Make a splash at the UCSB Recreation Center’s pools! We offer 2 beautiful, newly plastered pools and a spa. Our outdoor pools include the Olympic size "Large Pool" with attached Dive Well and the "Small Pool" a 25yd, 9-lane all shallow teaching pool. Enjoy a wide range of programs open to youth and adults, including SCUBA, swim lessons, log rolling, and summer camps. Whether individuals are seeking to hone their skills, pick up some new ones, or simply go for a lap, join us at UCSB Aquatics!
Pool use requires a Recreation Center Membership. Click here for our Aquatics policies.
Standard Hours
Monday – Friday: 6:30 am - 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm
See Recreation Center Hours for closures and reduced hours.
Announcements
- WE DO NOT ALLOW DIAPERS OR SWIM DIAPERS IN THE POOLS. If your child is not fully "potty-trained" do not bring them into the pools.
- One breath, One length*, One time. (*25 yds or less) We enforce a "no prolonged breath-holding" policy in our pools. We do not allow hyperventilating repeated breath-holding (static or while swimming), or hypoxic training.
In addition to our drop-in swim hours and Recreation programs, we also host Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) and Sport Club team workouts. Please see below for a detailed schedule.
The below schedule will be updated for accuracy when possible but is subject to change with little to no notice based on unforeseen circumstances.
Weekdays 6:30am - 8pm
Up to 20 Short Course (SC) Lanes Available
Weekends 9am - 8pm
Up to 8 Long Course (LC) Lanes Available
SC = Short Course, LC = Long Course, DW = Dive Well
Example: 13SC + DW= 13 Short Course Lanes and Dive Well Occupied
Aquatics Programs
Instructor: Staff | Quarterly & Monthly Passes Available
Gaucho Masters Swim is committed to helping increase the physical fitness of swimmers at all levels from novice swimmers to highly competitive swimmers, triathletes, and open water swimmers. We offer a structured workout program that meets the needs of a fitness swimmer, multi-sport athlete, or competitive swimmer. Improve your efficiency, stroke technique and endurance to make your swimming experience more successful. Come join us in the pool!
This is NOT a learn-to-swim program, you should have prior formal swimming experience.
Welcome to the underwater adventure! UCSB is located in one of the premier diving locations on the California coast. Dives in the Channel Islands National Park are rich with marine life, kelp forests and make for world-class dive sites. Our instructors are highly respected in the local area for their style and extensive years of teaching. They have over 90 years combined experience!
Learn to swim or refine your skills in eight 30 minute lessons, available both one-on-one and in group settings. Group swim lessons will be limited to 5 students per beginner or intermediate group and 6 for advanced.
Adult Group Swim Lesson - Beginner
For adults new to swimming, this course introduces basic swim skills focusing on feeling more comfortable in a pool, breath control, floating, and forward movement in the water. We'll work on coordination for swimming on front and back as well as using equipment such as kickboards and swim fins.
Adult Group Swim Lesson - Intermediate
For adults that are comfortable in the water, can swim freestyle, breaststroke, or backstroke continuously for 50 yards. The focus of Intermediate swimming is to build proficiency in freestyle (including side-breathing & flip turns), backstroke & breaststroke. Butterfly will be introduced based on skill level and demand of the group.
Adult Swim Lesson - Private
Let our instructor meet you where you're at in your swimming skills. These adult lessons provide you with individual instruction to help you improve your water skills whether you are a non-swimmer or want to improve on stroke refinement and efficiency you already posses.
Our swim lesson program follows the American Red Cross progressive swimming level model which ensures swimmers gain valuable skills for confidence in the water. We offer private and small group lessons. Group lessons are age and level-dependent.
Instructor: Staff
A water workout designed to enhance cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength. This challenging class, set to music, is for participants of all fitness levels and swimming abilities. Join us in the pool and enjoy the many benefits the water environment offers. Non-swimmers are welcome. All equipment is provided.
UCSB Recreation offers Jr. Lifeguards and Beach 'n Surf Camp during the summer.
Facilities Information
- 50-meter x 25-yard x 30-meter "L" pool
- Diving Well features one 3-meter diving board
- Long Course = 8 lanes
- Short Course = 20 lanes
- ADA Lift
- Min Depth = 4'
- Max Depth = 17'
- Pool temp = ~80°
- 25-yard pool with attached 0-3 foot depth teaching area
- ADA access ramp
- ADA Lift
- Short Course = 9 lanes
- Min Depth = 2.5'
- Max Depth = 4'
- Temp = ~82°
- Capacity = 17
- Temp = ~102°
- ADA Lift
Did You Know...
Lap swimming lanes are available 89 hours per week.
The Variable Speed Drive motors that operate the Pool circulation system are programmed to run at lower RPMs overnight to save energy and money.
The small pool was struck by lightning in Fall 2015 (no one was present, whew!) and caused two areas of damage to pool plaster. That is why we close the pools, spa, and showers during electrical storms.
The Large and the Small Pools were originally opened in 1994. Pools were drained, re-plastered in 2009 and 2023. The concrete decks were rebuilt and lighting rewired in 2009.
Employment Opportunities
Want the best job on campus with a group of fun, outdoor loving lifeguards and swim instructors? Come join the UCSB Aquatics team at the Recreation center aquatics complex. Open positions include Lifeguards, Swim Instructors, Pool Instructors, Pool Maintenance Staff, Jr. Lifeguards, and Beach 'n Surf Camp Instructors. Join the team!
Contact
Pool Office
(805) 893-7213
Nancy Clayton
Assistant Director, Aquatics & Safety
nancyclayton@ucsb.edu
(805) 893-7616
Rick Van Hoorn
Aquatics Coordinator
rick-vh@ucsb.edu
(805) 893-2501