Swim with us

Swimmers of all levels of swimming ability and confidence are welcome to join us.  Our coached sessions always have at least two lanes – faster and slower – and you can slot in the lane that suits you best.

If you’re an absolute total beginner though – you might like to go to a learn to swim class first.   (Wellington City Council runs classes for people of all ages, and we’ve also run our own from time to time.)

We welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.  Both pools we swim at have male and female designated changing areas.  In addition there are private non-gendered family change cubicles at Kilbirnie, and individual self-contained changing/toilet cubicles at the Aquadome.   While swimming you can wear a swimsuit (in any of the many different styles available), bikini or tankini (bikini with tank top) or shorts ending above the knee.  Pools do not allow underwear, cotton or denim clothing or loose-fitting clothing.

Swim Times

Monday, 7:30-8.30pm @ WRAC (Kilbirnie Pool)
Location: Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre
Coached session in two 25m lanes.

Thursday, 7:00-8.00pm @ The Aquadome (at Wellington East Girls’ College)
Location: https://www.cityswim.co.nz/about-the-aquadome
Coached session in three 25m lanes.

Occasional social swims and Ocean Swimming
See the Facebook Group for details
See if anyone has posted in Facebook that they’re going to Freyberg Pool on a Sunday afternoon, or that they’re going off for an ocean swim, or put a post up yourself to say you’re going.

Swimming Locations

Mondays are at Kilbirnie Pool (Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre: WRAC)

Parking is available in the pool car park on on the street.
There are regular buses from town – Routes 2, 12e, 14 and 36 stop at the pool.


Thursdays are at the Aquadome (at Wellington East Girls’ College)
Go up the drive which goes to the right of all the buildings.  The pool is the second to last building on the left – it’s a big white tent-like building:

At the time we swim in the evening there is parking is available at the end of the drive near the pool.
If coming by bus take the 1, 12, 23 or 29 and get off on Cambridge Terrace just before the Basin Reserve Cricket Ground.  It’s a short walk up the hill from there.

[Note the pin in the map below shows the entrance to the School – the pool itself is right up the drive towards the south end of the grounds]

Important note: Unlike Kilbirnie Pool, there are no lifeguards on duty at the Aquadome.  The coach will keep a watch on all swimmers from the poolside, but swimmers should be aware that they swim at their own risk. 

Exclusion Dates

These are the exclusion dates when the pool is not available due to holidays or other bookings.  We will aim to remind swimmers of these dates via Facebook.  Some sessions may be rescheduled to an alternative swim location.

2022 Exclusion dates

First swim Monday 10 January (Kilbirnie)

Mon 24 Jan (Wellington Anniversary Day)
Mon 7 Feb (Waitangi Day observed)
Mon 18 April (Easter Monday)
Mon 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Mon 6 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Mon 24 October (Labour Day)

Last swim Thursday 15 December (Aquadome), resume Monday 9 January 2023 (Kilbirnie)

2023 dates:  First swim Monday 9 January (Kilbirnie), last swim Monday 18 December (Kilbirnie), resume Monday 15 January 2024 (Kilbirnie)

2023 Exclusion dates

Mon 23 Jan (Wellington Anniversary Day)
Mon 6 Feb (Waitangi Day)
Mon 19 April (Easter Monday)
Mon 5 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Mon 23 October (Labour Day)

Up to date Kilbirnie Pool information is here: WRAC Information
and for Freyberg Pool information is here: Freyberg Information

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