Having read the comments bemoaning younger people in the pools I'd like to make an observation from another angle. Whilst children playing (nothing wrong with that btw) can be frustrating if you are serious about swimming for exercise or as a sport, adult behaviour can be equally disruptive.

I have encountered problems taking my nine year old son lane swimming as it seems to be the thought of grown ups that the swimming pool is their preserve only. Twice we were told by staff that he couldnt go in during lane swimming and on several occasions we've had tut-tutting and comments from other users, that we should wait until the general swim.

Yet the point is that he wants to lane swim because he enjoys it and because it supports his other sports. He is a good enough swimmer to do so in the slow lane and is no slower (indeed often faster & with better technique) than many users of the slow lane. I often see people swimming in inappropriate lanes that they are too fast or too slow for.

So my point would be that rather than adult only sessions, basing it on ability & behaviour could be better. Perhaps better lane discipline by the swimmers (it happens in other pools) and better enforcement of it by staff would then allow children / young people to lane swim if they so desire.