Over 200 parents queued from 5.30am yesterday in a bid to enrol their children for swimming lessons at Templeogue College swimming pool in Dublin.
Between 500 and 600 parents also called the pool management inquiring about lessons for their children over the past few weeks, according to swimming pool manager Martin McGann.
Of those who turned up yesterday, about half failed to secure a place for their children, said Mr McGann.
He explained there was a total of 134 places in five different swimming categories, with the biggest demand for beginners' classes.
By the end of the day there were some places left but only for the advanced classes.
He said the 500 to 600 who called in recent weeks were advised to go to the college yesterday morning to book directly.
Mr McGann said there was a "massive, massive problem" with availability of swimming pools for children's lessons in the south Dublin area.
He said this was due in part to the closure of Terenure College swimming pool and Dundrum community pool.
Rathmines community swimming pool is also due to close next summer. Dublin City Council said plans for the site were currently out for public consultation, and it would be rebuilt and reopened following the planning process. When reopened, the swimming pool site would also include a gym and creche facilities.
Dundrum community pool closed over a year ago. However, funds have been secured to rebuild the pool, according to Richard Shakespeare of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
"We have secured €3.8 million from the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and €1.9 million from the levy scheme. We are interviewing consultants this week, and construction will have begun by this time next year," said Mr Shakespeare.
Michael O'Neill, manager of Terenure College, said yesterday that the school's swimming pool closed last year as it was in need of refurbishment.
He said since then the school had developed a financial plan and hoped to reopen the pool, making it available to members of the public as well as Terenure College students and the Terenure College swimming club.
Every three months Templeogue College swimming pool invites parents to enrol their children for lessons.
Over the past five years there have been huge queues, but yesterday was "by far the worst", said Mr McGann.
One reason for the shortage of swimming pools providing lessons for children is because they are expensive to run.