Swimming lessons and aquatic exercise for all abilities at Horizon Leisure in Havant

With a choice of large heated pools, swimming lessons and water-based activities suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, there’s never been a better time to make a splash at Horizon Leisure.
Ad Feature by Horizon Leisure Trust
Published 6th Feb 2024, 07:47 BST
Pool activities at Horizon Leisure are accessible for all – whatever your age or ability there’s an activity for you. Supplied picturePool activities at Horizon Leisure are accessible for all – whatever your age or ability there’s an activity for you. Supplied picture
Pool activities at Horizon Leisure are accessible for all – whatever your age or ability there’s an activity for you. Supplied picture

Horizon Leisure is passionate about the health benefits of swimming for everyone. The staff actively encourage a positive and inclusive culture around aquatic exercise, meaning its wide range of pool activities are suitable for all.

So whether you are just starting out with baby’s first swimming lessons, want to enjoy family fun float sessions, get in some laps for yourself or are interested in our long-term conditions’ swimming sessions, there really is something for everyone, helping us all to lead a happier and healthier life.

But don’t just take our word for it, the National Governing Body, Swim England’s, ground-breaking ‘Value of Swimming’ report revealed swimming in England annually saves the health and social care system £357 million, with £51 million attributed to reduced GP visits. Regular swimming correlates with a higher sense of life's worth for 7-16 year olds and increased happiness, reduced anxiety and greater satisfaction for adults. Adult swimmers also exhibit a 1.4 per cent lower BMI and feel 6.4 per cent healthier; akin to feeling up to 12 years younger than the general population.

Our pools

Unlike many smaller gyms in the area, Havant Leisure Centre boasts three large heated pools, including a 25m x 20m pool perfect for lane swimming, an infant area with a depth of only 0.5m, plus an additional splash pool at 13m x 7.4m ideal for under eights. Whilst Waterlooville Leisure Centre has two heated pools, one measuring 25m x 17m and its splash pool at an impressive 13m x 9.5m.

All equal in the pool

The benefits are clear to see. The properties of water, particularly buoyancy and resistance, make exercise accessible to people who may struggle to exercise on land, where bearing one’s own weight could cause significant discomfort. The water’s natural buoyancy supports a person’s weight, reducing the amount of stress placed on joints, enabling them to exercise more efficiently and with less pain.

Aquatic activity is proven to help with conditions such as back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hip and knee replacement (both pre and post-surgery), other musculoskeletal conditions and mobility for people that have suffered a stroke. It’s also ideal for people where over- heating is a symptom, including the menopause and pregnancy.

Mike Davies Swim School Manager says: “There are a lot of people who would like to be moving more, but currently can’t, and being in the pool might just be the solution; be that lane swimming, walking in water, our specialist long term conditions sessions or our Waterworks aquacise classes. Plus we have hoists and trained staff to help you to access the water.”

Learn to swim

Learning to swim provides your child with an essential skill for life, which will give you peace of mind when they are in or close to water. Learn to swim lessons are available at both Havant and Waterlooville Leisure Centres for children aged four and up, whilst for our younger water babies, aged from three months, there are fun parent and baby sessions.

The lessons are taught by Horizon Leisure’s experienced and QUALIFIED swimming teachers, with our programme taking children from beginners (level one) to advanced swimmers (level ten), with a trusted pathway into competitive swimming at Havant and Waterlooville Swim Club, as well as Lifesavers, Synchro and Junior Swim Fit sessions.

And don’t forget, you are never too old to learn to swim; Horizon Leisure offers adult swimming lessons and refresher sessions too.

Turn your hobby into a career!

Have you ever considered becoming a lifeguard? Being a lifeguard is an extremely rewarding job, with the role benefitting from flexible working hours that can easily fit around other commitments, such as studies and caring responsibilities. Qualified lifeguards are always in demand!

Horizon Leisure is running a one-week intensive National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course at our centres between the 11th-16th February. The qualification will allow you to work in any UK swimming pool. Candidates must be 16 years old and must be confident swimmers. Details of the training can be found here.