University of Georgia Athletics
Gabrielsen Natatorium
June 22, 2006 | General
| Capacity: | 2,000 |
| Pools (3): | 50-meter competition pool, diving pool, and instructional pool |
Address | Directions:
330 River Road
Room 135
Athens, GA 30602
Ramsey Student Center
Within the Ramsey Center lies the home of Georgia's Swimming and Diving program -- the Gabrielsen Natatorium. Dedicated in January of 1996, the Natatorium honors the service of legendary swimming coach B.W. Gabrielsen. Known commonly as the "Shrewd Norwegian," Gabrielsen was head coach of the Bulldogs from 1948 to 1966 and accumulated a dual meet record of 118-106-4. His list of accomplishments a head coach includes instructing 70 SEC championship, three conference team champions, six All-Americans, one NCAA champion and the Bulldogs' first U.S. Olympic Team member.
The natatorium area contains three separate pools. The 50-meter competition pool contains 844,000 gallons of water and can be configured into four different layouts by utilizing the two movable bulkheads to allow for both short- and long-course training.
Adjacent to the main pool is seating for nearly 2,000 spectators. The Aquatic Director's Office, swimming and diving coaches' offices, Timing Room, locker rooms and lifeguard offices, are all located on the deck level.
Two 1-meter springboards, two 3-meter springboards and five diving platforms (1, 3, 5, 7.5 and 10-meters) cantilever over the diving pool. The diving pool is 16 to 17 feet deep, contains 525,000 gallons of water and is equipped with an air sparger system to cushion a diver's entry into the water.
An instructional and recreational pool is located behind the diving platform area. This pool has eight swimming lanes, 25-yards long, contains 130,000 gallons of water and varies in depth from 3.5 feet at each end to 5 feet in the center.
Hosting the SEC Championships in February of 1997, Georgia welcomed the top swimmers and divers to Gabrielsen Natatorium for its first major competition. In the fall of 1997, U.S. Diving used Gabrielsen Natatorium as the site of the 1997 World Championship Team Trials, a selection meet for the U.S. diving contingent representing America at the World Championships, Jan. 8-18, 1998, in Perth, Australia.
Georgia served as host of the 1999 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships at the Gabrielsen Natatorium, welcoming the top student-athletes from across the United States and beyond to its doors. Not only did the Gabrielsen Natatorium enjoy capacity crowds through the thrilling three-day event, but the home team Lady Bulldogs met with unmatched success, claiming a program-first NCAA team title in front of a largely hometown audience.
Most recently the facility again showcased the top swimming and diving athletes from across the country, as the 2002 NCAA Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championships took place in Gabrielsen Natatorium on March 28-30, 2002.
For what is arguably the toughest swimming and diving conference in the country, Gabrielsen Natatorium once again opened its doors to the best of the Southeastern Conference as Georgia hosted the 2004 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships.
