Facility Information

Rude Park Recreation Center: 2855 West Holden, Denver, CO 80204 (Colfax & Federal Blvd.) 
Indoor 25 Meter, 6 Lane Pool as well as weight room, and other facilities

Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center: 3334 Holly Street Denver, CO 80207 (33rd St. & Holly St.)
Indoor 25 Meter, 6 Lane Pool as well as weight room, and other facilities

The facilities are public and operated by the City of Denver. Unless you already have a Denver Rec Center pass it costs $5.00 to use the facilities. You can also use the SQUID free trial card (see Membership) for your first two practice visits.

The four main strokes used in swimming are freestyle (also called front crawl), backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.  You should at least have proficiency in freestyle and possibly one other stroke. We separate lanes for different speeds of swimmers, from relatively slow through top athletes, and we welcome adult swimmers of all shapes, sizes, ages, sexual orientations and gender identities. 

Be prepared for an aerobic workout lasting more than an hour. If you already swim regularly and/or have some experience swimming, you will be just fine.  If you don't currently exercise and/or are really out of shape just be aware of your limitations.  You will have to build-up to a full practice. 

What to Expect at Workouts

Every workout is different.  You can count on the coach to come up with something creative and challenging.  Our practices are primarily geared towards competitive and fitness swimming. You will also get pointers on how to improve your swimming techniques, and feedback on how you are progressing.  Our practices have three goals: First, to get a good workout - since swimming is a great aerobic exercise and it tones all the major muscle group.  Second, to become a better swimmer by working on speed and technique.   And finally, to have fun!

If you're a new swimmer, or it's been a while since you last swam....

Not to worry.  Some of our members have never practiced on a team before joining SQUID.  Many people who join swam in high school or collegem but haven't practiced regularly with a team for years. 

Want to Try Open Water Swimming in the Summer?

The beginning of summer is the start of a new swimming season for some Squid members -- time to hit the "gravel pond." If your only experience swimming is of going back-and-forth in a warm, chlorinated pool, you really should try open-water swimming for a change. Yes, there's no lane lines to follow. True, it can be a lot colder when you first get in. Its definitely an experience!

Swim Saturday mornings watching the sun rise and hot-air balloons floating overhead or in a rainstorm (without the lightning). Get out of the water on a Thursday afternoon and be blown dry in the hot summer wind.

SQUID members do open-water swimming in the South Gravel Pond near Chatfield Reservoir. Any member of  COMSA (Colorado Masters Swimming Association) can swim under the permit Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 7:30 - 10:00 a.m., from June 1 to Labor Day. The South Gravel Pond is a shallow pond, about 900 meters long.  The water temperature ranges from 62¡ (early June) to 75¡ (July and August).   Swimming is at your own risk -- you should be a competent swimmer.   Certain rules apply:

1. Never swim alone. There should be other swimmers at the scheduled times.
2. Don't swim beyond your ability
3. Only swim at authorized times
4. Wear a brightly colored swim cap so others can see you.
5. Bring your current COMSA/USMS Card -- contact us for details.

Directions: Take Wadsworth South past C-470 to the  entrance to Chatfield State Park. You must have a  Colorado State Parks pass or pay a $5 per car entry fee. Turn right at the first stop-sign and take the road south towards the southern end of Chatfield Reservoir. The South Gravel Pond is on your right after the road curves east. Park on the lot to the left.