Where to swim in Van?

[Herb_The_Perb]

I love the big outdoor swimming pool at Second Beach in Stanley Park, and was there last week But I'm wondering if it isn't time to expand my horizons.
Are there as good better places to swim elsewhere?

Is it too cold to swim at the saltwater beaches, or are some of them warmer than others? (The Stanley Park pool is a toasty 81 degrees F.)

Where do the best-looking and skimpiest-dressed women hang out?
Is it hard to find Wreck Beach, and to get down to it from above? Where do you park to go there? Are the babes there hot? Are single males looked on with disapproval there?

 

[Maury Beniowski]

Q. Are there as good better places to swim elsewhere?

A. English Bay and Kits are probably the best cared for, the babes are OK. Spanish Banks out by UBC is also good.

Q. Is it too cold to swim at the saltwater beaches, or are some of them warmer than others?

A. Warm beaches are more likely to be polluted (high coliforms) due to the shallower depths or the slower moving current. The Lower Mainland beaches are influenced either by the coloured Fraser River outflows, or the Juan de Fuca Straight clear blue but icy cold waters.

Q. Where do the best-looking and skimpiest-dressed women hang out?

A. English Bay is probably your best bet.

Q. Is it hard to find Wreck Beach, and to get down to it from above? Where do you park to go there?

A. Wreck Breach is situated at the extreme western point of the University Endownment Lands, behind UBC. The location is not marked, so you'll need to scout your way there. On a sunny day, there is a lot of foot traffic leading Wreck Beach, and should be no problem to find. The cliffside path, through a wooded area leading there is well-worn, and regulars park at the top in one of the adjacent parking areas.

Q. Are the babes there hot?

A. In a word, NOT...

Q. Are single males looked on with disapproval there?

A. Not at all, just don't stare or play with yourself too much. Enjoy it for what it's worth, it'll probably be your first and last visit, unless you are a naturist at heart.

 

[Jodie]

Is it hard to find Wreck Beach, and to get down to it from above? Where do you park to go there? Are the babes there hot? Are single males looked on with disapproval there?

There are several trails leading from Marine Drive (at UBC) down to Wreck Beach. Trail 6 is the most commonly-used trail (also the best maintained), and it leads down to the busiest part of the beach. It is found on the north side of where University Blvd and Marine Drive intersect. There is some parking on Marine Drive, or you can park in UBC's parkade close by.

The people down on Wreck Beach come in all shapes and sizes. There are hotties and not-so-hotties. It's a place to go for the cool atmosphere, not for the eye candy.

Single males are not looked on with disapproval, unless they're fully dressed and obviously just down there to gawk (or take photos or videos). If you're planning to do that, go elsewhere, because the regulars will be all over you.

Also, make sure your fitness level is adequate enough that you can get back up all those stairs when it's time to go home

 

[Herb_The_Perb]

Also, make sure your fitness level is adequate enough that you can get back up all those stairs when it's time to go home

Hell, stairs are easy, compared to slopes -- unless there's 150 or more steps. Then that could be taxing.

Thanks Jodie and Maury for the very helpful responses.

 

[luckydog71]

IAre there as good better places to swim elsewhere?

I have been to 2nd beach and for the most part I found lots of families with small kids.

I like 3rd beach much better. The last time I was there was a year ago, but parking was good; the people on the beach were more couples or groups of freinds. The ladies on the beach were great looking. Of course one guy came over and gave me shit after I had my binoculars trained on his GF for 10 minutes .

Oh, one more thing:
- I went to wreck beach about 10 years ago. IMO it was not worth the climb. There is a good reason why the beach is so welll hidden from public view.