FORT RUCKER, Ala. (May 13, 2016) -- As longer days continue to heat things up, Fort Rucker's Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Sports, Fitness, and Aquatics Branch prepares to cool things down with the summer swimming season.
Patrons can seek aquatic relief from the heat beginning May 28 with the opening of SPLASH! Outdoor Pool and Spray Park, located behind The Landing on Novosel Street.
"This location is our 'family' facility and comes complete with an AquaClimb rock wall, a diving board, water slides and a spray park for the younger kids," said Rob Koren, DFMWR aquatics manager.
According to Koren, SPLASH! will be open Wednesdays-Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The park will be closed on Tuesdays for maintenance and cleaning.
There is a fee to enter SPLASH! that is based on people's age, and if they are active duty or retired, DOD civilian or contractor, or a member of the general public, Koren said. Aquatics also sells season passes to the facility that can be purchased at the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Center on Andrews Avenue or at MWR Central on the first floor of the Soldier Service Center, Bldg. 5700.
For more information on pricing and entrance fees for SPLASH!, call 255-2296.
SPLASH! will also host the Summer Luau June 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"(The event) will have many activities for the entire family to enjoy," Koren said. "There will, of course, be swimming. However, the event also features an inflatable water slide, line dancing, limbo contests, T-shirt tie-dying (participants must bring their own T-shirts) and a dunk tank.
"Patrons can purchase a pulled pork barbecue sandwich, bag of chips and a drink for only $6 per plate," he added.
SPLASH! won't be the only swimming opportunity opening for the summer season May 28. Lake Tholocco's West Beach swimming area, located on Johnson Road, will also open to the public.
"Lake Tholocco's West Beach swimming area is another great natural escape for children and families alike," Koren said.
Swimming will be permitted Fridays-Tuesdays from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. This natural swimming area offers a sandy beach, waterslides, and an inflatable water trampoline. There is an entrance fee to use the swimming area. For information regarding fees, call Fort Rucker Outdoor Recreation at 255-4117.
According to Koren, additional swimming opportunities will open later in the summer.
"If you wish to focus on your swimming abilities and physical fitness, then Flynn Outdoor Pool, located on Park Avenue just off of Novosel Street, is ideal," he said. "The outdoor pool will open on Mondays-Fridays June 6 from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the PFC indoor pool closes on June 5. Flynn Outdoor Pool is used strictly for lap swimming, Soldier physical training, by reservation only, and water exercise.
"The (Child, Youth, and School Services) (School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills) Youth Learn-to-Swim Program will also be held at Flynn over the summer from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 3-6 p.m.," he added.
According to Koren, this pool is open to authorized patrons only with a valid military or DOD civilian ID.
Before dipping toes into the water, Koren urges patrons to take a few simple precautions to ensure their aquatic experience is both fun and safe.
"No one should ever swim alone," he said. "Everyone should either swim with a buddy or in a supervised area with a trained lifeguard on duty. Lifeguards are a great asset to safety at any swimming facility, but parents should always know where their children are and what their swimming abilities are. If the child cannot swim, parents are expected to be within arm's reach of the child at all times. Do not assume the lifeguard will watch your child, as they have other patrons to watch, as well. Safety is everyone's responsibility and should be taken seriously at all times.
"At the first sight or sound of thunder or lightning, all patrons should clear the water and deck immediately and follow the directions of the lifeguards on duty," he added.
Koren also urges patrons to protect their skin with a waterproof and sweat-proof sun block that has a SPF 50 strength or higher.
"Patrons should apply and reapply according to the bottles instructions for best results or as often as they need," he said. "If the patron feels that they are getting burned from the sun, the best course of action is to remove themselves from the sun and apply aloe directly to the skin. This will help with the pain and also assist in drawing out some of the heat from the skin."
For more information about swimming facilities and opportunities on post, call 255-9162.
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