Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean your swimming and diving days have to be.
In August, NAU’s Wall Aquatic Center (WAC) got a complete refresh of its 50-meter Olympic pool just in time to invite incoming and returning Lumberjacks to explore its crystal-clear depths with WAC’s numerous aquatics programs.
The process included draining about 650,000 gallons of water and acid-washing every plastered surface to a shine. Cleaning technicians repainted and powder-coated the center’s diving platforms and replaced its indoor lighting to keep the pool pristine for the new school year.
Whether you want to dip a toe in with a daily pass or take the plunge with a yearlong membership, assistant director of campus operations Kristopher Walsh said there are multiple ways to take advantage of what the one-of-a-kind complex has to offer.
“You’re not going to find a facility at this level anywhere else in northern Arizona,” Walsh said. “For those wanting a spot for aquatic training, community pools like ours that sit at 7,000 feet are few and far between. We also have lots of opportunities for those looking for recreation, swimming lessons or regular workouts. We try to dabble in a little bit of everything and are always thinking of ways to continue growing.”
Admission costs for WAC’s daily open swim hours are included in NAU’s Health and Wellness Fee, meaning active Flagstaff-based students can access all open swim times with their student ID. School employees, affiliates and alumni can purchase discounted semester and annual memberships in person at the Aquatics and Tennis Complex.
In addition to WAC’s Olympic pool, diving tank and warm-up spa, members gain free admission to the facility’s masters swimming workouts on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Designed for advanced swimmers who are familiar with freestyle and interested in competitive training, these can span up to 4,000 yards.
Starting Sept. 15, WAC also will host NAU’s group swim lesson program, AquaJacks. Through the program, participants ages 3 and older progress through the American Red Cross swimming levels with the help of certified instructors who tailor the curriculum to their needs. They begin by learning to feel comfortable in the water and gradually develop their strokes until they can swim with ease.
More than 200 children participate in AquaJacks throughout the school year at various ability levels, attending up to four lessons a week depending on preference and program availability.
“One of the benefits of AquaJacks is that it’s a move-at-your-own-pace program,” Walsh said. “When the end of the month comes around and we start doing evaluations for the next month, it’s OK if an individual isn’t ready to move on. We’ll keep them right where they are. If we do feel that they’re ready to move on, we’ll have a space ready for them at the next level.”
If the idea of committing to a membership or swimming lesson program leaves you feeling like a fish out of water, Walsh encourages locals to visit the facility for free during public events like swim meets and diving invitationals. WAC will also be hosting SUN Entertainment’s annual free dive-in movie on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., giving students their first taste of the facility’s freshly updated features.
Find additional updates regarding WAC programs, open swim times, membership costs, closures and policy changes by following @nauwac on Instagram or visiting the WAC webpage. Those interested in AquaJacks can add their name to the program’s waitlist by emailing NAUswimschool@nau.edu.
