UCLA Swimming Pools: A Legacy of Aquatics and Recreation

UCLA's commitment to an active lifestyle is evident throughout its campus, with a wide array of recreational facilities catering to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Among these, the swimming pools stand out as hubs for both serious athletic training and casual recreation. From the state-of-the-art Spieker Aquatics Center to the family-friendly Sunset Canyon Recreation Center, UCLA offers diverse aquatic experiences.

A Splash of Activity: Recreation at UCLA

UCLA's campus buzzes with activity, offering everything from basketball courts and adventure courses to rock walls and swimming pools. The university recognizes the importance of physical activity, encouraging everyone on campus to embrace an #ActiveBruin lifestyle. Whether you're looking to take a dip in the pool or swim countless laps, UCLA has a facility, class, or group ready to help you get moving.

Marina Aquatic Center: Beyond the Campus

Located about 10 miles from campus in Marina del Rey, the UCLA Marina Aquatic Center (MAC) provides ocean-based activities. Created in 1977, the aquatic center began with instructional sailing and windsurfing programs. In 1991, recreational rowing, kayaking, and surfing were added, with youth boating joining in 1994. 2011 brought a stand-up paddling clinic. The MAC hosts the UCLA men’s and women’s rowing teams and the MAC Junior Rowing team, which consists of 100+ local area high school students. Activities are available for all skill levels and ages. Those with no previous experience can rent single or double kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, and enthusiasts of any level can take classes in rowing, sailing, and sea kayaking. Children as young as 10 who are water-safe and weigh at least 50 pounds can sign up for sailing camp or lessons; teens 14 and over can take lessons in rowing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Summer camps for youngsters in third through eighth grade include Bruins on Water, which combines on-water activities and interactive science experiments.

The MAC offers group, private and youth kayak lessons. UCLA’s is one of the most comprehensive kayaking programs on the entire West Coast.

Sunset Canyon Recreation Center: A Hub of Summer Fun

Summer days are filled with activity at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center. Sunbathers, frisbee-tossers, volleyballers, and swimmers are all welcome. The Sunset Canyon Recreation Center, completed in 1966, was designed by architectural firm Smith and Williams to provide a welcoming leisure and recreational space on a nine-acre property. The center includes swimming pools, an outdoor amphitheatre, a picnic area, and rooms for dances and art exhibitions. It climbs up its steep hillside site and feels somewhat like a treehouse.

Spieker Aquatics Center: A State-of-the-Art Facility

The Spieker Aquatics Center is a 2,500-capacity stadium used by UCLA water polo, swimming, and diving teams. The $14-million center was built in 2009 and is named for Tod and Catherine Spieker. The athletic teams using the facilities have won 20 NCAA national championships.

The facility was unveiled on September 26, 2009 and is home to UCLA’s men’s and women’s water polo, swimming and diving teams. The main pool, Dirks Pool, is named after Carolyn Dirks, who provided the lead gift for the swimming pool. The Spieker Aquatics Center reaffirms UCLA's tradition of excellence in aquatic sport and steadfast commitment to sustainability.

Key features of the Spieker Aquatics Center include:

An outdoor 52M-competition swimming pool with a 10m dive tower.
Spectator seating for 2,500
Intercollegiate and visiting team lockers.
A lounge and coaching facility.
Multi-Purpose classrooms, training centers, and support spaces.

Dirks Pool: Addressing the Need for Water Sport Facilities

Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatic Center was strategically sized to address the university community’s significant need for water sport facilities. Before this complex was built, several competitive athletic programs practiced at off-site pools due to a lack of facilities on the campus. That community also is reflected in the design.

Sustainability at Spieker Aquatics Center

The project incorporates several sustainable principles and is expected to achieve a LEED certified rating. Energy use is minimized via daylighting the building, naturally ventilating the spaces and radiant heating in the floors. Low-flow plumbing fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping help minimize water usage. Unique technologies, including harnessing the heated water of the pool to warm the building, also are incorporated.

Family Pool: A Welcoming Space for All Ages

Just 2 feet deep in its entry area, the Family Pool welcomes kids, waders, and floaters. Serious lap swimmers gravitate to the Park Pool below it.

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UCLA Community School: Shared Facilities

Twins Katia and Karla, students in the 10th grade, use the pool on campus. UCLA Community School shares facilities with the five other schools on the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools campus. This includes cafeterias, the historic Cocoanut Grove theater, two libraries, two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, athletic fields, gardens, and several public art installations.

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