Medellín Opens Year-Round Swimming Programs for All Ages

Medellín aquatic centres recorded 2,450 new registrations for group swim programs in the first week of July 2026, up from 1,980 during the same period last year.

The increase tracks with steady demand for water-based exercise that suits the city’s consistent 24-degree climate and appeals to residents who prefer group settings over solo gym routines. Local health data from the past two years shows more adults over 50 seeking joint-friendly activities after clinic visits for back and knee issues rose 12 percent between 2023 and 2025.

Named venues serving Laureles and El Poblado

The Piscina de Laureles on Avenida 33 between Carreras 39 and 40 runs weekday water-walking classes for adults at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., plus Saturday family lanes reserved for children aged 4 to 12. Three blocks away, the Centro Acuático Comfama in El Poblado on Carrera 43A offers mixed-age stroke clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays that pair experienced swimmers with beginners. Both sites belong to the city’s Indeportes network and share a single online booking system that opened new slots on 1 July.

Staff at each pool also coordinate monthly community events. Laureles hosts a free 45-minute splash session for retirees every second Friday, while the El Poblado location adds a parent-toddler group on Sunday mornings that caps enrollment at 25 pairs to keep instruction ratios low.

Prices and participation figures

Indeportes Medellín figures show 3,812 total participants across all aquatic programs through June 2026. A single 60-minute group session costs 18,000 Colombian pesos for adults and 12,000 pesos for children under 14, with monthly passes available for 65,000 pesos. The same report notes that 38 percent of current enrollees are aged 50 or older, reflecting the city’s push to keep older residents active through low-impact options.

Residents can reserve spots through the Indeportes app or at the front desks on Avenida 33 and Carrera 43A. Schedules for the next four weeks list openings in beginner, intermediate and senior tracks, with new sessions beginning 14 July.