Vic peeps? Crystal Pool?

That's where I do 90% of my swimming. I like it. If you go at the right times (anywhere between 10-3) you are likely to have a lane to yourself. They have 50m lanes set up between 11-1, I think. It's a pretty good pool. Not the newest or nicest, but I keep going back there so that's gotta say something. I've never been there early morning of after work hours. I used to work across the street so did most of my swimming on my lunch hour. Now I just schedule out an hour mid-afternoon.

I find they are very accomodating to lap swimmers. You'll generally find 2 kinds of people there - the old men/women who keep to their own section, and the serious lap swimmers, most of whom are sporting IM caps, who will keep to their own workouts. Pool etiquette is generally expected to split the lanes, if it's not very busy.

You often may find me on a treadmill overlooking the pool, too.

I see Mel McQuaid in the locker room on occasion. That counts for sumthin. ;-)


ETA: Welcome to Victoria! Not sure of your situation (family, friends already established) but if you have any questions PM me, or if you get lonely for non-school friends and want to go for a coffee or a drink just holler. I'd offer to train with you but I'm broken and not going very fast right now.

Edited by SpiritFire 2009-08-31 8:22 PM

The Y has a good swimming pool as well although only it's only a 25m pool. There is a great tri club that trains there and has coached swims.

Thanks for comments everyone...

I think im gonna give it a shot, seemed decent when i popped in for a visit.

If you are at the pool keep your eyes out for a Young tattooed fellow! Im pretty much going to be all alone down there, so the more friendly people the better!

FYI:

Times Colonist
September 2, 2009 6:37 AM

Crystal Pool will shut for three weeks beginning Labour Day for annual maintenance.

The facility will close Monday and is scheduled to reopen Sept. 27.

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn our pool just shut down as well... I havent swam in a week and a half already!

oh well, whats another 3 weeks gonna hurt...

they closed the West Van Aquatic Centre over here on the North Shore... the day after I moved.. fortunately they are leaving some of the North Van pools open

not sure how far you want to travel to train... looks like Saanich Commonwealth Pool is open until 8 Sept.. then it closes for maintenance... Gordon Head Rec is open until mid Sept.. then it closes till Jan 2010 (renovations)...

Juan De Fuca Rec has their pool schedule that is effective until 6 Sept.. no indication on the website of any pending closure... Same for Esquimalt Rec...

hope that helps

I don't think Esquimalt has any plans for a long shutdown. It's adults only (18+) every night from 9:00 - 10:30. 25 m, decent pool, on the warm side. I am guessing it is going to get quite a bit busier ... bah ... gonna miss the 50 m at Commonwealth!

Yes.. Esquimalt is a bit warm and sort of short (compared to Commonwealth & Crystal)...
Although it's longer than the pool here in my building.. I estimated it to be about 54ft (16m)... talk about dizzy after about 150 laps..

Oh gosh!!!! That's short ... you don't even get nicely going before you have to turn!! I have not been to JDF but I hear Oak Bay pool is open until 1:00 am ... adults (16+) only after 9:30 pm. I'm considering getting the "all facilities" rec pass ... I'm a total night owl. Esquimalt used to be open until midnight; I mourn the passing of the late swimming hours.....

But really, I have to say - it's not too cold yet to jump into Thetis ... so why are we bemoaning the loss of the pools?

Because we are Canadian?! Hee hee..  being glum about such things.. it's what we do...
I'm wetsuit-less... so that's a good excuse for me to skip the Lake swims

I've got a good 20 more pounds to go before I can fit into my wetsuit again!