Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre

It’s a wet and miserable mid-January. I missed the 6am swim alarm this morning, so opt for a lunchtime swim instead. I could pop five minutes down the road to my local, but instead choose a 25-minute drive up the M6 Toll to Cheslyn Hay.

This is one of the pools that got me thinking about this whole 1,000 pool challenge in the first place. Thinking back to all those pools I swam in as a kid, this was on the regional Saturday night gala rotation. I remember swimming here quite a few times, although I was never really sure where Cheslyn Hay actually was, it always sounded far away. I do remember Chase Swimming Team being worthy rivals to our yellow and gold Triple-S. After 35+ years, it’s about time I pay a visit.

The leisure centre is attached to Cheslyn Hay School. It’s fairly basic in construction, but a brilliant example of a small-town community pool. Being connected to the school and a reputable swim club has obviously helped, and for a lunchtime one-hour session, it’s well attended.

Pay the very reasonable entrance fee, do a quick change in the small changing rooms, then lug the swim bag out onto the pool deck.

It’s a one-hour session and it’s nearly ten minutes in by the time I get started. There are a few swimmers and no lane speed boards, but the nearest lane is free so I jump in and make a start. I opt for the limited-time 800s session, one 800, two 400s, four 200s and so on.

First impressions, fantastic pool. The water is the perfect temperature and it’s crystal clear, something I really wasn’t expecting from a 60s or 70s era pool. I’m also pleased to see they’ve got lane ropes in for a lunchtime session.

Left shoulder, and now elbow, giving me a bit of pain again, but I finish up 3km and float for a minute before the clock hits the 1:30pm end of session.

I’ve got an email to say my new goggles have been delivered. For the first time in 15+ years, I’ve gone with something other than Arena. Always a sucker for trying new technology, I’ve gone for a pair of Magic5 custom-printed goggles from a 3D face scan. I have high hopes.