Make a splash and dive into summer

It's time to make a splash this summer and dive into the deep end. Indoor pools are out and outdoor pools are in. When there is no time to drive to the beach, a quick trek to your local swimming pool is an easy and cheap way to spend some hours in the sun. Outdoor pools have so many additions to a regular pool that might even be interesting to people who aren't particularly fond of swimming. Some of these features, such as water slides and diving boards, make a normal swimming outing much more exciting. Also, what is a summer swimming experience without the hot sun rays warming up a refreshingly cool pool?

There are 12 outdoor pools, 13 wading pools and 12 spray pads in London. Probably the most entertaining outdoor pool with the most features is Thames Pool located at 15 Ridout Street. This heated 50 metre pool has a water slide, diving boards and a beach area with spray elements. It also has a beach entry and a water wheelchair available and offers lane swimming and aquafit.

Gibbons Park has a great pool with a heated 25 metre lap pool and diving well. The pool also has ramp entry and has the option for lane swimming and aquafit as well. Located at 2B Grosvenor Street, Gibbons Park is a great place for a day trip. With large field space, running and biking trails and small streams, this location is a scenic place to spend time with friends and family.

Oakridge Pool features a leisure pool as well as a separate deep pool with a water slide. It is heated with stair entry only and is located at 825 Valetta Street. Recreational and Parent and Tot swimming are available at different times throughout the week.

The wading pools and spray pads are aimed towards a younger audience and a great place to take kids for some quick entertainment. Wading pools are 0.6 metres in depth with a lifeguard on site at all times. The spray pads are unsupervised areas with no standing water that has interactive buttons that control the water features. Whether you have your own kids or are babysitting, spending time at one of London's outdoor pools is a great way to pass some time in the sun. If you're getting as fussy as the kids in the heat, an outdoor pool is sure to cool down that hot temper.

Admission fees for outdoor pools for ages 18 to 54 is $4.50 per visit or you could opt for a full summer pass for $95. With the large number of options of local pools, and scheduled free swims for kids (check the City of London website for dates and locations) there's no reason not to take time for a swim. Make sure to check the City of London website, london.ca, for recreational swim hours and days. Don't forget to pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, bathing suit, towel, water and of course a snack for post-swim.