A couple of weeks ago I booked tickets to the Wave in Coventry, which is a swimming pool with rides and a wave machine pool. However, when we got there it was shut! It’s just over an hour’s drive away, and we had to stop for petrol and stop for the toilet, not to mention the times I went wrong, damn the M42! As you can imagine, Charlie had the mother of all meltdowns, even though I did explain we had tickets for a couple of weeks time.

I was dreading taking him, Charlie tends to hold a grudge and remembers when he’s been done wrong, which is always why (in my opinion) any traumatic events affect him worse, because he holds onto that trauma. I had visions of him being confrontational to the staff, or just refusing to go in when we got there. I had such a high level of anxiety which probably didn’t help the situation. Again, I went wrong on the way down but fortunately we knew exactly where the pool was situated and where to park, which took away some of the stress on arriving.

Getting in

The queue was pretty big going in, and that was a little worrying, but they checked the ticket outside whilst queueing and there were signs with the QR code for track and trace in the line too, so that was done. We paid a discounted rate. Both junior disabled and accompanying carer were both at a reduced rate, I believe it was around £5/6 for the both of us it was £11 which was exceptionally reasonable. The website says take proof of disability, we did but it wasn’t checked. There were some disabled spaces alongside the pool, which of course would of made things even more accessible, however, there were no free spaces so we parked in the multi story car park on Salt Lane, it is about 2 minutes walk (directly behind the complex). If you do stay in the car park you can get a discount on parking if you pay inside the Wave. (Handy little hint).

The Wave

The waterpark is park of a multi leisure complex, it has a gym and a spa there too. The waterpark is up several flights of steps, however there is a lift. Because of coronavirus, it was operating at a limited capacity, so the changing area did not feel at all crowded as we went in, or the lockers. The lockers are free and you use the QR code on your wristband to open them. They offer 2 hour slots which was plenty of time. There are toilets and showers before you enter the park, and there are accessible shower chairs and toilets for disabled customers.

On entering, there is a small water play area which looks like it was designed for toddlers/pre-schoolers. A few slides, safe enough for adults, I know this because I went down them! To the left was stairs and to the right a ramp, taking you up to the next level.

The waterpark is operating a one way system and there was no access to food or drink, however, there is a kiosk inside the waterpark itself. The only bit I didn’t see is if there was a way to get up to the slides without using the stairs. The slides were another couple of stories up and Charlie, being afraid of heights refused to go up to go on them, so I didn’t notice whether or not someone with a physical disability was able to go up. However, I did notice 2 hoist chairs, one for the wave pool and one for the lazy river

Wave Pool

The wave pool was great, it was simply that, there was nothing else in there but water and every 15 minutes the waves came on. Charlie got right stuck in and maybe because of the restrictions it was fairly empty. We went twice in the 2 hours we were there and that was enough, however, there were a number of families especially those with young children and babies, that spent the whole time in there.

The Slides

I counted 5 slides, 3 that needed rings and 2 that were just people rides. Of course, there were plenty of rings and there were smallish queues but there were still queues. We didn’t fancy any of the slides, however, I can imagine for an adrenaline junkie it would of been brilliant. Just not for us.

Lazy River

The lazy river was amazing it was probably where we spent 1.5 hours out of the 2 hours we were there. Other than the river, which was standing level for both of us, which helped, there were some lights all the way around that changed the colour of the water. They were bold colours, red, blue, purple and green and changed intermittently which gave such a magical sensory feel. There were coloured buckets that tipped out water, and again had a sensory feel to them. In the centre of the river, there was an area with 4 different functions. At one end there was a jacuzzi style semi circle where you can sit down, a set of waterfalls to give you a neck massage, another jacuzzi style area but this time you can lie down and finally at the top end there was a water fountain out of the water. All really great for sensory feedback. I think that’s why we loved it!!

They have a variety of sessions, one for teens and adults, one for toddlers and of course my favourite a quiet session for those that would benefit from it. These special sessions however, do not run in the school holidays. There was quite loud music too, that may be worth noting. We had a really great afternoon and will definitely go back as a family with my older children. Well worth the drive. And now it’s half term! Lots planned for a change, fingers crossed it goes smoothly.

Love

Georgina x