Rec & Lane Swimming

Drop-in Rec is included within the Recreation Membership. Rec Swims may include Rec & Lane Swims as well as identity-specific swim times. See Drop-in Rec Calendar for weekly availability, schedule is updated weekly every Tuesday.

Length Swims
Lanes are set up in the pool for users to swim laps from one end to the other for a personal workout. Varying swim speed lane options will be available. May take place in either Gold or Red Pool.

Centre lanes are for faster, continuous swimming
Please circle swim unless agreed upon with lane-mates to swim side by side
Slower, lap swimming on each side of fast lanes
Outer lanes for slow/beginner swimmers, and water workouts

Hot Tub open during Gold Pool Length Swims only

Hot Tub will be closed every Wednesday afternoon until Thursday mid-morning for cleaning.
Hot tub will also close during competitive swim meets for safety purposes.

Rec Swims
Fun recreational swim for relaxed swim & play. Identity-specific Rec Swim times provide a safer, braver space for folks to show up, move their bodies & build community. Pool set up will section off shallow water from deep water. Diving board use may be available. Takes place in Red Pool only.

Family Swims
Rec swim style set up. Space and time used to encourage families with young children to swim together. Takes place in Red Pool Only.

Rec Swim Options

LGBTQ2IA+ Swims

Join us for an evening of movement, relaxation, and connection in the water—created for LGBTQ2IA+ folks. This dedicated swim time is a safer, braver space where queer, trans, and gender-diverse individuals can show up authentically, enjoy the pool, and build community together.

Who’s welcome? Any LGBTQ2IA+ person is welcome to attend—whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit, intersex, asexual, questioning, or anywhere under the rainbow umbrella. Allies are welcome to join, but please remember this is an identity-specific space designed for LGBTQ2IA+ folks to feel safe and seen.

What to expect:

Access the changeroom that best aligns with your gender
Transition directly from the changeroom to the pool/hot tub area via the wet corridor
Move your body, relax, or simply hang out in a community-focused space

Questions? Reach out to Stewart at straill@uoguelph.ca.

Let’s create a space where everyone can feel comfortable, respected, and celebrated. Hate of any kind will not be tolerated.

Reminder: While LGBTQ2IA+ folks are always welcome at any open swim, this time is specifically set aside to create space for shared lived experiences.

Women’s Only Drop-in Rec Swims
Please note this is an identity-specific time. If you do not identify as a woman, we welcome you to attend our regular hours of operation for Drop-in Rec Swimming. Hate of any kind will not be tolerated and staff will ask you to leave.

Free Introductory Swim to Survive Lessons Offered Jan. 24th, Feb. 28th and March 21st, 2025 from 3-4pm in the Red Pool
These Free Swim to Survive Lessons are offered once/month for any non-swimmers looking to gain confidence in the water. See our Events page for more details about when these free lessons are offered (No pre-registration required). Drowning is the third-leading cause of accidental death for adults in Canada. Come learn from fellow UofG students the basics of water safety and get an introductory swim lesson. This is aimed at non-swimmers who have a fear of water or no knowledge of water or swim skills.

Gold Pool

Lanes are set up for laps from one end to the other with varying swim speed lane options for a personal workout. May take place in either Gold or Red Pool. The Gold Pool is kept at 80°F and has 8 lanes. It is 25m long and 6ft deep with a capacity of 225 (Spectators) and 250 (Participants).

Gold Pool

Red Pool Length Swims

Hot Tub - Gold Pool

Red Pool - Rec Swims

Gold Pool

Red Pool Length Swims

Hot Tub - Gold Pool

Red Pool - Rec Swims

Drop-in Rec Protocols

If you are sick or do not feel well, please stay home
All users must enter through the appropriate entrances: Larry Pearson/Gryphon Centre Arena/Gryphon Field House main doors
Everyone must check-in upon arrival at Client Services/with Rink Attendant/Field House Info Desk
Children (Ages 5-12) must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (16+), that must be within eyesight of the child at all times. The parent/guardian is required to purchase a membership if they are participating with the child, but are not required if only watching. Waiver must be signed by parent/guardian (18+). View more details about Child & Youth Memberships here

There is NO Access to Athletics facilities & programs without a registered program, membership, Day Pass, Ticket or Rental Permit, otherwise you will be trespassing, and the Campus Safety Office will be contacted.

Equipment Rental

A selection of equipment is available for loan to U of G Students/Athletics Members during Recreation times. Fees may apply for some items, click here for Equipment Lending details.

Skate Rentals are available at Gryph's Locker in the arena (Gryph's Locker Hours here). $10 per rental. Adult sizing only. See more info here

Rec & Lane Swim

Please refrain from entering the pools until a lifeguard is on duty
Street shoes are not permitted on the deck
Children 15 years of age and under are not permitted in the Hot Tub unless accompanied by an adult
Limited seating for spectators will be clearly marked
Hair dryers and bathing suit dryers are currently not available
Swim snorkels are not permitted at this time
Red Pool Diving board and Gold Pool diving blocks not available for public use
Length swims available in both the Gold & Red Pool
Rec swims are available in the Red Pool

Pool Admission Standards

For a Visual Explanation of Pool Admission Standards Click here

Children 5 years of age and under must be directly supervised (within arm’s reach), regardless of swimming ability, by a guardian 16 years of age or older. Maximum of 2 children per guardian
Children 6-9 years of age, who cannot swim 2 uninterrupted widths of the Red Pool, must be supervised by a guardian 16 years of age or older
Guardian must be present at the time of the swim test
Maximum of 4 children per guardian
The ratio of guardians to swimmers 6-9 years of age, who cannot complete the facility swim test, may be increased to a maximum of 8 bathers to one guardian if approved personal flotation devices are worn by all non-swimmers in their care
Those with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by an individual knowledgeable of their condition and responsible for their direct supervision

Equipment Purchase/Rental

Swim goggles and caps are available for purchase at Gryphs Locker retail store. A selection of equipment is available for loan to U of G Students/Athletics Members during Drop-in Rec times. Fees may apply for some items, visit Equipment Lending for details.

Please assist us by adhering to the following Facility Guidelines:

All users must enter via the front entrance. University of Guelph Students/Members are required to swipe in with their Student/Membership card. Fitness Centre users will be required to swipe again at the Fitness Centre Desk
Non-Members can purchase a Day Pass or Monthly Recreation Membership online or in-person at Client Services
DO NOT SHARE your membership card. This will result in loss of privileges
All children (individuals 12 years of age or younger) must always be accompanied by an adult while in the building
Children 7 years of age or older are required to use the change room designated for their gender
Universal/Non-Gender change rooms available for families and individuals looking for a non-gender specific space
Athletic clothing appropriate to the activity must be worn
Clean athletic footwear with non-marking soles must be worn on all surfaces
Programming space is to be shared appropriately with all participants
No personal coaching or organized practices are permitted during any drop-in recreation time.
Conducting or soliciting for any form of business within the facility (i.e. private lessons, personal training, and sales) is prohibited.
Food or glass bottles are not permitted in the gymnasiums or program rooms
Bicycles are not to be brought inside University buildings and stored in corridors, stairwells, or personal offices as tires track in dirt and the fabric of the structures inevitably gets damaged (scratched or punctured walls, oil and grease on floors and carpets etc.). Outside bicycle racks are provided. Unobstructed egress from University buildings is essential for safe emergency evacuations
Inappropriate behavior such as swearing, physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated and may result in loss of building access privileges and/or immediate removal from facility
Users must recognize and accept the risks inherent in any Activity
Users are responsible for their own personal health and safety
All programming ends 30-60 minutes prior to the building closing. All equipment must be returned by that time
Change rooms will be inspected by a Client Services Representative upon building closure

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in removal from facility and/or loss of access privileges (starting at a minimum of a 4-month suspension and can be set as a longer suspension depending on the severity of the incident).