Floating Through Summer

Ventura County residents live next to the largest public swimming hole in the West, the mighty Pacific, but sometimes people just want to take a little dip in a much smaller pool.

“It’s a very healthy thing to do and it’s an activity you can do between the ages of 6 months and 99 years old,” said Susan Hart-Ramos, the aquatics and recreation director for Ventura’s YMCA.

For those without the luxury of a backyard pool, several facilities are about to open to the public for the summer. Surprisingly, few municipalities in the county have their own public pools. Most contract with local high schools to allow residents to use their facilities during June, July and August.

The following list includes information from the parks and recreation department in each city in the county except Moorpark, which has no city-sponsored public pools. Most summer public swim sessions end in late August.

In nearly every case, the agency handling the pool offers lessons for swimmers of all ages and levels of experience and for people with disabilities. Those interested in classes should call the numbers listed for details. Registration for many classes must be made soon. Some pools offer separate times for lap swimming.

Each pool listed requires young swimmers, usually those under 8, to be accompanied by an adult. There are certified lifeguards at each site and places to change. Some pools have activities for kids such as floating on rafts and watching a nighttime showing of the movie “Jaws.”

There are pools that offer basketball hoops, diving boards, kick boards and “pool boys,” those little floatable loaves that help keep the legs straight while kicking. In addition to this list, readers can call local YMCAs, water parks, college pools and privately owned aquatics centers in the county--many of which offer public swimming.

CAMARILLO

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District in Camarillo offers swimming year-round at an indoor pool at 1030 Temple Ave. in Camarillo. Summer hours start June 19 and will include recreational swimming from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The cost is $1.50 for those 17 and under, $2.25 for 18 and over. A 10-entry pass is $11.25 for children and $16.75 for adults. For more details, call 987-8198.

The Oxnard Union High School District offers public swimming at Freedom Park Pool next to the Camarillo Airport at Pleasant Valley Road and Eubanks Street.

Recreational swimming starts June 28 and runs from 7 to 9 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evening times are still being planned. The cost is $2.50 per day per person; a 10-visit card is $20. For more details, call 385-2601.

FILLMORE

Public swimming will be offered at Fillmore High School at 555 Central Ave. starting June 14.

Recreational swimming will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 3:20 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $2 per day or $1 for one swim session. The program is run by the city, and more information can be obtained by calling 524-4253.

OJAI

The Ojai Recreation Department offers public swimming at Nordhoff High School’s pool at 1401 Maricopa Highway in Ojai.

The pool opens to the public June 22. Recreational swimming is from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The cost is $2 per person per day and summer passes are available for $50 a person or $100 per family. Call 646-1872 for details.

OXNARD

The Oxnard Union High School District offers public swimming at Oxnard High School at 3400 W. Gonzales Road in Oxnard starting June 28. Recreational swimming runs from 7 to 9 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evening times are still being planned. The cost is $2.50 per person per day, or $20 for a 10-visit card. For details, call 385-2601.

PORT HUENEME

Public swimming for Port Hueneme residents is offered at Hueneme High School at 500 Bard Road in Oxnard starting June 28.

Recreational swimming is from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The cost is $2.50 per person per day.

The program is run by the Hueneme Swim Assn., which can be reached from 5 to 7 p.m. daily at 385-7772.

SIMI VALLEY

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District offers public swimming starting June 21 at Rancho Simi Community Park at 1765 Royal Ave. and at Sequoia Park Pool at 2150 N. Tracy Ave.

Recreational swimming at Rancho Simi Community Park is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Recreational swimming at Sequoia runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The cost is $2 per person per day or $35 for 20 admissions.

A family pass for the summer runs $130. For more details, call 584-4400.

THOUSAND OAKS

The Conejo Recreation and Park District offers public swimming starting June 21 at Thousand Oaks High School at 2323 N. Moorpark Road and Newbury Park High School at 456 N. Reino Road. For details before June 21, call 495-4674.

Recreational swimming is from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Thousand Oaks; 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday; and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. After June 21, call 496-9235 for details.

In Newbury Park, recreational swimming is from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; plus 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays. There are no Friday hours. After June 21, call 498-9085 for details.

The daily cost is $1.75 for those 18 to 61 and $1.25 for 2 to 17.

Those under 2 or 62 and older swim free. A family of four or more can swim for $5 a day. A season pass is $40 for individuals and $80 for a family.

SANTA PAULA

Santa Paula residents can do recreational swimming at Santa Paula High School’s pool at 404 6th St. in Santa Paula starting June 21.

The program is run by the YMCA in Ventura.

The hours for recreational swimming are 1 to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The cost is $1.50 a day for all ages. Call 525-8371 for details.

VENTURA

Ventura’s parks and recreation department offers public swimming starting June 28 at Buena High School at 5670 Telegraph Road.

Recreational swimming is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $1 for those 17 and under, $2 for 18 and older. Call 658-4726 for details.