Good places to swim in Durham?

I am sick of the Durham Downtown YMCA. The pool is closed too much, and they closed the other pool site so people could use Durham [sic], they poured cement in the Jacuzzi, and most of the lanes are taken by kids taking splashing lessons when I go. I'm breaking up with the YMCA.

I live in North Durham (off Roxboro). Any suggestions? The aquatic center in Cary is bloody amazing, would be perfect, but it is just too far away for me.

Options I'm considering, from least cool to awesome:
1. Duke
I've done that, their pools also are inconsistent hours and close during school holidays which is very annoying. Up side is there are tons of other facilities (which I frankly will basically never use).

2. Edison Aquatic Center in Durham
Pros and cons: very good hours, close to my house (like five minutes), but not cheap, about 3.50 per visit, and only a pool no other facilities.

3. DAMA (Durham area masters Aquatics) has a triathlon group that meets Tuesday and Thursday (site: http://www.dama.nseg.netdanger the site links don't work in firefox BOO).
That's a bit intimidating for me, as they swim for like an hour and a half and my shoulders can't take such a beating. I'm a BOP sprint tri person training for an Oly next April. I'd love to make some Tri friends at a masters group, but don't want to slow everyone down, be that guy. It is further from my house so I'd be less likely to go, but not all that far (like 15 minutes from work). Also, I think the 30 bucks a month only qualifies me for the classes rather than general facility use. I don't want to have to join two gyms and spend 60 bucks a month.

Any other suggestions? I am leaning toward the DAMA option. Is anyone here familiar with DAMA? Am I missing anything?


Edited by neuronet 2009-10-07 10:34 AM