Fat Pool Party

Come to our third annual Fat Pool Party! 

Soak in the sun, enjoy the laughs and build community!

Saturday, July 18:  1-5pm
                and
Saturday, Aug 22:  1-5pm

Join us in our gorgeous venue in Mill Bay, BC for a community event like no other! The venue is a 45 min drive from Victoria or an hour from Nanaimo and well worth the trip.

Swim in the heated outdoor pool, relax inside in the air conditioned house, and meet other great folks in the community!

Food & drinks will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks as well. There are a limited number of chairs and loungers (some with arms and some without), but feel free to bring your own chair if that feels good.

Exact address will be provided via email.

We will have an optional community zoom call approx one week before our pool party to introduce ourselves and answer any questions. 

CAR POOLING 

While we don't officially organize carpooling for anyone, there will be posts on social media leading up to the event for folks to get connected. The house is a 30 minute walk from the 66 bus stop, so while it is possible to transit , we find folks have enjoyed building community on the drive to and from the event. 

STAY OVERNIGHT 

Coming out of town? Or want to soak up the fun for longer? Email or DM us on Instagram for more information!

WHY WE USE THE WORD FAT

We use the word fat intentionally. In a culture that treats "fat" as something to fear or fix, we reclaim it as a neutral, descriptive word - free from shame! For us, fat isn't an insult. It's a lived experience, a community, and a space for joy, resistance and liberation!

LOVE NOTE ABOUT BODY SIZE

Fat, plus size, fluffy, large... whatever name or description you use for your body, we know how hard it can be to celebrate ourselves in a world built for smaller bodies. That’s why we’re creating this event specifically for larger bodies ONLY. There’s something powerful and joyful about being in a space filled with folks who share similar lived experiences—and that’s exactly what this is: a chance to come together, have fun, and enjoy ourselves exactly as we are.

If you’re interested in this event but have a smaller body (often called thin or straight-sized), please know that while we appreciate our allies, this space isn’t for you. We recommend reading "Fategories - Understanding the Fat Spectrum" if you'd like more clarification on body size. 

If you don't have any other fat friends to come with, we know it's intimidating to consider coming alone, but we encourage you to show up and make new friends in our incredible community. We'll be having an optional Welcome Call on Zoom so be sure to attend if you want to meet some folks ahead of time. 

INCLUSIVITY MATTERS 🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🥰

This is a space where queer and trans folks are not only welcomed, but celebrated. We believe in creating joyful, affirming spaces where all identities can show up fully and safely. Homophobia, transphobia, racism, fatphobia, or any form of discrimination will not be tolerated. We’re here to uplift one another—exactly as we are.

ACCESSIBILITY INFO

The bathrooms and shower on the main floor are accessible through one step up (or no steps if you enter via the front door), and there are two bathrooms with showers upstairs. Upstairs will also have a low stim room with colouring books, fidget toys and books. The pool deck will have a mix of chairs, couches and loungers. There are two steps into the pool, there is no handle but we will have a chair at the top, and there will always be folks around to offer a sturdy helping hand as needed. If you have any specific accessibility needs/questions, please contact us at fatpoolparty@gmail.com.

FOR COMMUNITY, BY COMMUNITY

Fat Pool Parties are a labour of love, created to build joyful, affirming space for fat community. Over the past two years, Susie and Katie have personally contributed significant funds to keep this event accessible. As we grow, we’re working toward making it sustainable while continuing to prioritize access.

This year, we’re introducing a Community Fund. 

If cost is a barrier, reach out here and we’ll send you a discount code as funds are available - no explanation needed. Discounted tickets will be released on a first come, first serve basis as funds become available. 

If you’re able, please consider contributing when purchasing your ticket. Every dollar helps someone else join us. 💛

🌊 SPONSOR OUR POOL PARTY☀️

We’re so excited about bringing our community together for this splashy summer celebration - and we’re looking for awesome sponsors to help make it unforgettable! If you or your business want to support joy, connection, and local vibes (plus get some great visibility), we’d love to hear from you. This year we’re specifically looking for either raffle prizes or support in subsiding the cost of tickets for folks who need it. 

OTHER INFO

Early bird tickets will be available until May 15, get them before they’re gone! Prices will increase to $75 per event on May 16.

Save $5 by registering for both events at once.

Payment plans are now available! Use Klarna (via Stripe), Paypal Pay Later or offline e-transfers when checking out.

Love the event but can’t go to this one? Join our Facebook page or follow us on instagram to stay in the loop!  

OUR ORGANIZING TEAM

A huge shout out to our organizing team: Erin Rose, Katie Webb, Susie Bowles. We volunteer our time because we love expanding Fat Community on the island.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at fatpoolparty@gmail.com.