Thanks for your interest in OTS Newcastle. As a club, while we have only been running since January 2025, we have grown rapidly. We are excited you might want to swim with us. These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are intended to help you understand how the club operates and what to expect.
Q. If I want to join the club, do I need to be able to swim?
We cater for anyone 18+ and for all abilities, from casual swimmers to those training for competitions. But, you do need to be able to swim 4 lengths of a 25 meter pool consecutively (although this is not timed) and to be comfortable swimming with goggles on and with your head under the water.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer swimming classes currently but, if you want to learn to swim, you could contact a local leisure centre for classes.
Q. Can I try out the club before deciding to join?
After you have registered your interest, someone will contact you to ask about your swimming experience and, depending on our waiting list, you will be invited to join a trial session. Based on your previous experience, you will be advised to swim in a specific lane, as the club swims in lanes graded by ability/speed. (After you join the club, you may later find yourself moving lane depending on your level of skill).
We understand that joining a new club can feel intimidating, particularly if you haven’t swum for a long time or haven’t been to either of our two venues before. On your first swim, someone will be there to greet you. Additionally, if you want, a named ‘buddy’ can meet you beforehand and walk in with you.
You can have up to three taster sessions before you need to decide if you want to join the club.
Q. How do I join the club?
After your taster sessions, we’d love it if you joined the club. You’ll have to pay membership fees to swim (which covers the cost of pool hire, etc). We have once a week or swim as much as you like memberships. You will also have to pay one off Swim England Membership fees (which cover things like insurance). There are more details on costs here.
Q. What sessions can I swim at?
We run 4 weekly sessions: Monday 8-9pm, Tuesday 7.30-8.30pm, Thursday 8-9pm and Saturday 11-12am. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays are at Heworth Leisure Centre and Tuesday is at The Lakeside Centre.
The club is split into 4 lanes depending on ability, with the Monday sessions reserved for less experienced swimmers, and Tuesdays for more experienced swimmers and those wanting to compete. Once a month Mondays and Tuesdays are open to everyone and have a technical focus. Thursdays and Saturdays are open to everyone. After you join the club, you’ll be assigned a lane depending on your level of skill.
Q. What happens when I get to the pool?
Make sure you are at the pool 15 minutes before the session starts. When you arrive, tell the reception staff you are with OTS Newcastle, and you will be let in without being charged.
We normally meet outside the pool and changing rooms before the session:
At Heworth Leisure Centre, we meet to the left of the reception.
At The Lakeside Centre, we meet by reception where the vending machines are.
Shortly before the session, the group will go to the changing area and then the pool. Just follow along (and, for new joiners, someone will be there to greet you, or you can walk in with a ‘buddy’).
Q. Are there changing facilities and lockers?
At Heworth Leisure Centre, there are individual changing cubicles. There are lockers, and you will need to ask for a free token at reception on your arrival.
At the Lakeside Centre, there are individual changing cubicles. There are lockers, and you will need a 20p to use them.
Q. What should I wear?
We operate a ‘wear what you want’ approach. You are welcome to wear what you feel most comfortable in, as long as it's suitable for swimming. Most people wear speedos, swim shorts or swim trunks, a one piece swimsuit or some other kind of swimming costume. If you would like to wear a T-shirt, that's fine, but we would recommend a ‘rash vest’.
Q. Do I need any equipment?
When you first start swimming, you just need a pair of goggles. You might also want a swim hat and to bring some footwear (i.e. flip flops) that you use in the changing room and poolside.
During sessions, if you need any specific kit – like a pull buoy and kickboard – we will provide these.
If you keep swimming with us, you might want to buy your own pull buoy and kickboard, as well as other kit we cannot provide (e.g. hand paddles and fins) or other personal equipment that might help your swimming (e.g. nose clip or swimming ear plugs).
Q. What happens during a session?
We swim!
Depending on the session, there are different lanes. The lanes are arranged depending on speed and ability, so you will always be swimming with those of a similar speed. There is also no pressure to complete the full set, to begin with, and even once you are a regular swimmer, if you need a break, you can take one.
The session will start with a warm-up, usually up to 400m.
Depending on the ability, we swim anything between 0.8km (about 40 lengths) and 3km (120 lengths) per 1-hour session. This will be dependent on the swimmers level and lane allocation.
Depending on the training programme for that session, you could end up swimming lots of short fast lengths or a longer sets. All sessions will have a technical element to them, and are fully coached.
Q. What are the rules of lane swimming?
If you are unsure about lane etiquette, there is guidance available here. In a session, you can also ask the person leading the session or other swimmers.
Q. What happens if I can't do the set or certain strokes (Butterfly, backstroke etc)?
We try to do a mix of strokes, including front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, with this tailored to the lane you are swimming in. If you can’t do certain strokes, we can suggest alternatives, and during sessions we also regularly break down and practice different strokes too.
Q. Do I need to tumble turn or dive?
This is not required to join or needed on an ongoing basis unless you want to compete. But we regularly do technical work, so you will have the opportunity to learn and practice to tumble turn or dive.
Q. How do I keep in touch with the club?
We communicate through WhatsApp. We use an ‘announcement’ channel to share information about the club or upcoming sessions. There is also a discussion group, where members chat about swimming and, frankly, anything else that takes their fancy. If you decide to join the club, you will be offered the chance to join these WhatsApp groups.
Q. Are their rules for members?
Yes, OTS has a Code of Conduct for Members, as well as Coaches and Teaches, and also for Committee Members, Officials and Volunteers. Everyone is expected to follow these rules to help ensure everyone enjoys the club is a safe, supportive, and friendly environment where everyone can enjoy swimming, improve their skills, and connect with like-minded people. These rules apply in the pool, in our communications and social media, and during our events. You can find out more about these here.
Q. Do you run social events?
Yes, while focus is on fitness and swimming, we also want to have fun and develop a community beyond the pool. We host a regular brunch, run other social activities (including hikes, nights out, and sports days), and also mark other key events for the LGBTQ+ communities (like Northern Pride).
Q. How diverse is the club?
We are an inclusive club, open to the LGBTQ+ community members and allies, and welcome everyone. You can read more about OTS’s approach to diversity and inclusion here.
Q. Who runs the club?
OTS Newcastle is volunteer led. You can find out about the committee here.
We are also part of the wider OTS family, with clubs in Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol and London. You can find out more about OTS here.
Q. Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you have any questions, you can contact our membership secretary on newcastle.membership@outtoswim.org