Hey Rookie Pool in San Pedro
DETAILS:
Location: 3601 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Hours of Operation:
Lap Lane Swimming (open hours):
Tuesday thru Friday: 1PM to 2:30PM
Saturdays & Sundays: 12PM to 1PM & 4PM to 4:45PM
Recreational Swimming (open hours):
Tuesday thru Friday: 2PM to 3:30PM
Saturdays & Sundays: 1PM to 4PM
Parking: Free, but limited parking on site.
Cost: $3.50 Adults / $1 Seniors / $1 Children 17 & Under / $1 Anyone with a disability / $87.50 Adult lap pass (30 entries) / $25 Seniors-Children-Disablities lap pass (30 entries). CASH ONLY as of this posting.
Time Commitment: 1 hour, unless you happen to be a dolphin.
Miscellaneous: In my experience, their hours can differ from their listings, so I would advise calling ahead to find current hours. (310-521-9017)
In my ongoing (and losing) efforts to fight the battle of the bulge, I’m always on the lookout for new workouts that I won’t hate. And while I still hate all of them, one that I don’t hate quite as much is lap swimming. Quite frankly, my swimming skills suck. I would be the first person eaten in every shark attack movie. But somehow I enjoy my mediocrity at this sport, especially when I can do it at Hey Rookie Pool in San Pedro. Situated on a hill overlooking the ocean, I challenge anyone to find a prettier setting for a public pool.
Formerly known at the Gaffey Street Pool, it was initially built in 1943 as a swimming & water survival venue for deploying WWII soldiers. After the war, it became a popular area pool because of its picturesque location until it closed in the 90s over safety concerns. The pool wouldn’t re-open again until 2017 after major renovations were finally completed, and I gotta say, it was well worth the wait.
Since Hey Rookie Pool is relatively new, all its facilities (including the changing area and rest rooms) are in really great shape. However, it’s a little curious (at the time of this post) that they only accept cash, but for just $3.50 an adult, that’s a minor inconvenience. And the poolside views are worth at least twice that much! The lanes are longer here (32 yards) than most other public pools so you won’t need to turn as much to get your laps in. The pool is also heated which is a nice bonus, although on one occasion, the heating system wasn’t functioning which makes me wonder how often this might occur. But again, you’ll forgive all of it because of its postcard worthy spot which will motivate at least several more laps out of you alone!
