Swimmers Guide: Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre, Leamington Spa

Midland Masters Championships

The centre is at the end of Newbold Comyn park & has a 25m 6 lane competition pool as well as a kids pool with jacuzzi. There is a large spectator area which is separate and isn't directly accessible to the poolside, but swimmers do often sit there. Chairs are provided along the poolside for competitors, but there are not enough for all swimmers.

The changing rooms are single sex with a communal locker area and lockers are £1 refundable.

Catering facilities - Café closed 2011, it was replaced by a variety of vending machines.

Parking - The centre has its own free car park.

The Midland Masters is run over 3 days Fri-Sun.

The Friday is solely for the 400m Freestyle which is run as a mixed event. Saturday and Sunday have all the usual events including relays and all 200m events are mixed.

The main pool is a 6-lane pool with depth round about 6ft to 3ft. The turn has neither a proper gutter or a flat surface, so you are often left with the dilemma of where to place your hands when turning on breast and fly. Some people just grip the top of the pool and this seems to do the trick.

The pool is purposely cooled down to 27C for the meet, but I've noticed that it seems colder on the Sunday than the Saturday, maybe that was just me. It is not the quickest pool in the world but the competition is usually of a high standard as this often makes you swim faster.

The leisure/children's pool is used for swim downs and is open throughout the meet, small children can also use a roped off part of this pool between sessions.

A 2008 programme cost £3 on Friday night reduced to £2 on Sunday.

There is a Swim Shop on Saturday & Sunday which usually has a good bargain bin as well.

Positives

• Good standard of entries.
• All strokes catered for up to 200m.
• 400 metre Freestyle included.

Negatives

• Turns not great for Breaststroke or Fly.
• Pool can be cold come Sunday.

Overall - As with other regional Masters meets the standard is good. A friendly event and a nice pool.