Our pool focus blogs have covered some of our longest-running venues such as East Sheen (Gordon Avenue and Sheen Mount), Putney West and Wimbledon/Southfields. It has also delved into our Balham/Tooting Bec, Wandsworth Common and Kew Gardens pools. Now we visit our newest and largest location: East Sheen, SwimWay Home Guard Club.
In 2019, around the same time we began to make headway with our proposed upgrades to the Sheen Mount School venue, we were negotiating the building of a brand new pool for SwimWay. The foundations of a long-term partnership with the Barnes Home Guard Association were being created.
SwimWay Home Guard Swimming Pool
Since we broke ground in early 2020, SwimWay has worked day and night to ensure the project is completed to the highest of standards. This could not have been possible without the full support and partnerships of the Barnes Home Guard Association, Mr Ian Philips and Buckland Pools.
The works were completed in early February 2021, in time for the proposed start of Monday the 8th of February 2021. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed that start, and we were forced to hold off until the Summer Term kicked off in April 2021. And things certainly kicked off with a bang! We have teaching at this venue since then with hundreds of happy faces from students of all ages and abilities, from 3 month old babies, to advanced adult classes.
This brand-new 20m training pool in East Sheen allows us to accommodate our more advanced swimmers in a pool specifically designed for training. We offer after-school lessons for children from stage 4 and up including pre-club group lessons in the early evenings. Other times are open for all ages/abilities including parent & baby lessons and adult classes.
Children’s Lessons
The Children’s Lessons are available for all ages from 2 to 18 years. We can cater for children swimming at any stage of the unique methodology set out in the SwimWay Children’s Programme. However, as above, our weekday after-school spaces are available only to children from stage 4 and up. This includes pre-club group lessons in the early evenings. All other times, including Saturdays, are open for all children’s ages/abilities.
Beginner 1 to Stage 3
Running Mondays to Fridays between 2.00pm and 4.30pm, and Saturdays between 8.00am and 6.00pm. We offer lessons for children of all ages and abilities during these times, but the majority of our students during the weekday early afternoons will be younger, beginner/developing swimmers.
Stage 4 to Stage 7
Our more advanced child swimmers have exclusivity for after-school spaces at this venue. These lessons run Mondays to Fridays between 4.30pm and 8.00pm. On Saturdays between 8.00am and 6.00pm we offer lessons for all ages and abilities. If you can’t find a suitable space for your child, why not enquire at our Gordon Avenue or Sheen Mount pools instead?
Stage 8 to Stage 10 (Pre-Club)
From Stage 8 and up, our students enter what we call the “pre-club” lessons. These are extremely helpful for those children interested in swimming for a club. Our small group classes will train and prepare them for swimming at a club level. These lessons run some weekday evenings between 7.00pm and 8.00pm.
Parent & Baby Lessons
Our parent and baby programme runs every weekday morning between 9.30am and 12.00pm. These are small group lessons following the revolutionary SwimWay Parent & Baby Programme. Classes are suitable for children aged between 3 months and 3 years.
SwimWay parent and baby lessons are a great way to introduce your baby or toddler to swimming. Additionally, they are a fun social activity for you both. Through a series of different techniques, the children will learn various skills. These include water confidence and safety, understanding water movement, submersions and breath control, flotations, correct kicking and basic arm movement. There is a controlled, focussed approach in the small classes. Not to mention, lots of opportunity for bonding between adult and baby.
Adult Lessons
SwimWay provides adult lessons every weekday morning between 8.00am and 9.00am at the Home Guard Club. These are suitable for a wide range of skillsets. Ranging from absolute beginners through to advanced level swimmers. We can even cater for triathlon training programmes. Our specialised methodology with small group classes provide precise tutoring in a more personal lesson, with more individual attention to the students.
Instructors
At SwimWay we put a huge emphasis on recruiting the best instructors and office staff. We understand the importance of the bond between instructor and student.
We are extremely proud with the team we have built at the Home Guard venue, led by the fantastic David Ashton. He is our head coach and site manager at this location.
David has been with SwimWay since 2014, starting as one of our instructors. Since then, he has become an integral member of our team working as Instructor, Kensington/Holland Park Site Manager and Head Coach and the company Health & Safety Consultant. As of July 2021, he now works exclusively at the Home Guard pool.
Facilities, Parking & Location
The Home Guard Club is packed to the brim with amazing features! While many of our clients will be local and simply walk to the venue, we are delighted to offer on-site parking and a bicycle stand. The venue is also only a 4 minute walk from Mortlake Station.
The club boasts brand new facilities including changing rooms, showers, hairdryers as well as male and female toilets. There is also a poolside viewing area where parents can watch their children showing off their swimming skills!
On top of all that, those who pay for a full membership will have access to the rest of the venue’s offerings. This includes a media area, bar, social events and more!
Booking
As you can see, the SwimWay Home Guard Club is an amazing venue with so much to offer! We are tremendously proud of what has been built here, and are so excited to get started.
If you would like to book with us at the Home Guard Club, take a look at our prices and availability here. Then simply send us a booking request via our contact form here. Availability is likely to be extremely limited, so don’t hesitate – get in touch now!
It is important to note that a club membership is required to book SwimWay lessons at the Home Guard Club. More information can be found here. Membership prices are not included in SwimWay fees.