Terms & Conditions

Including Sauna & Plunge Pool Terms  ·  Last updated: September 2026

These Terms & Conditions apply to all visitors to Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool (COASP), including use of the main swimming pool and the sauna and plunge pool facilities. By purchasing a ticket, season ticket, or booking a session, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. We reserve the right to change these Terms & Conditions at any time.

1. Swimming Pool Safety

• In emergencies, clear the pool immediately and follow lifeguard instructions.
• Diving is only permitted in designated areas. Never dive into shallow water.
• Follow all lifeguard instructions to maximise enjoyment of your visit.
• Only swim in appropriate lanes for your speed level; lifeguards may ask you to change lanes.

2. Appropriate Swimwear

• All swimmers must wear appropriate swimwear that is safe, clean, and respects the dignity of customers and staff.
• Swimming costumes should offer appropriate cover with adequate thickness of linings.

Swimming shorts should be:

• Made of lightweight material (no denim)
• Have adequate thickness of linings
• Include a gusset
• Provide appropriate coverage
• Additional garments specifically for swimming may be worn over swimwear.
• Restrictive or ill-fitting clothing is not permitted.

3. Health & Hygiene

• Do not swim for at least 48 hours after suffering vomiting or diarrhoea.
• If diagnosed with cryptosporidium, do not swim for 14 days after diarrhoea symptoms have stopped.
• Babies and toddlers should use aqua nappies (available for purchase at the tuck shop).

4. Booking & Attendance

• Season ticket holders, if unable to attend, should cancel or transfer bookings via the online portal.
• Season ticket holders failing to attend a booked session 3+ times within any 30-day period will result in loss of advanced booking rights for 7 days.
• No refunds for General Swims, Aqua Aerobics, Night Swims, Dawn Swims or other special events are offered except at the Pool Manager's discretion.
• No refunds or transfers due to poor weather unless the pool is forced to close (24 hours' notice required).

5. Season Ticket Holders

• You must bring your Season Ticket on every visit.
• Failure to produce your Season Ticket may result in paying full price.

6. Changing Rooms & Property

• Children under 8 may change in the changing room of their accompanying parent/adult.
• COASP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to users' property.
• Items left in lockers at day's end will be removed and stored.
• Found items are kept for up to four weeks before disposal.
• For hygiene reasons, underwear, hairbrushes, combs, etc. are not kept.

7. Behaviour & Pool Rules

• COASP maintains a 3-strike behaviour policy. Swimmers will receive 2 verbal warnings for breaching rules. On the 3rd warning, they will be asked to leave the site for the safety of themselves and other users.
• COASP reserves the right to ban any customer who breaches our behaviour or pool rules. No refunds will be issued for individual sessions, swim cards, or season tickets in the event of a ban.
• Physical and verbal abuse towards staff and volunteers will not be tolerated and is grounds for immediate removal from site. All serious behaviour incidents should be reported to the duty officer/manager on site.
• Should a situation escalate, staff will not hesitate to call 999.

Prohibited Activities:

• Leaving children under the age of 8 unsupervised at any time, either in the water or anywhere on site
• Running in/around the pool and changing areas
• Bombing into the water (uncontrollable jumps)
• Spinning or twisting into the water
• Diving from anywhere except the deep end of the main pool where water depths allow
• Back diving
• Use of stereos (exception for aqua sessions)
• Heavy/hard balls
• Acrobatics or gymnastics, including but not limited to somersaults and cartwheels
• Ducking or holding people under the water
• Pushing
• Swearing
• Bullying, intimidation, or aggression
• Eating in or near the pool
• Climbing on the metal railings around the pool
• Standing on the benches around poolside
• Standing on well area and sitting on planters
• Swimming under water for long periods
• Snorkelling equipment during general sessions (mask, snorkel, fins)
• Boisterous or rough play, pushing, acrobatics, dunking, wrestling, splashing, diving or jumping without care and caution, snapping of towels, improper conduct causing undue disturbances on or about the pool area or any acts which would endanger any patron
• Hanging onto lane ropes, which may result in breakage of equipment or a swimmer going out of depth
• Sitting on shoulders
• Any activity which may cause harm to swimmer or surrounding public
• Glass bottles or containers are not permitted

8. Drink and Drugs Policy

• No smoking or vaping is allowed anywhere on site.
• Alcohol may not be consumed or brought on site.
• Zero-alcohol labelled products are prohibited.
• Customers suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed on site and will be asked to leave by management.

9. Nappy Policy

• All babies and young children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim nappy.
• Nappies must be disposed of in marked nappy bins or taken home.

10. Lane Swimming

• During lane swim sessions, swimmers must be able to swim 27m confidently.
• Swimmers must leave the site 15 minutes after the final whistle.

11. Health, Fitness & Medical Conditions

This section applies to use of the swimming pool, sauna and plunge pool at COASP.

• Use of our facilities involves physical activity and carries an inherent risk of injury, particularly where instructions are not followed.
• Guests must be reasonably fit and healthy, and capable of safely taking part in their chosen activity.
• If you are pregnant or suspect you may be, we advise you to seek medical advice before using the pool, sauna or plunge pool.

Before your visit, you should seek medical advice if you have, or have recently experienced, any condition that could affect your ability to participate safely. This includes, but is not limited to:

• A medical condition requiring medication to be carried during your visit
• Recent surgery
• Heart conditions
• Epilepsy, recent fits or blackouts
• Severe or recurring dizziness or vertigo
• Diabetes
• Any other chronic underlying medical condition
• Where appropriate, please inform a lifeguard or member of staff of your condition before taking part.
• Additional medical guidance specific to the sauna and plunge pool is set out in Section 12.2.
• COASP reserves the right to refuse participation where we reasonably believe that taking part would present a safety risk.

12. Sauna & Plunge Pool

This section sets out additional terms that apply specifically to use of the sauna and plunge pool at COASP. All other sections of these Terms & Conditions — including Section 7 (Behaviour & Pool Rules) and Section 8 (Drink and Drugs Policy) — apply equally to the sauna and plunge pool area. Cancellations and refunds for sauna and plunge pool sessions are governed by Section 4 (Booking & Attendance) above; no separate refund terms apply.

12.1 Responsibilities

• Guests are responsible for following the safety procedures outlined in this policy.
• Staff are responsible for ensuring that guests are aware of the safety procedures and that they are following them.

12.2 Medical

Use of the sauna and plunge pool is at your own risk. This is in addition to the general health guidance in Section 11. We ask that you contact your GP if at all in doubt about safely using the sauna or plunge pool. If any of the below apply to you (this is not a comprehensive list), we advise you to seek your GP's advice before taking part:

• If you're pregnant or suspect you are
• If you've had a heart attack or stroke
• If you're taking any medications
• If you have cardiovascular conditions or problems
• You have epilepsy
• You have asthma or breathing conditions
• High or low blood pressure
• If you have arterial disease
• If you have a joint or muscle injury
• You have metal pins, rods, artificial joints or any other surgical implants
• You have diabetes
• You have any chronic underlying medical condition
• You have any undiagnosed symptoms
• Do not use the sauna or plunge pool if you have open wounds, sores, or a skin condition that could be aggravated by heat or cold-water immersion.

By using the sauna or plunge pool, you are confirming that you, and everyone in your group, have considered this advice. COASP cannot accept responsibility for guests with the above conditions or in the above situations who choose to take part.

12.3 Safety

• Exposure to hot equipment, slippery surfaces caused by water, ice, snow, or other substances, hot temperatures, airborne illnesses, and contaminants is undertaken at your own risk.
• COASP takes no responsibility for the damage or loss of guests' property in the sauna or plunge pool area. Please leave valuables at home or use the lockers provided.
• Remove all jewellery, glasses and contact lenses before entering the sauna.
• Allow your body to cool down after exercise before entering the sauna.
• Do not wear or use your own products or lotions inside the sauna, as they may contain ingredients that can be harmful or slippery.
• Our sauna is wood-fired. The stove, flue and stones remain dangerously hot during and after use — do not touch them at any time. Only trained staff are permitted to handle the stove.
• We reserve the right to refuse entry to guests who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in line with Section 8.
• Guests should always listen to their bodies and stop using the sauna or plunge pool if they feel uncomfortable.
• Anyone using the plunge pool is at their own risk. Please ask a member of staff for guidance on cold-water exposure safety tips.
• Please report any damage or fault with the sauna or its equipment to a member of staff immediately. Do not attempt to repair or adjust the equipment yourself.

12.4 Age Requirement

• The sauna and plunge pool are for guests aged 16 and over only.
• We do not admit anyone under the age of 16 to this area, including when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Proof of age may be requested. Guests who appear to be under 16 and cannot provide valid ID may be refused entry to this area.

12.5 Etiquette

• Drink water before, during and after your session.
• Wash your feet in the bucket provided before entering the sauna and plunge pool.
• Sit on a towel at all times in the sauna.
• Stay in the sauna for no longer than 20 minutes at a time (we recommend 5–15 minute sessions).
• Stay in the plunge pool for no longer than 5 minutes at a time (we recommend 1–2 minute sessions).
• We recommend cooling down for at least 5 minutes before entering the plunge pool.
• Do not pour water on the sauna stones/heater — this can damage the heater and cause the session to end early. This is only to be done by a member of staff.
• Please behave respectfully towards fellow guests at all times, in line with Section 7.

12.6 Emergencies

• In the event of a fire, guests should evacuate the area immediately and call 999.
• In the event of a medical emergency, guests should notify staff immediately. Staff will call 999 and provide first aid as needed.

12.7 Equipment & Damage

• Guests are asked to treat the sauna, stove and all equipment with care and to use it only as instructed by staff.
• Where damage is caused to sauna or plunge pool equipment as a result of deliberate misuse, inappropriate behaviour, or failure to follow instructions, COASP reserves the right to recover the reasonable cost of repair or replacement from the guest responsible, in line with Section 7.

12.8 Signage

• Signage is posted in the sauna and plunge pool area reminding guests of the above safety procedures.

13. Photography & Video

• COASP does not use photography or video of guests for promotional or marketing purposes without their consent.
• Operational and safety-related photography or video (for example, CCTV or incident records) may still be captured where necessary and is not affected by this policy.
• If a member of our team asks to photograph or film you or your group for promotional use, this will only go ahead with your clear agreement, and you are free to decline at any time.

Contact Information

Email: pool.manager@cirenopenair.org.uk

Address: Riverside Walk, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2EF

Phone: 01285 653947

Registered Charity: 1158739