Aqua Action — Attraction in London

Would have been a good experience only IF …

I visited the place yesterday (7th September). I had a very bad experience with one of the lifeguard (Mark). Me and my mum knew swimming off course that’s is why we were allowed. At 1 point my mother (who is a senior citizen) fell in the water and I needed help getting her back on the inflatables. For those who are new to such rides, it is not easy for them to get back up and may need assistance. I asked Mark if he could help me get her back up. All he had to say was - No I cant I. Because it was important for him to sit on top and watch everyone. Fair enough probably his job was to just sit on top and observe. My mother struggled and then I asked another customer to help me get my mum up. It was already 4-5 minutes since she was in the water struggling and panting to come up. At this point Mark casually says ask her to come near me and I will get her up (like he was doing me a favour). Didn’t like his attitude, tone of voice and disregard towards a senior person. Me and the other guy managed to get my already frighten mum up. Once she was up, I brushed it off laughing like it was some silly incident trying to relax her.

In few minutes, I fell in the water and I could see why she was struggling so much to come up. As a first timer, it isn’t easy to come up by yourself. Irrespective of the fact if you are a first timer or whatever, I believe the lifeguards are there to help or support you if you are stuck or need assistance. Of course nobody is going to drown because everybody who enters the water needs to know swimming. Then why do we need lifeguards for ? To just sit and chit chat ? I was literally panicking in the water and I was exhausted. Not everybody is brave enough to be in the dark water with bushes all around and I only realised it when I was in there. My mum was calling out for help and 1 lifeguard who was on the topmost ride whistled looking at Mark to come and help but he didn’t bother to budge !! I kept trying and mum wasn’t able to help me as I am a big girl and my mum is petite. Again another customer came forward to help me. Eventually after a good 5 minutes of struggle and I was up. People from outside the lake were looking as they could see that I was literally panicking and scared.

As soon as I was up, I could see Mark walking towards to me and instead of asking me if I was ok he tells me that I am left with with 1 hour and then casually says I am sorry for not coming before my bad. I told him its done now I am up already what’s the point ! I left within 1 hour whereas I had 2 hours.

All he had to do was come pull us up and leave. 2 minutes and the job is done ! Instead he sat there chatting with everybody giggling and doing small talks which is a good hospitality but not when someone is struggling in the water.

When I called the centre on Tuesday, I was very pleased with Jame’s (one of the managers) professionalism and keenness. The receptionist (beard guy) was amazing and helpful too and these were the only pleasant experience I had and definitely I wouldn’t return back to Aqua Action. Shame on such lifeguards who would sit and watch people struggle but not come...

I was a little apprehensive at first but we had a great time. Yes the lake is very dirty and it has algae but overall it was a great day out. Staff were great. There are changing rooms, male, female and group. They're not the biggest but they have toilets, hot showers and an area to change. It's not very private but the facilities are there. The car park is very close by. You get a wetsuit and a life jacket included. The lockers are free you just need a padlock. We had wet/swimming shoes which are a really good idea as you have to walk to the lake and back (short walk) to changing rooms and there are stones and pebbles. Plus they are helpful on the inflatables as you don't slip. The ones aquabounce sell are more like nonslip wet socks. I think 90 mins would be ideal instead of 55 as you can get around at leisure instead of rushing. Some of the handles on the big pillar inflatables were broken so not very helpful when you're trying to get around them without falling. 2/3 of the mats were deflated...and the pillow you jump on and someone jumps into the air wasn't inflated enough to be able to properly use it which was a shame as the kids really were looking forward to it. Would we all go again....yes we would. Shame the weather wasn't better for us as this would be lovely in the sun...not an outing for...

Disgraceful company, unprofessional staff and service We arrived for our booking before our timeslot today to find the lake shut. A member of aqua action staff saw us and ignored us until we eventually gained his attention. We asked if it was closed and he actually proceeded to laugh, look at his colleague and say “what should we tell them”. His attempt at an excuse was that an email was sent to all customers who had booked 1 or 2 days ago (he didn’t even know) When we all checked our emails and confirmed we had not received anything he had no response for us or advice on how to proceed. When we continued asking about a refund his only response was to email someone higher up and ask them. Funnily enough i checked the website last night to see if there was anything about dress code and there was nothing on the website about it being closed. It seems they have only put up a notice this morning , and from all the other reviews you can tell they’ve been shut for 2 weeks but are still allowing people to book ! We only booked this last week and they have been closed since before then. Seems like they are just scamming people. They are only offering to reschedule , but they close for the autumn in...