Swimming in Chelmsford is a great way of keeping fit, having some fun with friends & family, or trying to keep cool on a hot summer's day. Best of all, you can be a complete beginner all the way through to being good enough to be competing in the London 2012 Olympics, and still enjoy your time in the pool.

Being one of the most popular recreational sports in the UK, swimming in Chelmsford can be enjoyed by anyone of any age from day-old babies to centurions. Located in the town are some of the best pool facilities in Essex, making swimming a suitable pastime for the able-bodied and disabled alike.

The main centre for swimming in Chelmsford is the Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre, based in Victoria Road. Boasting a 33 metre indoor pool alongside a learner pool, is also has Chelmsford's only outdoor swimming pool which is open during the summer months. Riverside Ice & Leisure also offers swimming lessons, learn to swim classes, diving facilities, as well as birthday pool and splash parties for the kids.

Chelmsford is also fortunate to have the very strong Chelmsford Swimming Club based in the town. Not only do they have a strong swimming section, they also offer competitive swimming, masters swimming, swim fit classes, synchronised swimming, life saving, and even Water Polo. They have also just recently set up Great Britain's first ever Disabled Water Polo club. Find out more about Chelmsford Swimming Club below.

Chelmsford Swimming Club

Run mainly by a dedicated bunch of volunteers, the Chelmsford Swimming Club is a non-profit based organisation offering a wide choice of pool based activities over the whole aquatic spectrum.

A highly qualified team of swimming coaches based at Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre run several sections of the clubs including teaching, lifesaving, synchronised swimming, masters swimming, and even Water Polo. The competitive section of Chelmsford Swimming Club is based at New Hall School in Boreham and has four different squads depending on age and ability regularly competing for trophies.

With so many different sections and aspects to Chelmsford Swimming Club, they are able to cater for all ages and abilities and have something to offer for every member of the family.

To find out more contact ......

Swimming at Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre, Chelmsford

The main swimming pool venue in Chelmsford is Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre in Victoria Road, which has both an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a learner pool. The centre also has diving boards, swimming lessons for all ages, and even offers the chance for your child to enjoy their birthday at this party venue. See the different headings below to find out more about what Riverside can offer Chelmsford swimmers.

The Riverside Swimming Pool timetable is forever changing and differs during school term time and school holidays. It is best to check with the centre before starting your journey to make sure it is open for the session you are looking for.

In conjunction with Chelmsford Borough Council, the centre provides free swimming for the over 60's who live in within the borough. This facility is available between 0630-1400, every Monday to Friday, during the public swimming sessions. As proof of ongoing residency, all those over 60 will be required to be in possession of a Senior Resident Leisure Plus card from 1st April 2011, in order to qualify for the free swimming sessions.

Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre
Victoria Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1FG
Telephone Number: 01245 615050

Swimming Lessons in Chelmsford

If you are looking for swimming lessons in Chelmsford, then your two main choices are the either the aforementioned Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre or Chelmsford Swimming Club. Both of them offer several different sessions including Learn to Swim, swimming lessons for adults, swimming lessons for children, swim fit classes, disabled swimming lessons, and baby swimming classes in Chelmsford.

Swimming Birthday Parties in Chelmsford

If you are stuck for an idea for your child's birthday party, why not consider a Swimming Party or Splash Party at Chelmsford Riverside Ice & Leisure. Children love any type of party and swimming parties are becoming ever more popular. Fully staffed at all times and with lots of fun and games, it is definitely an option to consider.

Chelmsford Hotels with Swimming Pool

Surprisingly there is a very limited choice of hotels in Chelmsford with a swimming pool. In fact, the only hotel that advertises a swimming pool facility in Chelmsford is Pontlands Park.

As part of its excellent leisure facilities, it offers an indoor swimming pool as well as an outdoor swimming pool, along with a sauna, fitness centre, solarium, spa, & Turkish/steam bath.

So, if you are looking for a hotel in Chelmsford with a swimming pool, Pontlands Park in Great Baddow is your only choice.

Pontlands Park
West Hanningfield Road,
Great Baddow,
Chelmsford,
Essex
CM2 8HR
Telephone: 01245 476444

The only other alternative close to Chelmsford is the Rivenhall Hotel in Witham which has an indoor heated swimming pool as part of its Hi-Life Fitness Centre. Based adjacent to the A12, it is approximately 13 miles from Chelmsford town centre and is a highly regarded location with the local population of both Witham and Chelmsford.

The Rivenhall Hotel
Rivenhall End
Witham
CM8 3HB
Tel: 01376 516969

Other Swimming Ideas in Chelmsford

If you enjoy your swimming and love being in the water, you might want to consider other water based sports which are on offer in Chelmsford.

Chelmsford & District Sub-Aqua Club
With currently over eighty members, the Chelmsford & District Sub-Aqua Club offer the chance for anyone from aged 14 and above can learn to scuba dive.

If you would like to give scuba diving a go, you could always take advantage of one of the clubs ‘Try Dive' sessions which they hold regularly throughout the year. With a session costing only £10 and all equipment being provided, it is a great way to start your diving career and benefit from poolside tuition and an introduction to diving techniques.

The Chelmsford & District Sub-Aqua Club sessions are held at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre every Friday evening between 2030-2130.

Chelmsford Diving Club
With its popularity on the increase due to the high profile of Olympics star Tom Daley, more and more people are starting to take an interest in the sport of Diving.

Chelmsford Diving Club provide teaching & training programmes in the town which cover all aspects of diving. From poolside, through the 1M & 3M springboards, to the 5M platform, you will be taught water entry techniques from straightforward simple dives to twists and turns.

Chelmsford Diving Club is open to anyone aged six and over, and whilst taking part in competitions nationwide, also have a strong recreational divers section.

The Chelmsford Diving training is held at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre on Tuesday evening 1800-1915 (Trampoline practice) & 1930 to 2030 (Pool work) / Thursday evening 1800-1900 (Dry land Gym work) & 1900-2000 (Pool work) / Friday evening 1900-2000 (Pool work)

Water Polo
As previously mentioned, Chelmsford Swimming Club also has a Water Polo section. Comprising of four categories, Mens, Womens, and both boys and girls in the Juniors, it is hoped to increase participation in this fun sport.

Training takes place every week and the club regularly competes in various leagues. There is also a newly formed section providing disabled swimmers to try out the Olympic sport of Water Polo.

The Chelmsford Swimming Club Water Polo training is held at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre every Tuesday evening between 2000-2100 (juniors) & 2100-2000 (adults).

Synchronised Swimming
Another relatively new section to Chelmsford Swimming Club is the Synchronised Swimming club which has seen a steady increase in its membership since its inception. Coached by a qualified teacher, members are prepared for displays and competitions and taught how to effectively dance in water.

The Chelmsford Swimming Club Synchronised Swimming training is held at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre every Tuesday evening between 1815 - 1930.

Again, lookout for Synchronised Swimming in the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics.

Life Saving
You never know when you might need it, so why not try your hand at a life saving course run by Chelmsford Swimming Club? Having received national recognition for their achievements, the instructors are some of the best anywhere in the country and can teach you right from the basic entry level junior life saving skills, through to the very highest level possible.

The Chelmsford Swimming Club Lifesaving classes are held at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre every Monday evening between 2000-2130.