Central Campus Pool Ends Season with ‘Polar Plunge’
Take a dip in ice water during outdoor pool’s last open day of the season
This Sunday, Duke Aquatics Director Steve McCune will dump 500 pounds of ice into Central Campus Outdoor Pool and open the gates to daring morning swimmers.
Members of the Duke community and their family members are invited to celebrate the pool’s last open day of the season on Sunday, Sept. 28, when they can jump into ice water and then enjoy hot chocolate, coffee and fresh pastries as part of a Duke ‘Polar Plunge.’
Read More“It’s got to be one of those invigorating life experiences that you just never forget,” said McCune, who is with Duke Recreation and Physical Education. “We’re hoping to provide exceptional opportunities and facilities, and this is in line with our mission to have fun while practicing safety and inclusiveness for everybody.”
The event is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Central Campus Pool located at 1917 Yearby Avenue. Duke community members must show their DukeCard ID, and if they or their family members have never used the pool before, they will be required to sign a waiver.
The pool opened in April and offered facility upgrades, more lifeguards and more programming. There were 1,934 visitors to Central Campus Pool in August, and 954 of those visitors were Duke faculty or staff members.
The outdoor facility has been closed this week due to falling temperatures; McCune said his staff closes the pool if the water temperature dips below 70. The last day this year that Central Campus Pool will be open is on Sunday.
The next time Duke swimmers will get to use the outdoor pool is in April of next year, he added. Duke’s indoor pools, at the Taishoff Aquatics Pavilion and Brodie Aquatics Center, remain open during the cold season.
“This is a chance to get out and get in the water,” McCune said of swimming outdoors at Duke. “It’s the last time.”