Public and Private Swimming Pools around Metro Manila (and my first 50m non-stop freestyle)

It has been three weeks and four sessions (out of eight) since I started taking swimming lessons in ULTRA Pasig. For someone like me who started with zero knowledge, every session becomes more and more fulfilling. On our first meeting, the instructor set the goal of this program – to manage a non-stop freestyle and breaststroke swim for 50 meters or one lap of an Olympic-size pool. Halfway to the end of program, I feel very accomplished to be able to swim freestyle for one whole lap! I did it around three hours ago at Makati Aquatic Sports Arena. I can’t believe it at first that someone with such a terrible body coordination and demanding work schedule can do it in three weeks (I expected at least a month). All of the long hours of practice under the sun, the chlorinated water I accidentally drank, and my Gobi desert-dry skin really paid off. It may sound pathetic for some but it is really something for me.

I probably pulled it off by trying to practice at the very least twice a week. I make it a point that I should have a good grasp of the lessons taught the previous week before attending the next. This way you can make the most out of the program as coaches no longer need to teach the same lesson over and over again. As of the moment, I am still on the look out for swimming pools near my work place or residence where I can do some practice.

Here are some of the pools (public and private) that I have tried or visited/inquired.

1. La Mesa Eco Park

Operating hours:  Daily 8am-5pm (park)
8am-4pm (pool)

Fee: P40 (park entrance fee for QC residents) + P80 (swimming pool fee) = P120 minimum

Pros

1. Open daily and during holidays (except Dec. 25 and 31)
2. Nice jungle-like ambiance

Cons

1. Jam-packed especially during weekends and holidays
2. Lap pool is closed (as of January 2015) due to damages caused by previous typhoons. Park personnel cannot give a definite date of reopening
3. Bit far from civilization

Lane pool still closed.

“16. Public display of affection (PDA) or any malicious acts (i.e. kissing, petting) is strictly prohibited.” KJ ng park managers

2. YMCA Binondo
Operating hours:  Mon – Sat            6am-12nn, 1pm-8:30pm
Sun & Holidays                                 8am-12nn, 1pm-5pm

Fee: P300 (membership fee) + P3,000 (swimming pool fee for a year) = P3,300 for one year use of swimming pool

Reminder: Head cap is required for everyone (both men and women) using the pool.

Pros

1. Indoor pool (you can save a lot for not buying sunblock)
2. Cheap. (P3,300/365 = P9.04/day. Not bad.)

Cons

1. Pool length is only 25 meters (half of Olympic standard)

2. Pool depth is 3 and 1/2 ft.

^Photo credits to http://www.whereinmanila.com

Did I mention the hot shower?

  

3. Dusit Thani Makati (DFiT Fitness Centre)

Operating hours: Sorry, I forgot. I think it’s from 6am-8pm daily.

Fee: Pool membership only. P5, 000/2 months

Pros

1. Gym attendants are very accommodating.

Cons

1. Expensive!
2. Max depth is only 4 ft.

4. Holiday Inn Makati (Health Club)

Operating hours: Sorry, I forgot. I think it’s from 6am-8 or 10pm daily.

Fee: P30,000 (Gym membership package)

Pros

1. I can’t think of any

Cons

1. Annoying and untrained people in the front desk
2. Expensive!
3. Pool is shallow (4ft) and small

5. Ascott Makati (Ascott Fitness Center)

Operating hours: Sorry, I forgot. I think it’s from 6am-8pm daily.

Fee: Staggering P45,000 per year!

Pros

1. Crowd here is the most civilized I’ve seen

Cons

1. Expensive!
2. Pool’s max depth is 5ft only

 

6. Quezon City Sports Club

Operating hours: Sorry, I forgot.

Fee: For members only. Guests are allowed so long as they have authorization from a member. To become a member, you need to buy shares of the club. As of Feb 2015, one P500,00 worth of shares is available.

Photo credits to CAL Swim School

7. ACE Water Spa Banawe

Operating hours: 6am-11pm

Fee: P250 = Three-hour use of lap pool during weekday mornings ONLY

Pros

1. Heated pool

2. Indoor pool

Cons

1. Expensive

2. Promotion (lap pool use for P250) is only available during off peak hours (morning)

Photo credits to http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com

Photo credits to http://www.tripadvisor.com

8. Makati Aquatic Sports Arena

Operating hours:  8am-12nn
1pm-5pm
5pm-8pm

Fee:  P50 for Makati residents
P150 for non-Makati resident

Pros

1. Life guards are always visible
2. Resort-like ambiance
3. Clean pool and surroundings
4. Less crowded compared to most public pools
5. Separate shower rooms (unlike in ULTRA/Philsports)

Cons
1. Not so accessible
2. Max. depth (middle of pool) is only 5ft so no diving allowed.

Kiddie pool

9. Ateneo Grade  School Swimming Pool

     (Malasmas Swimming Pool Complex)

Operating hours:  Sat and Sun       9 – 11AM, 1 – 3PM, 4 – 6PM

Fee: P 50

Pros

1. Not crowded. On the average I think less than 40 people (most of them are parents and/or yayas waiting in the poolside) visit the place at a time.

2. Has water fountain!

3. If you’re a newbie, you’ll feel “belong” here. Swimmers are mostly kids.

4. Very clean and well-maintained facilities.

Cons

1. Pool length is only 25 meters (half of Olympic standard)

2. Folks here are mostly newbies and kids so you don’t get to eavesdrop tips from seasoned coaches, swimmers, and triathletes (unlike when you’re in ULTRA.)

3. Shallow pool. Most shallow part is only 3 ft and the deepest end only goes 4 ft. The pool’s really intended for pre-pubescent gradeschoolers.

If you see this, turn left until you reach the cafeteria/swimming pool.

Well-kept.

I just hope our government will invest in public pools and facilities as good as or even better than this. As an archipelago, swimming should bring us our first Olympic gold.

Forgot to bring water? No worries! #waterfountain   #unliwater