abbey Pool to not wear full face swimming masks. These infringe their resuscitation policy
Location
Abbey Pool, Whitehill Road, off Newmarket Road, CB5 8NT
Fee: £5.00 per place
Pool Session Times and Dates:
Sunday evenings 6.00pm to 7.00pm starting from mid September until late May.
To reserve a space click on the link below. You will receive a confirmation email.
Booking a Session
Booking is on a first come, first served basis, but please remember that if you do book a session and then fail to turn up you are blocking one of the very limited places
There is a strict limit of 15 boats in the pool at any time (reduced to 8 boats during COVID-19 restriction times) so you must reserve a space in advance. You can pre-book up to 2 sessions per block unless the annoucement email says otherwise. Sessions are usually released for booking in blocks of 4-6 sesssions at a time. There is no waiting list but you can check for cancelled spaces that become free anytime.
Please make every effort to attend if you have booked as spaces are limited. However if you really can't make it then contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that the place to be made open to ther members. But please don't leave it until the day of the session so that others get a chance to take the place. Do not turn up unless you have received an email confirmation saying that you actually have a space!
U14s must be accompanied by an adult who dosen't need to paddle but must remain at the poolside for the session and take responsibilty for their childs activities and bahaviour.
Club coaches are welcome to help out any any session without prior arranagement. If you want to help out as a willing helper or aspirant coach then contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We always need help to fill the duty rota!
Here is a link to the booking page
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any booking queries
What to wear?
Most people wear normal swimming gear then add a synthetic top to keep warm. You can wear neoprene shorts, top or a shortie wetsuit if you prefer. A full wetsuit is not really needed. Footwear is not needed. A noseclip and swimming googles are also a good idea if you are capsizing or learning to roll. Please do not bring underwater face masks with a nose covering as these are against the Pool's own policy.
We don't wear Buoyancy Aids in the pool but do have some avalaible to use if you prefer including some for younger children.
How are the sessions organised?
These sessions are not structured, organised courses. They are an opportunity to practice your paddling in the safe, comfortable environment of a swimming pool. There are always at least two coaches present, and they will usually be happy to help coaching paddlers and answer any questions you have. However, don't expect a full hour of one-on-one coaching, as there will probably also be other people who need help. You will probably get most out of these sessions if you have specific aims for the pool sessions. This could be becoming more comfortable with capsizing, learning or improving your support strokes to avoid capsizing, practicing rescues, or learning to roll. Most likely you will have to do quite a lot of work on support strokes and rescues before you progress to a roll.
If you are learning to roll, it is often useful to have a person in the water to assist you. While a duty coach can do this, it might make sense to learn with a friend or two and take turns helping each other. If you take turns paddling, but only use one boat at a time, you only need to book for one place.
Similarly, parents can enter the water to assist children or help empty their children's boats if they capsize - in fact, this is needed if your child capsizes often! A coach can show you the best way to do this but after that it's up to you. A parent or nominated carer for U14s must remain at the poolside during the session and take responsibility for their childs activities and behaviour.
We have a selection of boats, paddles, and spraydecks at the pool for you to use. Alternatively, you can bring your own equipment, but if you do so, it must be cleaned thoroughly. This includes the inside of your boat. The duty coach will check that your boat and/or paddle is squeaky clean!. Bear in mind that your boat will need to be brought in through the pool reception area where space is restricted. a 17ft sea kayak is about the limit for access. No canoes please
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a any queries
