We had been disappointed that during our stay at the Stamford Grand Hotel in Glenelg, Adelaide that the hotel offers no method of  getting anywhere near the swimming pool (despite the hotel offering wheelchair accessible rooms). Only steps up to the pool area. 

Stamford Grand Hotel Glenelg - no pool access at all

We decided to find a public swimming pool that might be able to accommodate my needs.

Well, all I can say is that the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Oaklands Park was the best experience I have ever had. The Centre is recognised as a training centre for Paralympians, and the facilities are second to none for those with mobility and other challenges.

A large changing room with drop-down table and ceiling track hoist greets the visitors to the centre as well as two other large wet rooms which are plenty large enough to take the wet wheelchairs and trolleys. All these changing/shower rooms have oodles of space for wheelchairs as well as swimmers and carers - you are not falling over each other!

The amount of mobility equipment the Centre provides is an inspiration. There are wet wheelchairs and trolleys which can be altered to multiple configurations . The gentle slope into the pool allows the swimmer to be gently floated out of the chair or trolley into the water - no need to worry about hoists and slings.

There's a diving and 50m pool too

It is obvious how popular the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Oaklands Park is judging by the amount of people using these very special facilities, but at no time did it feel overloaded .

Big thanks go to Claudia Dumbill one of the managers, for being so welcoming and positive, and showing us around!

If only we had such facilities in the UK, where I Iive. One and a half hours in the water for me was a record! Thank you SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre.