Wildern Leisure Centre
The home of Wild Dog Fitness
We teach out of Wildern Leisure Centre in Hedge End.
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Wildern run high quality group lessons, and Wild Dog Fitness complement these by running private and small group lessons with a maximum of 3 swimmers to a lesson.
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These small groups are perfect for swimmers needing some extra help to master that one skill they are struggling with to be able to move up, for those who are more nervous in the water and for the little ones who struggle to concentrate with the distractions of the hustle and bustle of a group lesson.
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Parking
The swimming pool is part of a leisure centre based on a secondary school site. It has plenty of standard and disabled parking spaces available, however occasionally it can get busy, particularly if there is a sporting event, parents evening or show on site.
Additional parking is available at the top of Wildern Lane through a park and stride scheme. Turn left out of the school gates then right just before the traffic lights into the car park. It is worth mentioning none of our customers have had to use the overflow before as the car park has never been busy enough to warrant it - however it is available if you would like it.
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Finding the Pool
Once you are parked walk along the path towards the school. The leisure centre is the curved brown brick building to your left. There are both stairs and ramp access to the main foyer, and all changing rooms and pools are at the same level once inside the building so there are no internal stairs to navigate.
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Access
The Teaching Pool is accessed via build in steps with a hand rail, so you are able to walk down them as you would a normal set of stairs. The Main Pool can be accessed via shallow entry steps or a vertical ladder.
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A chair style hoist is available in both pools for anyone needing additional assistance to enter the water.​
The Pools
Two pools are available, the teaching pool and the main pool.
Teaching Pool
Dimensions​
12m x 6m
0.9m deep at all points
Walk in step entry with a handrail
Average pool temperature - 31-32 degrees.
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Changing Facilities
We recommend using the family changing which has access straight through to the pool. Most people will come swim ready and wait in reception. The instructor will open the glass access door and allow the swimmer straight through onto poolside. Please ensure your shoes are removed before entering poolside or the changing rooms. If you are booking adult lessons or lessons outside of our standard Sunday teaching hours we may change this, so feel free to email if you have any questions.
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Viewing
There is a large glass window spanning the length of the pool. The reception area is on the other side of the glass and there are many tables and chairs available, a vending machine, water fountain and coffee machine as well as sockets and wifi if needed.
Main Pool
Dimensions
25m x 8m
0.9m shallow end increasing to 1.8m deep end
Steps available at both ends
Average pool temperature - 28-29 degrees.
​Changing Facilities
We recommend using the main pool changing rooms, which are through reception and on your left. If the gates are locked when you arrive don't panic, one of our instructors will shortly be there to open them. If for some reason they do not appear please pop to the centre reception and ask for either Wayne or Shelley.
If you have a child of the opposite sex who is over 8 years old but you would like to assist them with their changing please either use the teaching pool family changing, or one of the two accessible changing rooms (one on poolside, one behind reception). If you would like to do this please speak to the instructor or reception staff and they will ensure you know where you are going.​​
Viewing
You are welcome to sit on poolside and watch the swimming lessons. There is ample bench seating available and you should be able to see and hear the whole lesson. If your child is over 8 then you may wait in reception if you would prefer. If you would like to use electronic devices with cameras such as mobile phones we ask you do not do this on poolside but rather wait in reception for safeguarding reasons.
