This book tells the story of a two year research study of young adult women and their leisure with specific reference to swimming. The book explains the study area and then provides a theoretical overview and gives an extensive review on the literature on women and leisure. The next part of the book critically assesses the provision, planning and management of publically provided facilities for leisure and more specifically describes the growth, developemnt and provision for swimming. The methodology on which this study was based is then explained and the key findings are reported. In the final section of the book a number of practical and realistic recommendations are provided for the policy, planning and management of public leisure facilities.