Swimming
Please note, David Ross Sports Village swimming pool and the Health and Wellbeing Suite will be closed from 9 May 2022 until July 2022 as the swimming area undergoes a £1.4 million refurbishment.
All UoN sport and fitness members and Swim School participants (Early Years are unaffected) have been emailed regarding alternative arrangements. Please contact membership@nottingham.ac.uk with any queries.
Swimming is a great way to stay fit and healthy in a relaxed and comfortable environment and at our state-of-the-art David Ross Sports Village we offer a fantastic range of facilities, including a 25m eight-lane pool, a hydrotherapy pool and a luxury Health and Wellbeing Suite.
Home to a number of University sports clubs, our pool also offers reserved swimming times for our members and a comprehensive Swim School programme for all ages from 6 weeks old to adult swimmers.
We are proud to partner with Speedo and Nova Centurion who support our extensive elite swimming set up.
Swim School
We offer an extensive Swim School programme for all ages and abilities from 6 weeks old to adults. Our expert coaches aim to provide all swimmers and outstanding experience in our comfortable, safe and fun environment.
There are a variety of options available, including 1-2-1 private lessons and group sessions.
For babies and toddlers, we have a special programme which is delivered in our heated hydrotherapy pool and focuses on building confidence in the water through activities with colourful toys and nursery rhymes.
Working closely alongside Swim England, our programme is focused on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD), providing high-quality tuition focussed on stroke technique.
Member & Casual swimming
Our spacious 25m pool at the David Ross Sports Village offers both lane and social swimming at various times across the week.
All our student, staff, alumni and associate members can access our swimming pool free-of-charge as part of their UoN sport and fitness membership. All public members who have purchased a David Ross Sports Village fitness suite and pool membership or an annual pool membership (additional charge applies per swim) can access the swimming pool as part of their UoN sport and fitness membership.
Non-members can also access the pool for a swim through our pay-as-you-go services, find out more here.
To check availability for swimming sessions* and to pre-book, please log in to your member or pay as you go account here or call the David Ross Sports Village reception team on +44 (0)115 74 87000.
The casual sessions we have are as follows:
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Swim session – 4x Lanes in one half of the pool, and social swimming in the other half of the pool
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Lane Swimming – Lane swimming only across the pool (no social swim options)
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Deep water lane swimming – Two lanes, only available in the deep water of the pool, not ideal for weak or those new to swimming
Classic Club membership
If you're 50 years-old or over, our Classic Club offers a great way to stay active, fit and healthy whilst meeting new people from your local community.
For a small membership fee, you can access one complimentary swim, a free guest pass and then discounted swimming at set times every week. Our Classic Club members can also access our Aqua Fit sessions.
AquaFit classes
We offer a weekly Aqua fit class for all our members. Aqua fit is aerobics in the water, using the water resistance to give you an all-over body workout. It offers a low-impact option and it doesn't matter if you can't swim!
Health and Wellbeing Suite
Located adjacent to the swimming pool at David Ross Sports Village, our Health and Wellbeing Suite is the perfcet place to relax and unwind. Opened in May 2019, it includes a Finnish sauna, steam room, artic ice fountain and an ice-cold bucket shower.
Members and non-members can access the Suite by adding an access pass to your membership or taking advantage of our Pay as You Go options.
Lifeguard courses (NPLQ)
University of Nottingham Sport is an approved training centre for the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards and delivers the National Pool Lifeguard qualification (9th edition). Recognised throughout the UK and the leisure industry, this qualification provides you with the ability to work in a pool environment whilst offering you lifelong skills.
All courses are £245 per person. For more information on the course or how to book, please email: sport@nottingham.ac.uk or contact reception on 0115 7487000.
To be able to attend and take part in the NPLQ course you must:
- Be 16 years of age (candidates may begin training at 15, but must be 16 at the time of the assessment)
- Be able to meet the following basic fitness criteria:
- Jump/dive into deep water
- Swim 50m in less than 60 seconds
- Swim 100m continuously on front and 100m continuously on your back in deep water
- Tread water for 30 seconds
- Surface dive to the floor of the pool
- Climb out unaided without ladder/steps where the pool design permits
- Swim a minimum of 100m breaststroke
Your questions
I have a UoN sports and fitness membership - can I use the swimming pool?
Yes, all our student, staff, alumni and associate membership packages include use of the swimming pool free-of-charge. Check out our opening times to see when the pool is available for general member swimming.
For public members, use of the swimming pool is available to customers who have purchased our Fitness Suite and Pool or Pool only membership.
What are the dimensions of the pool?
The pool is 25m x 18m. The shallow end can vary as there is a moveable floor. The deepest part of the pool is 2.2m.
What are the different types of swim sessions that are available?
Swim session – In these sessions, we will have both lane and social swimming. There isn't always a full pool available for the social swim sessions and therefore, the number of lanes will be dictated by the available space.
Lane swimming – Lane swimming only across the full pool (no social swim options).
Deep water lane swimming – Deep water sessions will be any session that requires the floor to be 1.3m or deeper across the whole pool. (Deep water swimming only. Not suitable for non/weak swimmers).
I have a disability and / or long-term medical condition. How can I arrange to gain access through the swimming pool entrance?
We kindly request that all users use the main David Ross Sports Village reception to access the building. Please click here for the route to the swimming pool.
However we do recognise that some customers with a disability or long-term medical condition may find this arrangement challenging. With that in mind, alternative entrance through the side doors closest to the swimming pool via swipe card may be arranged.
Should you wish to make use of this arrangement, please complete the self-declaration form online here or in person via our David Ross main reception or swimming pool reception.
What is the ratio of adults to children needed for children to use the pool?
The ratio of adults in the pool to under 8s is:
- 1 adult to 1 child for 0 – 3 years;
- 1 adult to 2 children for 4-7 years
For children 8 and over, the adult is not required to go in the water but must remain in the swimming pool environment.