Cultural and Leisure Services

Pool

Download the latest pool programmes by clicking on the cards below.

The Heights	Medina Leisure Centre

About swimming

Being active can help you live longer and feel better.  It can improve your mood and help you sleep better.  It can help you to manage your weight and improve your balance. Swimming does it all. It’s good for your health, it’s fun – and it’s the only sport that can save your life.

Because the water takes your weight, swimming is excellent if you want low impact exercise – if you’re  pregnant or have mobility problems or want to protect your joints. Your whole body works while you’re swimming – good for all over toning.  Your heart, circulation and lungs benefit too – your heart pumps blood hard to your arms and legs (helping circulation).  If you swim lengths, you breathe in a deep and rhythmic way, giving your lungs a boost.

Remember to start slowly though and build up your lengths.  If you have any concerns or existing medical problems, you might want to check with your GP first.

Swimming lessons

No matter what age or level we can develop swimming skills for any individual in any stroke. Using games children can develop fundamental aquatic skills. Once they’ve achieved all the required outcomes, children can transfer to one of the sport-specific classes: competition swimming, synchronised swimming, water polo or rookie lifesaving.

The Isle of Wight Council’s swimming lessons are in line with the Amateur Swimming Association’s National Plan for Teaching Swimming.There are swimming lessons at both pools with classes for beginners, improvers and advanced swimmers. Booking is preferable but not essential - contact the pool to book.

Our swimming lessons are in line with the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming, a standard comprehensive integrated and progressive teaching programme based on technical and educational principles.

Water Workout

Water aerobics, or aquafit, usually combines a variety of techniques from gym-based aerobic classes and includes walking or running backward and forward, jumping jacks, along with various arm movements. Your workout will also use equipment such as flotation belts and flotation devices.

In addition to the standard benefits of any exercise, the use of water in water aerobics supports the body and reduces the risk of muscle or joint injury. There’s less stress on your joints when stretching and you have a greater range of movement. It’s fun – and it’s good for you!  Please check the latest Heights and Medina pool programmes for up-to-date times for water workout sessions.

Aquababes

Swimming is great for babies and children of all ages. Aquababes classes are a fun, safe environment. Please check the latest Heights and Medina pool programmes for up-to-date times for Aquababes sessions.

• Friendly and safe environment
• Qualified teachers
• Learn through play
• Develop motor skills
• Mixture of free and structured play
• Build confidence in the water
• Get certificates and badges

If you’re not sure if this is for you and your baby, come along and see. Our teachers are happy to answer any questions you have.

Aquababes is suitable from birth to four years, although it’s advisable that your baby has had their inoculations. During school holidays, children up to age seven are welcome if accompanying a parent with a pre-school sibling. All babies must wear swim nappies – you can buy these from reception.

Swimming pools

Medina Leisure Centre
Medina Leisure Centre, Newport is one of the Island’s largest leisure and activity centres with two indoor heated swimming pools.

The small pool is perfect for youngsters and toddlers and is ideal for helping the younger ones to swim.

The Heights

Two deck-level pools - 25m main pool and small pool.  New accessible wet-side changing rooms. See the latest pool programme for latest class and swim information