There’s water water everywhere…no, we’re not talking about rain on this occasion…but the Waves Leisure Pool at Torquay’s Riviera International Centre which is to open longer for the rest of the summer to meet the increased demand from swimmers and holidaymakers fed up with the bad weather.

Usually there are around 150 swimmers a day who use the Waves pool increasing to 250 to 500 at weekends. But with the start of the children’s summer holidays combined with the continuous bad weather the numbers have already and are likely to shoot up to around the 1500 a day mark.

Operations manager Jenny Thompson explained that the pool is normally shut afternoons between Mondays to Thursday to cater for organised swimming classes and only opens late on a Wednesday and Friday evening.

But bosses have decided to open late every night which will mean increasing the number of staff and lifeguards to 25 from the normal 14 required during the quieter winter months.

In addition to locals and holidaymakers, Waves also attracts large numbers of foreign students – up to 200 at a time – who enjoy the fun and excitement of the pool.

In preparation for the busy children’s holidays, Neptune’s Galley has launched a new healthier menu and it will also be increasing its opening days from four to seven a week.

Jenny’s tip…….Waves is very busy and very popular so it’s always advisable to call first to check out the precise opening times. The number to ring is (01803) 299 992.