{"id":320623,"date":"2023-03-01T08:47:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T16:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/?p=320623"},"modified":"2023-03-02T08:50:12","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T16:50:12","slug":"plunge-debuts-new-floating-obstacle-course-for-belmont-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/plunge-debuts-new-floating-obstacle-course-for-belmont-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Plunge debuts new floating obstacle course in Belmont Park"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What could be more fun than a floating obstacle course for kids of all ages? A new and improved obstacle course at <a href=\"https:\/\/plungesandiego.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plunge San Diego<\/a> in Belmont Park.<\/p>\n<p>Operators of the historic Plunge pool opened its latest aquatic attraction to the public on March 1. The new course, designed exclusively for Plunge in collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionaquaparks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Union Aquaparks<\/a>, provides increased space to play, inclusivity for more ages, and increased safety.<\/p>\n<p>Spencer Meinburg, the general manager at Plunge San Diego, divulged the reason for the redesigned obstacle course. \u201cWe\u2019re appealing to children and families,\u201d he said, pointing out that Plunge held some 1,300 kid\u2019s birthday parties last year for its approximately 4,000 members.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we reopened our facility after COVID, we realized our huge pool had nothing fun to do for kids that were here, other than some inflatable toys that we had that didn\u2019t amuse them for more than an hour. That\u2019s where the obstacle course came in.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_320625\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-320625\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-320625 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-300x280.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"280\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-1024x955.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-768x716.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-1536x1432.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-2048x1909.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-13x12.jpg 13w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-750x699.jpg 750w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228195607\/1a-DSC_4356_edited-1140x1063.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/280;\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-320625\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kids run on the new floating obstacle course\u00a0at Plunge San Diego in Belmont Park on Feb. 28. PHOTO BY THOMAS MELVILLE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Meinburg described one stretch of the new obstacle course called risky business. \u201cIt\u2019s an up and down wave that guests will run up and over with a couple of little hills, then they come around and go through a tunnel and a wiggle track before more running while floating on the water: They (kids) love it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re excited to see this exclusive inflatable obstacle course come to life,\u201d agreed Steve Thomas of Belmont Park. \u201cWe believe that this course will be a game changer for Plunge San Diego as we are always looking for innovative ways to create a more inclusive experience for all of our guests. We can\u2019t wait to see visitors take on the challenge and have a blast with their friends and family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The new course will feature a variety of challenging obstacles, inflatable tunnels, and hurdles that will test the balance and coordination of guests of all ages. The official obstacle course\u2019s name will be announced, once the community votes on the winning name.<\/p>\n<p>For the comfort of its members and guests, Meinburg said the water temperature of the pool is kept between 82 and 84 degrees year-round. And because its roof is retractable, the general manager noted the pool is \u201copen to all weather conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meinburg added the Plunge is historical in more ways than one. \u201cIt is a historic landmark in the City,\u201d he said. \u201cSome scenes from the movie \u2018Top Gun\u2019 were filmed here, as well as ads for Nike and Speedo. We\u2019ve also had Olympic gold medalists train here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meinberg added the pool accommodates 1,000 to 2,000 guests per day, adding the new obstacle course \u201cadds space for people to recreate and play together as a family.\u201d The obstacle course is open to those ages 5 through 60. \u201cThere will be a toddler time early in the morning for kids ages 3 to 6 before it gets too busy,\u201d he said, noting the Plunge is now divided between the obstacle course and seven, 25-yard swim lanes where swim lessons and other aquatic programs are offered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re here to enhance the fun and serve the San Diego community,\u201d concluded Meinburg. \u201cThis new obstacle course just allows us to better serve those people who come through our doors, and to attract new customers as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Plunge San Diego is open daily from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Swim passes are available to the general public and can also be purchased on-site.\u00a0For more information, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/plungesandiego.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">plungesandiego.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-320626 alignleft lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-1024x749.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-768x562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-1536x1124.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-2048x1499.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-750x549.jpg 750w, https:\/\/cdn.sdnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20230228200237\/2-DSC_4376_edited-1140x834.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/220;\" \/>THE PLUNGE<\/p>\n<p>The nearly century-old Belmont Park on Ocean Front at Surfrider Square is renowned for its iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster, which turns 98 this year, and the historic and recently rebuilt indoor pool, The Plunge, inside of Fit Mission Beach.<\/p>\n<p>Originally built in 1925, the historic Plunge Pool was, at the time, the largest saltwater pool in the world, holding 355,000 gallons of water. The pool was designed after the Spanish Renaissance-style buildings in Balboa Park, built in 1915 and 1916. The pool was converted to fresh water in 1940, becoming the largest heated pool in Southern California.<\/p>\n<p>In 2019, Plunge San Diego reopened after undergoing a $12 million renovation, transforming it into a new and modernized experience that included the addition of the original obstacle course. Today, Plunge San Diego is one of the largest pools in Southern California, with aesthetics that reflect floor-to-ceiling windows and a retractable roof, allowing swimmers to enjoy the warm San Diego weather year-round. The pool is 10,500 square feet, 175 feet long, and 60 feet wide with views looking out to Mission Beach.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What could be more fun than a floating obstacle course for kids of all ages? A new and improved obstacle course at Plunge San Diego in Belmont Park. Operators of the historic Plunge pool opened its latest aquatic attraction to the public on March 1. The new course, designed exclusively for Plunge in collaboration with [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":840,"featured_media":320671,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"11559","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"What could be more fun than a floating obstacle course for kids of all ages? 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