swimming

Ottawa has four major public beaches that are open for most of the summer. Add to that more than 50 wading pools and 9 outdoor public pools — and there are plenty of ways to keep cool. When winter arrives, you can head inside to one of the 20 public swimming complexes. ...

Under Step One of Ontario’s Reopening Plan, the City is planning the reopening of its outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and beaches this month. Outdoor deep-water swimming pools – June 11 Outdoor swimming pool facilities will open on June 11. The number of swimmers will be reduced for both public and lane swims and COVID-safety protocols will be in place. ...

Photo: An accessible mat rolled out at an RVCA beach. (Via Rideau Valley Conservation Authority) Beach-lovers of all ages and abilities can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches at Baxter and Rideau Ferry conservation areas this summer thanks to the RVCA’s new accessible beach mats. ...

[caption id=“attachment_17071” align=“aligncenter” width=“387”] Aquamermaid Academy’s mermaid suits. They’re made of stretchy fabric that goes up to your waist, with a plastic fin at the tail with an adjustable strap to hold to your feet in place. Photo by Teah Lizée Photography[/caption] ...

[caption id=“attachment_11738” align=“aligncenter” width=“405”] Mr. Loaf by Andrew King[/caption]

[ ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/westborobeach.jpg) _ Westboro _ Westboro Beach sunbathers will be treated to a special sand between their toes after Kitchissippi Ward Councillor Katherine Hobbs approved the use of specially imported fair trade organic sand trucked in from Kenyan and Ethiopian sand fields. ...

Here’s the first in a series of guest blogs over the next couple of weeks. ** ** This one’s by Karla Briones , an Ottawa-area entrepreneur who is owned by her Giant Schnauzer, Pepe. And we were on a team together in 3rd year tv journalism at Carleton U. ...

[ ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/hrnq.jpg) This sexy lifejacket reminds you to stay safe on the water this summer. (Photo from @ccoughtrey , used by permission.) ** Related: ** Ottawa Swimming Guide

[ ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Drew-27s-Birthday-2009-and-more-170.jpg) Today we went to check out Merveilles de sable (Wonders of Sand) at Lac-Beauchamp in Gatineau. Good citizens of Gatineau, you’ve been keeping this a secret for far too long. We had a blast – and can’t believe that we haven’t heard of this before. ...

** Update: Please see our Ottawa Swimming Guide for a list of salt water pools in Ottawa . ** A reader asks: “I am looking for an indoor pool in Ottawa that is chlorine free. Other cities have ozonated pools and salt pools. ...