Many adults have not been to a swimming pool for years, and some have never gone at all. The building can feel like a maze of doors, turnstiles and signs, and everyone else seems to know exactly where to go. Take a deep breath: nobody minds if you take your time. Knowing the general order of things makes the first visit far easier, and after a couple of visits it will feel completely ordinary.
From the entrance to the water
Begin at reception, where you can say that it is your first visit and ask where to go. Staff are used to newcomers and will happily point you the right way. Ask how the lockers work, since some need a coin and some a token or a code. Then follow the signs to the changing rooms. Many pools have communal changing areas as well as private cubicles, so pick whichever you feel comfortable with.
Put your clothes and shoes in a locker and take your key or wristband with you. Keep your bag small: a towel, your swimming costume or trunks, and perhaps goggles are all you need. Leave your valuables at home if you can. Most pools ask you to have a shower before you get in, so head for the showers next, and then walk through to the poolside by the route marked for you.
Take a moment on the poolside to look around. Notice where the shallow end is, where the steps are and where the lifeguards sit. Check the signs on each lane and choose a spot where there is space. If you are nervous, tell a lifeguard that you are new and ask if they can suggest a quiet part of the pool. They will be glad you asked and will keep an eye out for you.
When you have finished, shower again if you like, dry off and go back to the changing room to collect your things. Hang up your wet costume when you get home so that it is dry for next time. Then decide when you want to go again. A regular slot each week, ideally with a friend, makes the whole thing much easier and far more enjoyable.
