Where Are the Best Places to Swim in Vancouver?
We perhaps don’t say it enough, but FORM is proud to be from and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Our CEO, Dan, first had the idea for augmented reality swim goggles while studying at the University of British Columbia (UBC), back in 2006, and as the saying goes, the rest is history.
With the Vancouver T100 taking place in the city for the first time this June, we wanted to share our top places to swim in the city! Vancouver boasts a diverse array of great indoor and outdoor swimming pools, catering to all preferences—from state-of-the-art indoor facilities to scenic outdoor pools, including a unique 137-meter-long pool!
Here's our curated list of top swimming pools in and around our hometown:
Vancouver’s Top 4 Indoor Swimming Pools
Hillcrest Aquatic Centre
A firm favourite among the FORM team, located near Queen Elizabeth Park, Hillcrest offers both indoor and outdoor pools. Built in 2011, this community-centred pool features a 50m lap pool and leisure pool, a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and family-friendly amenities.
UBC Aquatic Centre
This state-of-the-art facility serves athletic training, competition, and neighbourhood leisure needs. This modern facility features a 50m competition pool, warm-up pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna. It’s home to the UBC Thunderbirds and is a High Performance Centre for Swimming Canada, and often hosts major competitive swim meets and championships.
Vancouver Aquatic Centre
Affectionately known as VAC, situated downtown near Sunset Beach, this facility includes a 50m pool, diving boards (up to 10m), hot tub, and sauna. It has been a hub for competitive swimming in Vancouver since 1974, and is the home of the Canadian Dolphin Swim Club.
Next year, construction begins on a program to renew the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, which will see a reduction in pool length from a 50m pool to 25m.
Killarney Community Pool
A family favourite that opened in 2006, the award-winning Killarney Community Pool offers two lap pools (25 and 15 meters). Extensive windows overlooking the adjacent park provide an abundance of natural light and superb views of the North Shore mountains.
3 World-Class Outdoor Pools in Vancouver
Second Beach Pool
Nestled in Vancouver’s historic Stanley Park, this very popular heated outdoor pool features graduated depths, separate 50m lanes for lap swimming, a slide, and is wheelchair accessible. Originally, it was filled with ocean salt water, but was converted to fresh water many years ago.
New Brighton Pool
Located in the Hastings-Sunrise district of Vancouver, a stone's throw from Hastings Racecourse and Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), this heated outdoor pool offers 25m lane swimming and a leisure area, with stunning views of the North Shore Mountains.
Kitsilano Pool
The jewel in the crown of Vancouver's outdoor pools, Kits pool is the longest outdoor swimming pool in North America at 137 meters. Kits Pool is a heated saltwater pool offering panoramic views of English Bay. It's divided into sections for lap swimming, family fun, and casual dips.
In recent years, the pool has been subjected to damage from winter storms, and is due to have a survey completed to outline future renovations. Good news, it will be open again this summer, but maybe not in time for the T100’s inaugural visit - be sure to come back next year!
Bonus
Kitsilano Beach with VOWSA
The Vancouver Open Water Swim Association (VOWSA) welcome all to join their group swim practices at Kitsilano Beach. These ocean swims are supported by lifeguards in boats who are there solely for VOWSA swimmers, making it a great opportunity for both new and experienced swimmers to feel confident in the open water.
They swim a 1500m course, but you're welcome to swim as much or as little as you'd like during our 1.5-hour lifeguard-supported session. Swims run every Monday and Thursday from May 26 to August 28.
We will be demoing our FORM Smart Swim Goggles in the expo at the Vancouver T100, so be sure to come by, check out the goggles, talk about race strategies and say hi!
