photos What A Night of Pool Hopping Looks Like in Toronto

Who needs expensive getaways when there's an escape just down the block?





SHOW CAPTION  ✉ Share on:  69279 The irony of this sign, which reads, "No trespassing after pool operating hours," isn't simply that people trespass anyway. No, the <em>real</em> irony is that the sign itself acts as a very useful platform to place your foot on while breaking in.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 001-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0014-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/001-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0014-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/001-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0014-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/001-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0014-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/001-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0014-corbin_smith/ 001-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0014-corbin_smith 0 0 69280 <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 002-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0012-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/002-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0012-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/002-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0012-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/002-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0012-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/002-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0012-corbin_smith/ 002-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0012-corbin_smith 0 0 69281 Not your traditional public pool accessories.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 003-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0015-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/003-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0015-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/003-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0015-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/003-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0015-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/003-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0015-corbin_smith/ 003-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0015-corbin_smith 0 0 69282 There is no flowing water to lubricate the waterslide after hours. On this particular night, a couple of visitors solved this problem with a cup or two of dish soap and a bucket of water. Pro tip: the less clothing in contact with the slide, the faster you'll go.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 004-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0022-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/004-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0022-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/004-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0022-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/004-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0022-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/004-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0022-corbin_smith/ 004-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0022-corbin_smith 0 0 69283 <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 005-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0117-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/005-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0117-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/005-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0117-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/005-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0117-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/005-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0117-corbin_smith/ 005-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0117-corbin_smith 0 0 69284 Pushing the danger scale higher, a Toronto-based rock musician impresses the audience with a diving board headstand.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 006-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0095-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/006-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0095-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/006-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0095-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/006-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0095-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/006-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0095-corbin_smith/ 006-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0095-corbin_smith 0 0 69285 Impromptu stunt dive competition.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 007-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0066-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/007-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0066-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/007-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0066-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/007-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0066-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/007-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0066-corbin_smith/ 007-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0066-corbin_smith 0 0

69286 <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 008-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0073-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/008-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0073-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/008-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0073-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/008-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0073-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/008-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0073-corbin_smith/ 008-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0073-corbin_smith 0 0 69287 A dress isn't what most people would classify as swimming attire, but who really cares?<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 009-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0109-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/009-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0109-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/009-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0109-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/009-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0109-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/009-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0109-corbin_smith/ 009-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0109-corbin_smith 0 0 69288 After hours, there are no rules dictating which direction one must travel along the water slide. These two pool hoppers have stopped either halfway down, or halfway up, to take in the view.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 010-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0100-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/010-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0100-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/010-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0100-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/010-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0100-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/010-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0100-corbin_smith/ 010-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0100-corbin_smith 0 0 69289 Tandem diving from the waterslide platform into the shallow end of the pool. (Absolutely nothing about this is either smart or safe.)<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 011-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0055-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/011-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0055-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/011-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0055-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/011-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0055-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 626 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/011-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0055-corbin_smith/ 011-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0055-corbin_smith 0 0 69290 The smaller pool in the background is a warmer option, preferred by those who want to simply lounge.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 012-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0096-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/012-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0096-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/012-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0096-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/012-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0096-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/012-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0096-corbin_smith/ 012-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0096-corbin_smith 0 0 69291 A stereotypical drunken obnoxious fratboy type points at an unimpressed female in her underwear. This was the extent of their exchange. He undoubtedly went home and tried to search for her on Facebook.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 013-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0111-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/013-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0111-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/013-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0111-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/013-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0111-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/013-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0111-corbin_smith/ 013-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0111-corbin_smith 0 0 69292 This is one of the only appropriate-to-publish photos of these two girls. Apologies to the fratboy in the previous photo who came here to see nudie pics.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 014-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0115-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/014-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0115-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/014-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0115-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/014-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0115-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/014-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0115-corbin_smith/ 014-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0115-corbin_smith 0 0

69293 The tandem base jumpers are still alive, and taking a break to re-hydrate.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 015-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0116-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/015-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0116-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/015-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0116-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/015-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0116-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/015-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0116-corbin_smith/ 015-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0116-corbin_smith 0 0 69294 <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 016-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0065-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/016-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0065-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/016-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0065-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/016-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0065-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/016-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0065-corbin_smith/ 016-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0065-corbin_smith 0 0 69295 While some pool hoppers choose to jeopardize their health by jumping from foolish heights, these pool hoppers do so while staying on the ground.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 017-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0081-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/017-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0081-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/017-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0081-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/017-20110723-Christie_Pitts_Pool_Hopping-0081-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/017-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0081-corbin_smith/ 017-20110723-christie_pitts_pool_hopping-0081-corbin_smith 0 0 69296 This is what happens when someone yells "COPS!"<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 018-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0126-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/018-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0126-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/018-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0126-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/018-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0126-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/018-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0126-corbin_smith/ 018-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0126-corbin_smith 0 0 69297 Three police officers look on as the very last pool hopper vacates.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 019-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0150-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/019-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0150-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/019-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0150-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/019-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0150-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/019-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0150-corbin_smith/ 019-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0150-corbin_smith 0 0 69298 Police cruisers parked outside of the pool, while in the distance pool hoppers make their way home.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 020-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0135-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/020-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0135-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/020-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0135-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/020-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0135-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/020-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0135-corbin_smith/ 020-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0135-corbin_smith 0 0 69299 The exodus of pool hoppers heading home after being removed by the police.<br /> <br /> <em>Corbin Smith/Torontoist</em> 021-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0154-Corbin_Smith https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/021-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0154-Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/021-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0154-Corbin_Smith.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/021-20110721-Christie_Pits_BreakIn-0154-Corbin_Smith.jpg 1024 576 https://torontoist.com/2011/07/pool_hopping/slide/021-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0154-corbin_smith/ 021-20110721-christie_pits_breakin-0154-corbin_smith 0 0



Shortly after outdoor public pools close for the evening, the real action begins. On almost any given summer night in outdoor pools across the city, pool-hoppers start arriving no more than a half hour past midnight to get in on a very illegal, yet very appealing, late night pool party. A constant flow of people, of all ages and cultures, come and go throughout the night—more often than not until 4 a.m. or later, provided that the cops don’t arrive to break up the festivities.

Last week, which saw some of the hottest daytime temperatures on record in the city, the influx of illegal swimmers coming to Toronto’s public pools was also likely pushing records—though it’s not as if anyone is keeping precise data on these kinds of things. Though Thursday night, when we tagged along with some pool hoppers at Christie Pits to see the party in action, we did overhear one police officer say that the number of departing swimmers was the largest he had ever seen at any Toronto pool, ever. (The photos that accompany this story were taken last week, from Thursday through Saturday night.) Luckily for the overwhelming number of trespassing swimmers, the collective discretion of the officers determined that so long as everyone left promptly, no fines would be issued and no arrests made. (This didn’t really prevent pandemonium from breaking out among the rookie pool hoppers when some guy yelled “Shit! The cops are here!”)

Hint to any people who might try pool hopping at some point: if the authorities show up, remember that you are in a giant cage with 10-foot walls. You are at the mercy of the officers, so your best bet is to get along with them in the most respectful and polite manner possible.

What might be the most compelling aspect of pool hopping, besides the unquestionable illicit fun, is the ad-hoc community which forms each night. Pool hopping isn’t a scene. You won’t get glaring looks for not wearing the right kind of clothes (or for not wearing any clothes at all), you’re not expected to like a certain kind of band, or have a specific favourite beer, or belong to some particular subculture. There are simply no social barriers to participating in this illegal activity—though there are plenty of, well, actual barriers to participating.

Those physical barriers, in the form of 10-foot–high fences, are merely the introduction to the collaborative adventure that is pool-hopping. Few people scale the fences without the support of their friends who have come along with them, or the new friends that they make upon arrival. Typically everyone wants everyone else to have a good time, and the first step is getting everyone in.

You can easily tell who are the seasoned pool hoppers—the ones who thought well enough ahead to wear some kind of swimming attire, and were considerate enough to bring their alcohol in non-breakable plastic bottles and wine boxes. The veterans will also be the ones to explain to the rookies that they need to keep their voices and music down unless they are hoping for someone living close by to call in a noise complaint to the police. This veteran cast of characters includes, but is not limited to: free spirited (naked) hippie types, drunken frat boys hoping to get a glimpse of a nipple or two, show-boaters who risk severe personal injury to impress their friends and other pool hoppers, lovers who sit off to the side in the kiddie pool and make out, and buddies who lounge about smoking and drinking. All of them are just looking for some good-spirited fun in friendly company.

And really, how could you not have a good time when all of a sudden you find the chance to do everything you weren’t allowed to do at the pool as a kid? Running on the deck, check. Multiple people going down the slide at once, check. Multiple people going up the slide at once? Swimming naked? Making out with your significant other? Checks on all accounts.