MIXED POND NEWS

END OF 2025 SEASON PARTY

Sunday September 28th was the date for the Mixed Pond Association's End Of Summer tea party, thanking the lifeguards for their work throughout the year and celebrating another year of pond swimming.

CELEBRATING A SUMMER OF  SWIMMING

​The afternoon drizzle did not prevent our own improptu synchronised swimming team from displaying thier skills - and their elegant and fashionable headware.

Association AGM 2025 - Minutes 

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​The Affordable Swimming Campaign of 2023:
Concessions Survey  Shows What's Needed
​​Many swimmers who are eligible for a free morning swim in the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds don’t take advantage of that benefit because they would need to use public transport to get there and are put off by the bus and tube fares, according to the latest survey of pond users and would-be pond users. The survey also showed that many who would prefer to swim later in the day and are eligible for a 40% discount on the pond-entry fee avoid the ponds because they consider even the concessionary price to be unaffordable.
 
The three pond-users associations—HMPA, KPLA and MPA—conducted the survey in September and are using the results to lobby the City of London for three changes:

1. Extend the 7 am-to-9:30 am free swim for those under 16 years old and over 60 so they can travel to the Heath after the morning rush, when they’re eligible to ride free on buses and trains.
2. Restore concessionary charges to a 50% discount.
3. Allow concessionary charges to be paid in instalments.

We presented these findings to the City’s Hampstead Heath Sports and Wellbeing Forum and await the City's response.
 
The survey was conducted between 20 and 29 September 2023 and drew 515 responses from the approximately 1,800 members of the three pond-user associations.
 
Here is a synopsis of the results:

• 45.6% (235) of respondents were eligible for an age related free swim, of whom 59.1% (139) made use of the free swim and 40.9% (96) did not.
• Of these 96 respondents, 53.1% would be more likely to swim or swim more often if a suitable time slot were available.

Reasons cited by the 96 respondents for not using the free swim before 9.30 am (they could tick multiple options) included

• public transport costs before 9.30 am (35.4%),
• health/disability (12.5%), parking costs (8.3%) 
• caring responsibilities (4.2%). 

Those swimming later, out of preference rather than necessity, seem to number about 30, based on responses written in; some cited combined health and travel needs—for example, trying to avoid crowded public transport before 9.30 am.

• 50.3% of all respondents (259) would be eligible for a concession under the current arrangements, of whom 79.2% (205) made use of one.
• Of the 54 who did not use their potential concession, 24.1% said the concessionary price was not affordable.  11.1% did not want to share their personal data with the City and 7.4% did not want to share it with Loylap.  3.7% could not evidence their eligibility. 
• Of the 205 who pay concession prices, 64.9% said it was usually affordable. 15.6% do not swim as often, 13.2% thought the 6/12 month season ticket was too long to commit, 12.2% said the up-front price was too much, 8.3% only swim occasionally and 4.4% are assisted by family/friends.

In respect of possible additional concessions, 55.7% of all respondents thought they would be unlikely to qualify for any further concession. Concessions for those on low and irregular income were supported by 17.3%, no recourse to public funds by 6%, carer by 5.6%, under 18 NEET by 2.5% and care leaver under 25 years by 2.5%.  Additional possibilities written in included keyworker/NHS/charity employees and those on statutory maternity pay or unpaid maternity leave.