Plymouth Active Leisure welcomes new Head of Aquatics and celebrates Swim Safe success in Britain’s Ocean City

Plymouth Active Leisure is delighted to announce the appointment of Chloe Scott as our new Head of Aquatics, bringing exceptional experience in developing both grassroots and elite aquatic talent. Chloe joins at a time when swimming and water safety are more important than ever in Britain’s Ocean City—home to the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

This summer, Swim Safe sessions at the iconic Tinside Lido, delivered in partnership with Swim England and the RNLI, have empowered hundreds of local children with vital open water safety skills. Situated at the heart of the UK’s first National Marine Park, these sessions ensure young people can safely enjoy Plymouth’s beautiful but often challenging coastal waters.

The success of Swim Safe followed World Drowning Prevention Day on 25th July—a global campaign raising awareness of drowning as a preventable cause of death. Alongside our strategic partners, we reaffirmed our commitment to reducing risk through high-quality, accessible water safety education held at Tinside Lido

Tinside Lido has also been evolving as a community youth hub, offering a free Monday evening youth night for young people aged 11 to 18, creating a safe, welcoming space to enjoy the water over the summer season. In addition, our brand-new internal space is now hosting digital workshops led by Plymouth City Council’s community youth team—helping young people develop skills both in and out of the water.

“Water is woven into the history, identity, and future of Plymouth — and it’s the same for Plymouth Active. Our work begins and ends with the water, from teaching the youngest swimmers to supporting elite athletes who represent our city on the national stage. I’m delighted to have Chloe joining us to help drive forward our vision of making aquatics accessible, inspiring, and world-class for everyone in Britain’s Ocean City,” said Rhys Jones, Chief Executive of Plymouth Active Leisure.

Alongside operating the waterfront pools at Tinside Lido and Mount Wise Swimming Pools, the jewel in the city’s aquatics crown is the Plymouth Life Centre. Situated at the heart of the city, this nationally acclaimed facility boasts a 50-metre Olympic swimming pool and a 10-metre Olympic dive pool. It has hosted elite athletes and major competitions while offering inclusive programmes for all ages—from baby-and-parent classes and adult lessons to elite training pathways that nurture talent right here in Britain’s Ocean City.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting elite talent in the city, Plymouth Life Centre is proud to welcome Olympian Tonia Couch back—this time as a coach. A former British diving star and three-time Olympian, Tonia represented Great Britain at the Beijing, London, and Rio Olympic Games, achieving multiple top-10 finishes and inspiring a generation of divers. Her return marks a significant milestone in strengthening Plymouth’s world-class diving heritage and nurturing the next generation of talent. We are also proud to celebrate the achievements of local athletes Oliver Heath, Amelia Underwood, and Harry Westbury, who have been selected for the Swim England Junior Development Squad, while Euan McCabe and Oliver have also earned places on the Aquatics GB World Class Programme—demonstrating the strength of Plymouth’s pathway from community participation to international success.

Councillor Sue Dann, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, said: “As Britain’s Ocean City and home to the UK’s only National Marine Park we want everyone to enjoy being in and on the water – whether they are just dipping their toes in for the first time, experienced sea-swimmers or our most promising young athletes.

“We are proud to have built a strong reputation for our aquatics programmes, from teaching children and adults how to swim and giving them the confidence and skills they need to stay safe to nurturing the city’s best swimming and diving talent through high-performance coaching.

“We know that Chloe brings huge experience, as well as a genuine passion for making aquatics and our local blue spaces accessible to everyone. Under her direction and leadership we are sure to go from strength to strength.

“It is also fantastic to welcome Tonia back, as a brilliant ambassador not just for her sport but for Plymouth and to see her now coaching our future generations of divers in the pool where she herself trained.”

Plymouth Active Leisure is proud to be part of a community that embraces water safety, skill development, and enjoyment. Through our strong partnerships and diverse programmes, we remain dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of swimming while safeguarding our community and celebrating the unique aquatic environment we are privileged to call home.