Baby Swimming on weekends?

[antantant]

Hi there,

I'd like to start taking my 14 week old boy to the pool, to get him water safe. I work during the week, so it would have to be at weekends.

Are there any baby swim lesson things in the area on weekends? I live in Nunhead and don't have a car, but don't mind bussing to Peckham/ED/Lewisham etc if I need to.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide,

Anthony

[Saffron]

Hi- We live in Brockley, which is the neighbourhood directly to the east/southeast of Nunhead. We also don't have a car. Husband took Little Saff to swim in the ED pool once. He pronounced it "bloody freezing" and has never suggested it again... although I've heard the water might be better now?

Depending on where you are in Nunhead, you might be relatively close to Wavelengths Pools in Deptford. It's about a 20min walk from ours, but sadly no direct bus grrr.

However, the new pool in Forest Hill is opening next month. You should be able to get a bus down Brockley Road to Forest Hill. We'll definitely be looking into it! Little Saff loves to swim. Maybe see you there? :)

[Gooders79]

Are you looking to go to lessons or just take your baby along to a local pool?

I haven't been but have heard really good things about Peckham pulse,they do jelly babies sessions at the weekends in their hydrotherapy pool which would be good for a really young baby.

Crystal palace pool do regular sessions, cheaper than ED pool but quite cold and can have some older children and be a little chaotic!

We go to lessons with waterbabies, every week at lewisham hospital, in their hydro pool, lovely and warm, we are really enjoying the course and have just signed up tithe third term,they are quite expensive though. I think they do weekend classes.

[northlou]

Little Dippers swimming lessons are good. They are carried out level by level so that babies eventually become safe around water with the view if they went under or fell in they would be able to swim to the side etc.

Lessons can be booked online and take place at London Bridge or Clapham, and are on a weekly basis on weekends in 6 week stints. The pools are lovley and warm for babies.

Our baby really enjoys it, the teachers are great and we've met some nice people along the way.

It is a bit on the pricey side, but you get a free swim nappy when you start and babies are getting training.

[jennyh]

If you dont necessarily want classes but just want to get him in the water then either the peckham pulse hydrotherapy pool is good (very warm like a nice bath!) or the East Dulwich leisure centre pool is good too (Saffron - it might have improved as I don't really like water and hate cold water but I am fine in this pool...is luke-warm I would say, like a bath when youve got out and its been left for 20 minutes or so!). Both have specific jelly baby sessions if you search for the leisure centres you can see the timetable at the side of the page. only thing I would say is that the classes do get filled up quickly at times so you have to be early!

[Mathilda]

I agree Peckham Pulse is a good option, its very warm and lots of toys to play with. The Jelly Babies sessions are specifically for babies and get very busy, if you want to just turn up and swim you are more likely to get into a Little Rascals session (age 0-8) esp. at weekends.

[antantant]

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated. I should have said that I was looking for lessons.

I've tried to call Peckham Pulse to get some info but it just rings out - I might try going in there tonight, and if it doesn't work out look into Little Dippers or Waterbabies. The new pool in Forrest Hill sounds interesting, I'll look into that too!

Thanks again for all the info.

[Jo'sEnglish]

Aquatots do swimming lessons at Lewisham hospital on a Sunday, and they have a summer term starting in July, unlike most places that stop over the summer. Don't know if they are any good as I've only just signed up!

ETA: I've taken my little one to Jelly Babies at Peckham pulse to the 1pm Sunday session a couple of times and it has been really quiet. I believe the morning session is busier.

[oimissus]

Peckham Pulse is lovely but I understand it gets rammed at the weekends. If you look on their website there's a timetable showing the session times. You can go in person to book a place, or turn up and hope for the best (I think if you're a Fusion member you can book over the phone). Their reception is always really busy so I can imagine no-one's answering the phone.

[Ruth_Baldock]

Does the 484 bus route serve Nunhead? The 484 stops at Camberwell Green, and , Camberwell Leisure centre has a nice quiet pool at the weekend, we take our two (11mo and 2.5y) to the sunday Jelly Babies session from 2-3pm.

[Saffron]

Yes, from memory, 484 bus runs from Brockley Cross to Telegraph Hill, then Friendly Gardens, past Ivydale and pops out at the northeast corner of Peckham Rye common.

[Vixster250]

Waterbabies.co.UK do 9 week courses at a private pool in herne hill.

Our baby loves it and is half way through level 2.

The lessons are quite pricey ?140 for 9 weeks but they teach them really good water skills.

The only downside for me is the lady who owns the company. Awful

Customer service - but the teacher is good and that's all that really matters.

V

[antantant]

You're all superstars! Thanks heaps for all the info :)