.png)
2 hours ago
9
Article content
Touted as an “immersive” experience, the event lived up to the billing. With the lane markers removed, I spent most of my time in the water floating in aimless circles, buoyed by a pool noodle, trying to make out the shape of the music under too-bright lights, which were necessary for the lifeguards to do their job.
Article content
In truth, it was a challenge to hear anything over the enthusiastic chatter in the first set. People were excited to hang out in a pool with their friends; many had arrived early, formed a line to get into the building and another line for the change room, where they jostled for space — politely, of course. They couldn’t wait to get in the water.
Article content
Meanwhile, the audio engineer had his work cut out for him in getting the levels right in the echoey space. Possibly because he wasn’t working from the middle of the pool, to my ears the sound was best on the upper level, and hard to hear in the pool. It would have been cool to hear the tunes underwater, too, but the underwater speaker conked out early and no amount of tinkering brought it back. (Interestingly, the speaker was purchased by the city a few years back for synchronized swim practices.)
Article content
Article content
Article content
This was the third sold-out DJ event Debaser has presented in the King Edward Avenue facility, but it will be a few months until the next one. The building is closed for the summer, from May 1 to Aug. 31, for repairs to the roof.
Article content
Casting back to her initial pitch to city officials, Weldon was pleasantly surprised at the reaction to her urge to throw a pool party. “It seemed like a wacky idea at the beginning but now that they see how much the public enjoys it, they’ve been really easy to work with and great at facilitating it,” she said, noting that Debaser has been working with the city for the last five years while organizing Pique.
Article content
“We have a good relationship with the city and facility managers,” she added. “I think that helped ease any concerns.”
Article content
Still, there were some lessons along the way. One, for example, involved the number of beats per minute of the music in relation to the temperature of the water. Because it’s considered a fitness pool, the water is noticeably colder than recreational pools.
Article content
“Our one complaint from people is that they get really cold even with the sauna,” said Weldon, describing the music of the first two pool shows as “minimal, ambient drone music” and recognizing the need to pick up the pace. “This time we’re doing something with more of an electronic pulse.”
Article content
Article content
Indeed. Between the chill of the water and the flow of the tunes, I had to invent some expansive, underwater moves to stay warm. A few of Champagne’s regular lane swimmers could be seen darting among the crowd, but most of the time there were too many bodies to swim lengths. About 120 people turned out.
Article content
Article content
Due to capacity regulations, not everyone could be in the pool at once so latecomers were directed to the mezzanine until spaces opened up. They didn’t have to wait long; sooner or later, the frigid water prompted everyone to cram into the compact, poolside sauna. Also on hand were urns of hot tea, courtesy of David’s Tea, a nice touch but there should have been more of it. Wisely, alcohol was not available.
Article content
I spent the first set alternating between the water and the sauna. During the intermission, still in my damp bathing suit, I explored the second level, where there’s a weight room and boxing club.
Article content
Just when I was starting to feel uncomfortable with the dampness and wishing I’d brought a second swimsuit, my friend insisted on going back in the pool for the second set. I was reluctant, but by this point, the crowd had dwindled and there was room to swim a few laps. I took the plunge.
Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·