Rec & Lane Swimming

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

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.

International Students Drop-in Rec Swims
This drop-in rec swim is meant for international students to meet other international students through activity. Bathing suits and equipment are not provided and students are asked to come with clean bathing attire for pool use only. Free swim lessons will be 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 Introductory Swim to Survive Lessons are offered.

LGBTQ2IA+ Only Swims
This time is open to LGBTQ2IA+ people only, to provide a safer, braver space for folks to show up, move their bodies & build community. Any queer, trans and/or gender diverse person who wants to attend is welcome! You will have access to whichever changeroom best fits your gender and will exit directly to a wet corridor leading to the pools & hot tub. This swim option is currently planned to run the last week of each month during the academic school year (The next scheduled times are Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 3-4pm in the Red Pool, and Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 3-4pm in the Red Pool). You can check the Drop-In Recreation Schedule to see when this swim option is running. Contact Stewart at straill@uoguelph.ca if you have any questions.

LGBTQ2IA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, Two-Spirit, intersex, asexual and any other identities that fall outside of heteronormative & cisgender paradigms.
Please note this is an identity-specific swim time. If you do not identify as LGBTQ2IA+, we do welcome allies who want to attend this swim. Hate of any kind will not be tolerated and staff will ask you to leave.
*LGBTQ2IA+ folks are welcome to attend any open swim. This specific time exists to create space for shared lived experience*

Free Introductory Swim to Survive Lessons
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.  

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.

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.