Anyone been to the Aquatics Centre?

moosetastic

Hi everyone, me and my party have tickets to see the swimming at the Aquatics centre at the Paralympics which we are really looking forward to. however, after reading a blog online, it says that there are something like 15!! flights of stairs to go up to get to the seats where we will be!! Has anyone been during the main olympics to confirm whether this is true? Is there any lifts or other way of accessing? The reason I ask is that my party is made up of 1 who has just had major back surgery, 1 65yr old and 1 73yr old!! 15 flights will probably finish me off as well!! LOL

Anyone got any advice from your experiences? I would appreciate it, thank you x

juliebunny

I haven't been yet (going like you during the paras) but you can see from the TV pics that it's quite steep and some areas do look very high. I guess it depends where your seats are? I would try and contact them directly to see whether any assistance is offered, otherwise leave very early and take it slowly!!

barbarawright

It does say "The climb to the top tiers inside the venue is steep. Take care and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. " I suspect there may be lifts but they might not want to advertise them to people who don't absolutely need them

My seats at the O2 basketball match tomorrow are much the same (we're about 100 yards above the pitch :rotfl:) so I'll keep an eye out for how people are managing - I've got a teenager to lean on :eek:

bazzyb

There are lifts but they don't go all the way up, you can get up to the seats in the 200s (ish) with the lifts but if your seats are numbered in the 300s there will be a few stairs above where the lifts go to.

Singhisking

We went there last Saturday. My mum was able to borrow a wheelchair from them as she has mobility problems. Our seats were located very high up. They told us that we could change our seats and get relocated to seats which would accommodate my mums wheelchair. They also changed my seat so that i could sit next to her. They are very helpful so if members of your group have trouble getting to their seat just ask at the booths located just outside the aquatic centre. Hope you all have a fantastic day like we did.

emg

There were definitely a lot of stairs and it was quite hard work to get up to the top level but when I went there were a lot of spare seats on the lower levels and Im sure they would be able to reseat anyone who was unable to get up to their seat in the gods.

moosetastic

thanks everyone for your messages. we are going to see if we can be moved on the day we go, so fingers crossed!! Thanks for all the advice

bb69

Hi Does anyone know if block 106 has a good view of the swimming pool? Its near the diving pool, but we paid to watch the swimming ha ha

Thanks

moosetastic

just a quick update to say thank you for all the help with my question. We were there yesterday, still not looking forward to the massive climb up the stairs. We had already decided to ask if there was any chance of being moved, however, we didnt have to. When we got there, one of the games makers saw that 2 in my party were elderly and 1 other with a stick, she said "nope, no way, 409 is too much of a hike!", instantly swapped our tickets for 308! Then as we were climbing the stairs, another games maker said, come back here, sit here if you like, no-one else has come but if they do eventually turn up you'll have to move". She sat us on the disabled gantry, overlooking the pool, no-one in our way, and we stayed there for the whole session. Loved every single minute of my experience in the park, at least I can say I was there! Shame its nearly all over really....... x

peachyprice

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