Swimming

Swimming is a great way to have fun and get healthy, whatever your age or level of ability. At Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre we offer a fantastic eight lane, competition swimming pool,  along with a 25m six lane community pool plus learner pool. We offer parent -and - child swim sessions and more. Which means when it comes to developing your skills, teaching your child, holding birthday parties or just having fun, there's never been a better time to take the plunge.

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Did you know…Barnet residents aged under 8 swim for free and residents aged between 8-15 years swim for just £1 in any Swim for All, Swim for Family or Swim for Fitness session at their home centre Monday-Saturday if they have a valid Better Swimming Lessons membership or FAB Card. What’s more, we offer free swimming for carers all week with a valid Better Carers membership or FAB Card too.

FAB Benefits

Better Swim School

Better swim school teaches more than 90,000 swimmers throughout the UK, and teaches over 4,000 swimmers across 3, facilities in Barnet. Our Better Swim School programme is designed to be flexible and affordable with experienced, qualified teachers. We support all swimmers to progress and take the plunge, whatever their level of ability. Suitable for all age groups.

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Swimming activities

Barnet Copthall offer a variety of swimming options including swimming lessons, lane swimming sessions and Swim For All sessions. Better offers everything you need to take the plunge, build confidence, develop lifelong skills and get active while having fun in the water.

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Barnet Training Scheme

The Barnet Training Scheme works in partnership with Barnet Copthall Swimming Club, the scheme/club is managed by experienced Great Britain Coaches and is one of the leading teams in the UK, offering swimmers unrivalled opportunities to develop their swimming skills to the highest levels in sport.

Barnet Training Scheme provides a comprehensive competitive swimming programme covering swimming and masters swimming. The programme continues on from the Better Swim School lessons and provides participants with the training facilities and coaching expertise required to compete up to International level. 

As one of the leading swimming teams in the UK, they have achieved success at every level, with swimmers regularly winning medals at County, District and National competitions.They have represented and won medals for Great Britain and England at European and World Championships, Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

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Available Squads

Dolphins Squad

This is the first level of competitive swimming after Stage 7 of the National Teaching Plan/Better Swim School. Swimmers will learn the basics of competitive strokes, turns and dives.

Sharks Squad (7–10 years)

Entry upon completion of the Dolphins squad or an assessment. Swimmers will continue to learn the basics of competitive strokes, turns and dives and will also start to learn how to train and use the pace clock.

Prelim Squad (7–10 years)

Entry upon completion of the Sharks squad or an assessment. Swimmers will be introduced to low-level competitions and continue to develop the skills required for racing.

Junior Age Squad (7–11 years)

Entry to this group is though guide competition times for the swimmer’s age. Swimmers will compete at low-level competitions to develop their skills whilst also working towards County level competition.

Age Group Squad (9–13 years)

Entry to this group is through qualifying times. Swimmers will compete at low-level competition to develop their skills and medium-level competitions such as Counties, with a main focus on working towards Regional competition.

Senior Squad (12+ years females/13+ years males)

Swimmer’s entry to this group is through being in the top 30 in Great Britain for their age. Swimmers will compete at medium-level competitions such as Regionals to develop their race skills, whilst working towards National level competition.

Junior Club Squad (9–14 years)

This squad is tailored towards swimmers who have completed Dolphins level and who wish to train for fitness, recreation or competition swimming. The amount of attendance in this group is optional. Swimmers can progress to Senior Club or to one of the other groups if they meet the entry and age requirements.

Senior Club Squad (11+ years)

This squad is the next group on from our Junior Club, and caters for all of the same standards of swimmers but also includes Duke of Edinburgh Award swimming, GCSE and A-Level PE swimming. Swimmers can progress to one of the main groups if they meet the entry requirements, or continue in this group until they are old enough to go to the Masters Group at age 18+.

Masters Squad (18+ years)

This group is for adult swimmers who want to keep fit, socialise, swim in a structured session or wish to compete seriously at Masters swimming competitions.

Ages range from 18 yrs to 80 yrs+.

Disability

Swimmers with a disability may be integrated into a group that meets their physical needs; swimmers may not be with other participants of the same age.

 

To sign up to the Barnet Training Scheme please attend one of our Dolphins sessions for a trial session. Our Dolphins sessions take place at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.30pm and every Saturday morning at 8am. Trial sessions do not need to be pre-booked.

Alternatively, if you are currently competing in another programme, please contact our head coach with your most recent licensed swim meet personal-best times.

For all other enquiries, please contact Head Coach Rhys Gormley via email. 

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Help Us Keep Your Pool Clean

  • Shower thoroughly from ‘top to toe’ with soap before entering the pool to remove deodorant, cosmetics and perspiration
  • Use the toilet facilities before your swim and remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap
  • Babies should wear tight-fitting waterproof baby trunks whilst swimming rather than nappies
  • Please dispose of nappies, trunks and sanitary products in the bins provided
  • Do not swim if you have consumed a meal within the last two hours
  • Never swim if you have consumed alcohol or are under the influence of drugs
  • Do not swim if you are currently suffering from a cold or flu
  • Do not swim if you have suffered from food poisoning or diarrhoea within the last 14 days

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