Cold-water swimming returns to Lido Ponty from 24 October
Lido Ponty will reopen for weekend cold-water swimming from 24 October to 28 November. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council says tickets will go on sale at 9am on Monday 5 October.
Cold-water season
- First session
- 24 October
- Final weekend
- 28 November
- Pool temperature
- 15C
- Minimum age
- 16
The outdoor pools will be cooled to 15C for the six-week programme. Sessions are open to people aged 16 and over, and swimmers may wear hats, mittens, booties or wetsuits.
What swimmers need to know
A booking covers the session rather than a fixed time in the water, so visitors can choose a short dip or remain for the full slot. Indoor changing rooms and showers will be heated, while the outdoor showers will remain available.
The council has not included session times or ticket prices in its announcement. Those details should be checked on the Lido Ponty booking page when sales open.
A record summer at the lido
More than 110,000 swimming visits were recorded during the 2026 summer season, according to the council. That is a count of visits rather than unique swimmers. The authority has not published a comparison with the previous summer.
Councillor Scott Emanuel said cold-water swimming began as a pilot and had grown into a regular seasonal offer. After the November sessions, the lido is due to close briefly before its Boxing Day and New Year's Day events.