Layton's 500,000-gallon Surf 'N Swim is northern Utah's only year-round wave pool. (Utah's only other continuous wave pool recently opened up in Price.)
The $2.5 million Layton facility opened in 1986 and was built because a survey of city residents indicated they wanted such a pool. (See related story on Page B3.)Termed "Utah's Year-Round Ocean," the Surf 'N Swim has a 17,000-square foot surface and a water depth that ranges from a few inches to 8 feet. It is similar to the seasonal pool Raging Waters has.
The wave-making equipment is computerized and includes eight wave patterns. The pool normally operates on a 10-minute wave cycle and then shuts off for 10 minutes before the waves return.
Life guards have kill switches that can shut off the waves in about four seconds, should a swimmer get into trouble. Swimmers must have a tube to ride the waves in the deep end of the pool.
According to Monte Green, Layton Aquatics Manager, the Surf 'N Swim water temperature is kept at 86 degrees, kind of a compromise on warmer vs. cooler.
A bubble is placed over the pool from September through May.
Admission costs are $3 per person in the summer (There's a bargain $1.50 twilight fee from 5 p.m. until closing) and winter rates are $2 per person.
Many coupons offer a family rate of $5, annual family passes cost $200 and individual passes go for $100. Tubes cost $2 and a 50 cent rebate is given when they are returned.
During the summer, swimmers have a bonus - they pay the one admission price and can also use the smaller, 140,000-gallon outdoor pool that's better for regular swimming and where diving is permitted. (No diving is allowed at the surf pool.)
There's also a steam room and sauna at the Surf 'N Swim facility. The pools can also be rented for private parties.
Lap swim is 5:30-10 a.m., swimming lessons are taught from 9 a.m. until noon and summer open wave is noon-8 p.m., Monday to Sunday. Layton's pools are also the site for the area's main lifeguard and CPR training programs through the Bonneville Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Since many Layton schools are on a year-round schedule, Green said the Surf N' Swim's lessons strive to accommodate latch-key children.
Layton High's swimming teams also use the Surf 'N Swim and involve about 100 students. Green said he hasn't yet been contacted regarding whether or not the students or competitive swim teams at the new Northridge High School are planning to use the facility.
The city has also approved spending $2,000 to promote the Surf 'N Swim and seek better use of the facility during the off-season.