March 18, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Beaches & Swimming
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Hi guys! Today I got to visit one of my favourite places in Richmond, Watermania!!! What the heck is Watermania? It’s the largest and most awesome aquatic centre in Richmond, that’s what. No other facility in British Columbia offers a 57 metre competition pool, one metre and three metre spring boards, a five metre tower (dubbed ‘The Platform’), giant WAVE POOL, interactive water play structure for kids, two waterslides, steam room, sauna, and hot tubs all under one roof. Beyond that, they also have a full gym and fitness facility. This is a really cool building that offers tons for everybody to enjoy!
I have such fond memories of this building from when I was a child. I remember having my birthday parties there every year and playing for hours with my friends making giant ‘floaty fortresses’ in the big pool with all the foam toys. You’d be just about to commandeer and board an enemy floating fortress when –BUZZZZ! The famous ‘buzzer’ goes off, causing everyone in the room to scream, and then run to the wave pool to catch the first waves. The waves are actually a good size too; with enough oomph to keep you thoroughly entertained as brave children get steamrolled and dragged out to – ok, they’re not THAT big! The pool is a lot of fun though, even for the little guys! Waves not your thing? Watermania has two huge waterslides as well, the windy red one and the blue tube one. No matter what anyone tells you, the blue one is the best one as well as the fastest one. After years of competitive slide racing I remain undefeated in the ‘the tube.’ (still accepting challenges)
One of my other favourite highlights of the building is of course the diving boards and the fabled ‘platform.’ (5 metres!) Unfortunately today I was unable to bribe any small children to belly flop off of it (great for the camera), however it remains to be a really awesome jump. I remember bombing off it as a kid with no regard for my safety as my horrified parents watched me smack the water. The platform is a cruel mistress, but the stinging sensation of awesomeness after hitting the water and winding yourself will always be revered among your friends.
Watermania is a great facility offering a ton of entertainment for the whole family. Whether you want to just relax in the hot tub, live your fantasy of being Tarzan on the rope swing, or just bob around like a cork in the wave pool, this facility offers it all. If you’re in Richmond, definitely head down and check out Watermania! Oh, and if you manage to actually beat the blue slide, email me as I believe it fundamentally impossible. :)
- VideoChris