I am travelling to London from January 21st to 25th and staying at the Athenaeum (116 Piccadilly). I hate to break my training regimen and am hoping to train with a local Masters team at least twice during that period. Does anyone know of a team that would accept visitors on a drop in basis that is convenient to the hotel location?
Maybe someone else has visited London recently and found some place to work out? or maybe someone from London would be able to help?
I visited London back in December and swam with a club called Otter Swimming:
http://www.otterswimming.com/
There were 2 facilities I swam with them at:
* Queen Mother Sports Centre, not far from Victoria Station, but it can be a bit confusing finding it (very busy Tube station); just know it is on Vauxhaul Bridge Rd. It was easiest to follow the signs for the rail station, go through there to exit the station.
* Guy's Hospital Pool: the pool is actually on a backstreet a block from the hospital main entrance. Use the London Bridge Tube station (my hotel was a 2-3 minute walk from here).
They are a very friendly group, workouts are 90 minutes, but they don't mind if you leave early. Most importantly, they didn't charge me anything to swim with them. There is a 20p coin required in lockers, although the first time I didn't know it and someone gave me one to use.
Just as a courtesy, I sent an email to fiona.c.marshall@gmail.com before my trip, and she replied within hours to give me all the details.
If you go to their website, they have maps, times, etc. If you plan to go, definitely PRINT OUT the maps to bring with you. If you get lost, the maps make it easier to find your way.
Have fun in London!
I visited London back in December and swam with a club called Otter Swimming:
http://www.otterswimming.com/
There were 2 facilities I swam with them at:
* Queen Mother Sports Centre, not far from Victoria Station, but it can be a bit confusing finding it (very busy Tube station); just know it is on Vauxhaul Bridge Rd. It was easiest to follow the signs for the rail station, go through there to exit the station.
* Guy's Hospital Pool: the pool is actually on a backstreet a block from the hospital main entrance. Use the London Bridge Tube station (my hotel was a 2-3 minute walk from here).
They are a very friendly group, workouts are 90 minutes, but they don't mind if you leave early. Most importantly, they didn't charge me anything to swim with them. There is a 20p coin required in lockers, although the first time I didn't know it and someone gave me one to use.
Just as a courtesy, I sent an email to fiona.c.marshall@gmail.com before my trip, and she replied within hours to give me all the details.
If you go to their website, they have maps, times, etc. If you plan to go, definitely PRINT OUT the maps to bring with you. If you get lost, the maps make it easier to find your way.
Have fun in London!
Thanks for all of the info, Tim! It is very much appreciated.
Former Member
Brad
This quote below was posted in another thread. I'd say contact Ivor! Or PM him here; username Ivor. He could at least help you get set up I would think.
Rich
Out of the pool I run www.UptheBeavers.com, which is the most popular masters swimming website in Britain - though unlike in the US, the competition is not up to much.
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Ivor Skrewkyk
