All of the water-based sports clubs the Star spoke to said the lack of space had affected their sport in some way.
Dunedin Triathlon Club president Lindsay Dey said his club would be without a dedicated swimming lane for a month.
Members training for triathlons would still be able to train, but only in the lanes open to the public, Mr Dey said.
Junior athletes and those training for an international triathlon event in Auckland in October were most affected, he said.
"Athletes who are training for those events can continue to train on their own ... but now they can't get the coaching they need," Mr Dey said"The problem could be solved by extending the season of just one of the other pools.
"The demand is there."
Dunedin City Council aquatic services manager Steve Prescott said he understood the frustration felt by the clubs but there was nothing in the short term that could be done.
"We try to meet and cater for everybody's needs but we have limited time and space," Mr Prescott said.
Dunedin City Council's aquatic facilities working party was examining how water-based sports and sporting clubs, like rugby and football, could be catered for.
"It's just as frustrating for us having to decided who gets what and who misses out," he said.
Aquagold synchronised swimming club coach Lisa Daniels said the club was unable to grow because there was not enough space for swimmers and coaches.
"It is actually a safety issue. We can have up to 20 kids in the pool, and when there are so many in such a small space it becomes a big safety issue."
The club has about five hours of pool time a week, but to grow, more time was needed in the larger pools.
