Guildford Lido

[Leprechaun]

Opening day is 1st May.

We are going to swim the Channel distance as a relay (35km) and will have as many swimmers - competitive/Open water/recreational as we can doing the relay (as two teams sharing the distance). We're looking to have as many OW / pool swimmers come down and swim 400/800/1600 but are also looking to get the public to join in the fun swimming 100m or more each to contribute to the distance.

Suggestions re publicity, adverts, contacts with local radio have all been taken up by the management and we will also have at least one world champion on display too.

Season ticket holders can be in at 9:00, others welcome from 10:30

[Joy]

Does anyone want to risk a longish range weather forecast for next Saturday's Lido opening day? If the sun shines (as it is today here) we'll hopefully have a good turnout of the fair-weather-only Lido goers as well as those who don't care what the weather does for their lido swims.

As my sister is also getting married next weekend, I've a double interest in what the weather's likely to get up to.

[Wildswimmer]

Current indications aren't ideal for Saturday. After peaking around Wednesday temperatures look like falling slowly as cold Arctic air comes down on a northerly by Sunday. My interpretation of current GFS output for the south-east on Saturday: light SE wind with very light rain, max temp 11-13C.

However five days is an outlier and things could change substantially for the better as the week progresses. I'll keep an eye on things for you.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Joy]

Thanks Pete, hope it looks better by Saturday !

[No. 6]

I'm in

[Joy]

Originally Posted by No. 6

I'm in

Good. Anyone else joining Leppie clock up 35k, he'll be pretty knackered at the end of the day if not poor thing as I'm pretty slow but very willing

For anyone not familiar with what a fab swimming pool the Lido is, there are some more pictures on our facebook page to tempt you to come along Saturday (and on through the season).

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guildf...o/118121680361

[Goldeneye]

Please note that the opening time on Saturdays and Sundays is now 10:00, not 10:30.

Those who love Guildford Lido should be aware that this is its last season as a council-run facility. A new operator takes over on 1st April 2011. For more details see this established thread:

http://www.swimclub.co.uk/forum/show...=12567&page=11

[Spidey]

How was it, did Leppy swim the entire 35k?m

[Leprechaun]

Originally Posted by Spidey

How was it, did Leppy swim the entire 35k?m

No I'd still be there - we summoned up a mixture of Councillors, Council Directors, World Champions, Channel relayists, a Channel soloer-in-training, some very able kids, a smattering of Guildford City (including Prof) and some bloke in a green coat.

We clocked 49km, more than plenty and also rasied a bit of cash for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Appeal.

[Leprechaun]

Originally Posted by Goldeneye

Please note that the opening time on Saturdays and Sundays is now 10:00, not 10:30.

Those who love Guildford Lido should be aware that this is its last season as a council-run facility. A new operator takes over on 1st April 2011. For more details see this established thread:

http://www.swimclub.co.uk/forum/show...=12567&page=11

Thanks G/E, I was hoping this thread would be a focus for the positives and good stuff going forward.

The plan is certainly for the Council to have completed its tendering process and to have the new operator in place for April 2011. Remember that the Lido is in a package with the Guildford Spectrum and Ash, and its the former thats driving the need and the process.

Locals have lobbied for representation and consultation in this process and we have to remain hopeful that the positive attitude encountered from Council and Leisure Management will see this bear fruit.

[Leprechaun]

Following on from the successful opening day, today was the first opportunity for the locals to take up the offer of early morning swimming.

We now have 6-30 to 9-00 am sessions (Monday and Friday only) being trialled this season. Given the limited finance that comes from the annual season ticket, these sessions are being sold as a second tier to the season ticket, but are available to season ticket holders on the discount book of 12 basis leaving the swims priced at around £3 a go. They are also available as pay as you go swims too, but we'd always recommend the discounted ticket books (thanks Hampton for your idea).

I'd imagined the scene this morning resembling the "Gourmet night" episode of Fawlty Towers, but was pleasantly surprised to see 5-6 others taking the plunge while I was there. Especially as its a Bank Holiday and our targetted clients will be those who want a swim before work.

We'll have to see how the take-up develops as the weather gets warmer. It wasnt by any means nasty weather this morning and with the water at a splendid 23C your swim isnt going to be curtailed by inclement conditions (except thunder & lightning).

In early spring at 630 in the morning its probably worth pointing out that its not really the weather for blue-rinsers or those for whom standing talking at the end of the pool is a necessary part of the swimming experience. Better to get into the water and keep moving!

For those trying to fit in swims around work we have the two aforementioned early morning swims and evening lane swimming sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Plenty of room for all!

[Goldeneye]

Originally Posted by Leprechaun

For those trying to fit in swims around work we have the two aforementioned early morning swims and evening lane swimming sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Plenty of room for all!

The Wednesday evening sessions differ from those on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in that they are for season-ticket holders only, last only from 19:00 to 20:00, and the pool is halved transversely, so people swim widths rather than lengths. For full timetable and charges see:

http://www.guildford.gov.uk/Guildfor...GuildfordLido/

[Goldeneye]

The Wednesday morning sessions (08:00 to 10:00) continue this season, usually in half a pool. These sessions ARE included in the normal season-ticket, but those 60+ who have free season-tickets would need to pay, I believe.

Reason for update: There are also more mornings than Leppie thought!

[Leprechaun]

Originally Posted by Goldeneye

The Wednesday morning sessions (08:00 to 10:00) continue this season, usually in half a pool. These sessions ARE included in the normal season-ticket, but those 60+ who have free season-tickets would need to pay, I believe.

Reason for update: There are also more mornings than Leppie thought!

Yes of course and if anyone was indeed confused the Lido is open seven mornings a week from 10 or 1030 depending on the day. The great step forward is that the Management have added the NEW early morning sessions this year on Monday and Friday as I mentioned previously. The 8am session had been the only gesture in the direction of "early morning" swims but even that didn't meet the needs of commuters and those who wanted a decent swim before work. Sure its costing extra and in an ideal world perhaps it might be free. But for now let's let the experiment run its course and see how the take up works out by the end of the season.
Speaking to a number of triathletes tonight in the first lane swim serssion the season, they seemed keen to supplement their regular hours and were very pleased with the steps forward this season.

I don't think the Management will please all the people all the time but the more they can be persuaded to open for longer the more chance more people may get in and swell the revenues.

[Joy]

Originally Posted by Leprechaun

I don't think the Management will please all the people all the time

Now that is disappointing, I really would expect perfection from those in Guildford