El Paso’s Gus and Goldie Mascots To Debut New Look This Friday

El Paso's favorite swimming duo, Gus and Goldie, will debut a makeover this weekend at Memorial Aquatic Center.

For decades Gus and Goldie have taught El Pasoans to learn how to swim, and now after 32 years, the life-size mascots are getting a new look.

They were initially co-created in 1979 as hand puppets by William Cowan and Gayle Vokes to promote the Learn to Swim program in El Paso. Soon after, Gus and Goldie grew into life-size mascots and branched out as a franchise model to other markets.

Speaking to Cowan's son Bill about the reboot of Gus and Goldie, he shared that his dad "would appreciate a new makeover to get more kids involved in learning to swim and to practice water safety."

Over the years, Gus and Goldie's trademark has expanded to safety videos, educational tools, activity books, t-shirts, and other merchandise, including a video counting down vital swim rules.

And now, the iconic duo are getting a much-needed upgrade as the El Paso Parks and Recreation teams reveal their new look, followed by a free swim night at Memorial Aquatic Center this Friday.

While we'll have to wait until this weekend to see the duo revamped, we hope they retain their classic appeal and that Goldie keeps her fabulous iconic lashes.

Join Gus and Goldie this Friday for a free swim at Memorial Aquatic Center, one of the few El Paso Parks and Recreation swimming pools currently open to the public.

As of right now, there are only five facilities open for public swimming, including:

• Eastside Natatorium at The Beast - 13501 Jason Crandall, El Paso, TX 79938
• Marty Robbins Aquatic Center at 11600 Vista Del Sol Dr., El Paso, TX 79936
• Memorial Aquatic Center at 3251 Copper Ave., El Paso, TX 79930
• Veterans Aquatic Center at 5301 Salem Dr., El Paso, TX 79924
• Westside Natatorium at 650 Wallenberg Dr., El Paso, TX 79912

For more details and hours of operation on El Paso's Aquatic Center, visit elpasotexas.gov/parks-and-recreation/aquatics/aquatic-centers/.

Don't miss the fun, and check out Gus and Goldie's glam up with a free swim family night.

• Gus & Goldie Unveiling
• Memorial Aquatic Center at 3251 Copper Ave.
• Friday - April 8, 2022
• 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.