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Swimming Pools:

‘Rowdy’ Gaines Olympic Pool
210 Cypress Gardens Blvd.
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
(863) 291-5656

The ‘Rowdy’ Gaines Olympic Pool has an Olympic size (25 yards x 50 meters) competitive pool, which is 4 feet deep on each end and 6 1/2 feet in the middle. This pool has competitive starting blocks and is used for competitive swimming, swim instruction and recreational use. In addition, there is a separate diving well with (2) 1 meter and (2) 3 meter spring boards. The "Rowdy" Gaines Olympic Pool is heated and open year-round.

Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center Pool
801 Avenue T NE
Winter Haven, Florida 33881
(863) 291-5675

The Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center (WHRCC) pool is an “L” shaped pool measuring 25 yards x 25 meters. The pool is used for swim instruction and recreational use from mid-May through August.

Please click on the flyers below for information on upcoming programs, classes and events.

                                Swim Lessons                                           Free Swim Lessons

"Rowdy" Gaines Pool Hours:

Lap Swim
Monday - Friday         11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Monday - Thursday   5 - 7 p.m. 

Recreational Swim
Monday - Sunday        1 - 5 p.m. 

"Rowdy" Gaines Pool Fees:

Fee: $2 Resident, $3 Non-Resident, $1 Lifejackets

Aquatic Passes:

10 Time Punch Pass: $18 Resident, $27 Non-resident

20 Time Punch Pass: $30 Resident, $45 Non-resident

Monthly Punch Pass: $36 Resident, $54 Non-resident

Seasonal Punch Pass: $80 Resident, $111 Non-resident

WHRCC Pool Hours:

Recreational Swim (beginning May 25)
Saturday - Sunday        1 - 5 p.m.

Recreational Swim (beginning June 6)
Monday - Sunday        1 - 5 p.m.

WHRCC Pool Fees:

Admission is free for youth 15 and under

Fee: $2 Resident, $3 Non-Resident, $1 Lifejackets

Aquatic Activities at "Rowdy" Gaines Pool:

Swim Lessons
Lessons are offered for those from ages 6 months and older.  You must register in person.  A parent or guardian must register children under 18.  Evening registration will be held at the South Entrance of the Chain O' Lakes Complex.  Day registration will be held in the Aquatics Office in the Chain O' Lakes Complex.  Lessons are held at "Rowdy" Gaines Pool.  Class times with an asterisk (*) next to it denotes that lessons will also be offered at the WHRCC Pool.  Registration information and fees are the same.

Fee: $35 Residents

        $50 Non-residents

Session 1: June 10 - 21

Class times: 8:30, 9:15*, 10*, 10:45, 11:30 a.m.

                  5:30, 6:15, 7 p.m.

Registration: May 29           6 - 7 p.m.

                   May 30 - 31    10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Session 2: June 24 - July 5 (class will be held on July 4)

Class times: 8:30, 9:15*, 10*, 10:45, 11:30 a.m.

Registration: June 19          6 - 7 p.m.

                   June 20 - 21   10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Session 3: July 8 - 19

Class times: 8:30, 9:15*, 10*, 10:45, 11:30 a.m.

                  5:30, 6:15, 7 p.m.

Registration: July 3            6 - 7 p.m.

                   July 4 - 5       10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Session 4: July 22 - August 2

Class times: 8:30, 9:15*, 10*, 10:45, 11:30 a.m.

Registration: July 17           6 - 7 p.m.

                   July 18 - 19    10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Session 5: August 5 - 16

Class times: 8:30, 9:15, 10, 10:45, 11:30 a.m.

                  5:30, 6:15, 7 p.m.

Registration: July 31           6 - 7 p.m.

                   August 1 - 2   10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Splash Bash
Bring the family for a fun evening of water slides, treasure hunts, and a movie (weather permitting).

Ages:     All

Dates:    June 22, August 10

Time:     7 - 10 p.m.

Fee:       $3/person

Lifeguard Training
Students will learn CPR, First Aid, AED and lifeguard skills.  A session will be offered after the summer if there is interest.

Ages:       15 and older

Days:        Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

Time:       5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Fee:         $150 Residents

                $160 Non-residents

Water Safety Instructor Training
Students will become American Red Cross certified to teach swim lessons to swimmers who are 6 months and older.

Ages:     16 and older

Session: April 1 - 25

Days:     Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

Time:    5 - 8 p.m.

Fee:      $175 Residents

             $200 Non-residents

Scuba Diving
Experience the world underwater as you never have before by becoming certified in SCUBA.  For more information, please call Darryl Kennard at 268-3863.

Water Safety Puppet Show
The Aquatics staff has created a puppet show to help raise water safety awareness.  Staff can visit various facilities and day cares to perform the puppet show for children.  For more information, please contact the Aquatics staff at 291-5656.

Winter Haven Stingrays Swim Team
The Winter Haven Stingrays Swim Team is a USA registered age group and mast swim team that practices and competes year round.  A swimmer must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle and backstroke and be at least 5 years of age.  Practices are held Monday through Saturday at the Rowdy Gaines Pool.  For more information, contact Linda Howard at 863-297-9646. 

Aquatic Activities at WHRCC Pool:

Free Swim Lessons
Free lessons are offered for the first 30 students each day.  registration is at 5:30 p.m. each day.  A parent or guardian must register children under 15.  For more information, please call the Aquatics Office at 291-5656.

Session 1: May 20 - 24

Session 2: July 22 - 26

Time:        6 - 7 p.m.

Ages:        5 and older