Islington Council is pleased to support the swim4life campaign to get more people swimming. This means that anyone aged 16 or under can swim for free in any of our pools during public sessions from April 2009 - March 2011.
How Swim4life works in Islington
Where in Islington can young people aged 16 and under swim for free?
Archway Leisure Centre
Cally Pool
Highbury Pool
Ironmonger Row Baths
How is this free swimming being funded?
This initiative is being jointly funded by Islington Council, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Can under 16s swim for free at any time?
If you are 16 years old or under, you can swim for free during any casual or fun session that you would normally be able to swim in. There is not always open access so check your local pool programme before you visit. For example there may be sessions that are programmed exclusively for adults, for parents and toddlers and sessions for specific age groups. There is also a female only evening at Cally and a session exclusively for people with disabilities at Archway. During busy periods, like weekends and during school holidays, there will be time limited sessions.
Lockers take 50p or £1 coins. This will be returned.
There will still be a charge for instructed sessions like SuperSwim, lifesaving, and swimming lessons. Swimming club training is not included in the scheme.
Can under 16s just turn up at a swimming pool and get in free?
Yes, once they have registered. On the first visit, 4 – 16 year olds (or their parents), will have to fill in a form to get a Free Swim Card for each child. We will need to see proof of age and address. Accepted proof includes:
- Oyster Cards (with a photo ID if 11 – 16)
- Passports
- ID Cards from a European Economic Area
Save time! Click here to print off and fill out an application form.
Any young person who already has a current junior Izz Card can just bring this on every visit. The free swimming will be given automatically.
Children aged 0 – 3 years old have always enjoyed free swimming in Islington, without a membership card, and will continue to do so.
Young people with a junior Izz Card will not need the Free Swim Card to swim for free.
Will the Free Swim Card have to be paid for?
No, but if the card is lost and has to be replaced there will be a £3 charge. To access junior discounts to a range of other activities including the Sobell holiday programme, ice rink, tennis, football and swimming lessons, you can join our existing junior Izz Card membership scheme for £10 or £3 (for concessions).
What happens if the card is forgotten?
The swim will have to be paid for – or a replacement card purchased for £3.
Will 16s and under have to get a ticket on each visit?
It is essential that everyone uses their card and collects a ticket on every single visit. This will enable us to evaluate the scheme. Parents and young people may also be asked to take part in a survey from time to time.
At what age can children visit the swimming pools by themselves?
In Islington, children have to be aged 8 years or over. Under 8s have to be under the supervision of a swimming adult (16+). The adult must be within close proximity to the child at all times. The ratio is one adult to two children aged under 8 years old.
How much do adults have to pay?
There is a range of prices depending on what type of session, whether the adult has an Izz Card, and what type of Izz Card they have.
Do 17 year olds pay an adult price?
They can pay a junior price, or if still in full time education, take out a student membership.
Do young people have to be a resident of Islington?
No. Anyone aged 16 and under can take part.
Do young people have to be able to swim?
No, but we strongly recommend that buoyancy aids are used and/or young people who cannot swim must stay in shallow water at all times. All the swimming pools have lessons for all ages and abilities running throughout the year. Islington Council also funds free intensive swimming lessons for children during the summer holidays.
Respect for other swimmers
Will the pools be very busy if they are free for young people?
Only so many people can fit in a pool at one time, so if it is busy, sessions will be run on a rolling programme and young people and families may have to queue outside the centre.
What about lane swimmers?
At Highbury, Cally and Ironmonger Row Baths, there will always be at least one double lane available exclusively for adult lane swimmers and there will be a fast track entry to this. At all pools early morning, lunchtimes and evenings will remain exclusively for adult lane swimmers. As is normally the case, young adults, who are serious lane swimmers, will have access to these sessions.
What will happen if young people misbehave?
Any person who breaks the pool rules, misuses their membership card, disobeys the lifeguards or does anything that may cause offence to other
swimmers will have the Free Swim Card withdrawn with immediate effect.
More about Swim4life
Can under 16s also swim free in other parts of the country?
Around 60% of councils in England and Wales are taking part. Our neighbouring boroughs of Camden, City of London, Hackney and Haringey are all taking part. Young people will also be able to swim for free in those council pools. However, there will be local arrangements about programming, proof of identity and membership cards. Please contact these councils’ swimming pools directly if you want to go there. A membership card issued by another borough will not be recognised in Islington. Whether other boroughs want to recognise Izz Cards
will be up to them.
Is this a permanent arrangement?
This is a two year pilot scheme. Whether or not the scheme will be extended beyond this will be dependent on future funding arrangements.
