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Swimming

amy77
487
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 19:26

Hi there ladies,

We're moving out to Qatar in early March and I would really like to keep up my swimming.

I really love outdoor swimming, and here in England I prefer to swim in lakes and rivers (and the sea if I get chance).

Are there any outdoor swimming societies in Doha (or do you think I could set one up?!). Is it safe to just go sea swimming on my own, or are there any dangerous currents/critters to worry about?

Alternatively, are there any indoor swimming clubs (Masters clubs) I could join? I am a strong swimmer, but not particularly fast or competitive!

Amy

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leonee
19
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 May 2017 - 12:38
Hello, I will be moving to Doha in August 2017 and I'm just wondering if there is any further update on swimming for females and availability of 25m pools? Thanks Helen Following. We frequent Doha quite a lot, it would be nice to know this too. Thanks for asking :)
Hfly20
1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 April 2017 - 02:45
Hello, I will be moving to Doha in August 2017 and I'm just wondering if there is any further update on swimming for females and availability of 25m pools? Thanks Helen
JillMV
445
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 09:22
Hi Amy, I would really love to get back in the water and don't seem to be doing it on my own. In addition to the sea, I have access to the Education City pool and can bring 1 guest when I go.... Edited to remove email... <em>edited by JillMV on 16/03/2011</em>
nasimindoha
34
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 02:17
you can swim in Cultural village for a membership of 1200 QR yearly... they have a gorgeous beach.. and it does seem pretty safe!
catonclan21976
124
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 March 2011 - 21:09
Try Leasa at AISS at Aspire. They do an adult class I think. The pool they use...go past Aspire Park, through the lift gate at the end, turn right, and then left into the car park. If you park in the far right hand corner, then walk past the 2 or 3 large pool building, keeping them to your right, over a little ramp thing which covers a pipe. There are then entrance doors to the right, don't go there. The pool we are allowed to use is straight on, through couple of sets of double doors. Once inside, small door to right of stairs, through that, through the next door, and there bingo is a large 50m pool, and to left another smaller pool. Not a single sign anywhere!!!! Good luck finding it! I think they do an adult fitness session type thing.
amy77
487
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 March 2011 - 20:49
Hi JillMV, Just to re-bump this thread, are you still interested in getting back into swimming again? I could use a buddy if you're still up for it. I met H2O Swimclub at the American School Spring Fair, and they weren't very welcoming to be honest, also asked me to fill in a form on their website which doesn't make sense for someone who wants to join their adults section. I've also tried and failed twice to find the pool at Aspire! I'm still interested in trying to find a club and/or sea swimming and would love to have a swim buddy! Amy
amy77
487
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 00:00
Thanks everyone, especially JillMV for the tips. I would really like to try and set up an outdoor swimming club when I come out - it may be a bit ambitious, but I'm willing to try! Maybe in the more medium term however.... I think an open water swimming session would really appeal to triathletes too, and from what I have read there is quite a big triathlon scene in Dubai, so maybe it could catch on here too? Anyway Aspire and Qmotion definitely seem worth a look in the short term, and Cultural Village. Thank you so much, Amy
JillMV
445
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 22:31
As mentioned below, Qmotion (formerly Doha Dolpins) definitely used to have a Master's group and as far as I know they still do. H20 swimming does as well. I always have the intention of joining a masters group, but it just never happens. As for open-water swimming,a big concern here is jet-skiers. They seem to be everywhere and have absolutely no regard for anyone in the water. They are reckless and make it dangerous to swim. I went to Cultural Village today. They have a very long beach with a swimming section roped off in the water to keep out the boats/ jet-skis. Unfortunately I didn't pay attention to the distance -- but probably at least 500 meters long. I think it might be a decent place to swim. It is semi-public, so I think you would need to swim in a rash guard and maybe even board shorts or something, but it's by far the best option I can think of. But, it's not free -- you have to pay either QR 100 per day to get on the beach or get a membership. I do know of a few people who were would swim on friday mornings from near the Intercontinental Hotel (the jetskiers come out in the afternoon). I'm not sure if anyone still does that. It might be worth finding a kayak buddy to go along side you. A few people kayak in West Bay Lagoon. If you did try and get something started, I'd be happy to join, but we might be the only two!
Bechamel
217
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 19:01
Many Thanks Greygirl for the information, I've been looking for an Aquafit class since I got here...
Gray Girl
168
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 13:50
There's a 25m and 50m pool at Aspire. There are two options - either enroll for fitness classes and get an aquatic add-on (see link below) where you can join particular aquatic classes or you can get a pool only membership directly at the pool and pay weekly to swim. They have strict women only and men only sessions during daytime and evenings. http://www.aspire.qa/inthecommunity/aspireactivewomen.aspx
katcalls30379
183
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 22:59
Hello, I don't know much about them but you can try Q Motion http://www.qmotion.com.qa/dohadolphins/adults.php?M=adults They have an adults/master class it looks like.
amy77
487
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 21:19
Oh that's disappointing. Although I can live with men staring as long as they don't do any harm. I would normally swim in a rash vest as well, so that might help on the covering up thing? Anyway I won't go alone - so maybe it will have to be a weekend hobby unless I can set up some sort of club. I have found a Masters club at the American School - is anyone on here a member? http://www.h2oswimclub.com/Masters_Programme.html
catonclan21976
124
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 20:10
Sadly MaryCatherine I agree with all you say. Which I think is sad and does not reflect well on the society here. There were issues at one of the hotels which had serviced appartments of men coming into the coffee shop to watch women swimming - I can't think that a handful of mum's and kids would be very titilating but there we are. Within the compounds, you are pretty well OK, and free to wear whatever swim wear you wish. For sure, I would not go to the beaches alone, and certainly not to swim. Possibly you also need to remember that unless refridgerated the pools get too warm to properly swim in, and sea much the same. You may find women only closed swim sessions at Aspire, but I am not sure.
marycatherine
1759
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 20:01
Outdoor swimming might be problematic if you aren't a member of a hotel beach or because you'd have to travel. Public beaches are now effectively nil within the city and suitable beaches outside the city would probably be more comfortable in a group or with your husband as many are frequented by men on the lookout for women alone. At certain times of the year you would have to be careful of jellyfish as well (but that happens around the world, but jellyfish here can be more painful than you are accustomed to). Even if you become a hotel member I would check out their beach facilities carefully for any kind of distance swimming, most are pretty limited in scope - so make sure it will meet your requiremets. I know the Canadian college has a 25 meter pool (but not open to the public) and that there is a swimming pool at Aspire that may suit your needs, but I've never heard of a Master's club = but Aspire might be a place to approach with the suggestion? Swimming for women as an activity or competition is not generally encouraged and mixed gender swimming is generally frowned upon, no matter how innocent it may be - also, there are a large number of men here who would flock to the pool where they were allowed to swim with women merely to gawk (there are also men who would want to go to swim but they would be vastly outnumbered by the former). If you are housed in a compound or an upmarket apt complex you would probably have access to a pool but not a competitive length one.
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