Health & Safety Statement
Our aim is for you to have a safe and enjoyable experience at the National Aquatic Centre. If you plan to visit and especially if you are supervising young children, it is important to read this information carefully. If, after reading it, you are still in doubt about anything, contact a member of staff who will be glad to assist you.
Basic House Rules
- All children under 8 must be supervised in the water by a responsible adult at all times, with a maximum of 2 under 8’s per adult.
- All child non-swimmers must wear buoyancy aids which are available for purchase. Adult non swimmers are also advised to wear armbands if entering deep water.
- Currents in the Action River (1.2m/4ft 3ins deep) come on without warning and weak or non swimmers and small children are advised to wear buoyancy aids.
- The depth of the Wave Pool varies when waves are being used. Again, weak or non-swimmers and small children should use buoyancy aids.
- There is no diving permitted in any part of the Leisure Pool. Diving is only permitted in the central part of the main pool, where the depth is 2.4metres. Diving is not permitted in the variable depth end sections of the main pool. The diving boards are only available during supervised sessions.
- Whilst every care has been taken in the design of the National Aquatic Centre to ensure that surfaces are slip resistant, care should be taken on wet floors - NO RUNNING
- Glass bottles, chewing gum and smoking are not permitted in the National Aquatic Centre.
- The use of diving masks, goggles with removable lenses and flippers are not permitted during public sessions.
Pool Layouts
Main Pool
This is a 50 metre international standards swimming pool, but which can be reconfigured using moving booms and variable depth floors to create two or three pools within the same pool tank. When in 50 metre mode, the water is always 2.4 metres deep. When smaller pools are created, the central section remains at 2.4 metres but the end sections may be set to a shallower depth. Please check for the depth on the red illuminated display opposite each pool before entering the water. Diving from the poolside is only permitted in the deep central section.
Diving Pool
This pool is equipped with a full set of boards and platforms to international standards. Diving takes place under supervised conditions only. Casual use of the boards is not permitted. The depth of this pool varies from 5 metres for diving, to shallower depths, when used for other purposes. Please check for the depth on the red illuminated display opposite the pool before entering the water.
Leisure Pool
When you enter the pool area, familiarise yourself with its layout, paying particular attention to the location of features and depths. The deepest water in the pool is 1.5 metres, when static, but , in the Wave Pool, this increases when waves are created.
There are many features and parents of young children are asked to ensure that they know their whereabouts at all times.
Pirate Ship and Lagoon
This feature is intended for the use of children under the age of 10 and accompanying adults. Children under 4 years of age should be directly supervised by their accompanying adult. Older children are not permitted. Please observe the rules displayed at the Lagoon.
Wave Machine
The wave machine slopes from a beach entry to 1.5 metres deep. A high pitched alarm sounds before waves commence, at which time weak swimmers and non-swimmers are advised to move to shallow water. All swimmers should obey lifeguard instruction and remain clear of the wave generator grille at the deep end of the pool.
Action River
The action River is 120 metres long with a consistent depth of 1.2 metres. A current flows in a clockwise direction and any non-swimmer or weak swimmer who may be out of their depth must wear a buoyancy aid. The Action River should be entered only from the Wave Pool or from the access steps. Jumping or diving from the side is strictly forbidden.
Bubble Pool
The Action River flows alongside a Bubble Pool which also contains a geyser. Adults accompanying small children should be aware of the pool depth and the currents which are created by moving water.
Flow Rider
This is a surf machine which is ridden either lying face down or kneeling on a ‘boogie board’. Standing on a ‘boogie board’ is potentially dangerous and must not be attempted. Only one rider at a time is permitted in the Flow Rider and the lifeguard’s instructions should be obeyed at all times.
Flumes
The Dark Hole and the Master Blaster are ‘thrill rides’ and the Green Giant is rather more gentle.
General rules for flume riding include:
- Only go on a green traffic light or when instructed by the lifeguard.
- Do not wear jewellery or other sharp objects.
- Do not use if you have a heart or back condition or are pregnant.
- Ride as indicated on the signage by the flumes.
- Adhere to height restrictions.
- Only one person at a time (except in Master Blaster double tubes).
- Caution must be exercised on the staircase - use the handrail.
- Do not attempt to stop in the flume once the ride has commenced.
- Do not attempt to leave a Master Blaster tube once in motion.
- The Dark Hole is not suitable for use with armbands.
Please note - Due to the delicate nature of many modern costume fabrics, the management cannot accept responsibility for any damage to costumes from the use of the features of the pools, where this is not attributable to their negligence.
Health & Tonezone
The Health & ToneZone is available to full members only. Access is by swipe card at the entrance door just beyond the turnstiles. Family members may use the changing facilities for their children but persons under 17 years of age may not use the fitness facilities or the sauna, bubble pool or steam room.
Fitness suite
For 17 year olds and above, an induction is required before your first use to ensure your safety and to help you to get the most from the ‘Fit Linxx’ monitoring system.
In the interests of hygiene and in consideration of other customers, please use your towel to wipe down each piece of equipment after you have finished using it.
Health suite
This is a unisex area and swim costumes should be worn at all times.
Bubble pool
The Bubble pool is pre-programmed to operate for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, to ensure the best possible water quality. Its use is reserved to adult members only. Entry is by the steps - no diving or jumping in.
Sauna and steam room - Again, this area is reserved to adult full members only - i.e. 17 years and above.
- Leave the sauna or steam room if you feel faint, weak or dizzy.
- Keep clear of heat sources - i.e. sauna stove and steam outlets.
- Shaving is not allowed in the sauna or steam rooms.
- Do be considerate of other users.
Use of Lockers
Lockers are provided for the safe storage of customers’ possessions. Leaving belongings in a changing cubicle is not secure and invites theft. Instructions for the use of lockers are shown on the inside of the locker doors. It is the responsibility of customers to safeguard their locker key. It is also advisable to leave jewellery at home.
The management of the National Aquatic Centre will not be liable for losses sustained which are not attributable to an act of negligence on their part.
A returnable €1 coin is required to operate the lockers.
What to Bring
When visiting the National Aquatic Centre, please bring the following:
- Your armbands if you are a non-swimmer or weak swimmer (Arm bands are available for purchase if required).
- €1 coin for operating your locker (returnable).
- Swimming costume and towel (These are available for purchase if required).
- A swim hat, which should be worn at all times when in the pools (also available to purchase, if required).
