Bhubaneswar, May 10: Fed up of wilting in the heat, residents have made water parks and swimming camps their hangout zone this season.

Ocean World, the water park located at Phulnakhra, is turning out to be a preferable getaway option for the residents. Equipped with some adventurous water slides, joy rides or artificial waves, the theme park witnesses a footfall of over 500 everyday.

Located midway between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the park offers amusement and recreation while chilling in water under the summer sun. One can find splash pads, pool house, mushroom showers all of which guarantee fun in the sweltering heat.

"Spending time inside AC rooms or visiting malls to escape the heat gets boring after a point of time. The park offers a lot of excitement along with entertainment and good food. Spending some time in the pool helps one recharge their batteries," said a visibly happy Mansi Senapati, a 29-year-old banker who visited the park today with her family.

To add to the pleasure is the natural and aesthetic surrounding of farms that make the amusement park a great place for a holiday.

"We are planning to add a few more rides this year - a cyclone and other rides for children," said Satyabrata Dhir, owner of the park.

With no signs of rain and the weathermen predicting scorching days ahead, many are also spending time in swimming clubs.

The Biju Patnaik swimming complex at Kalinga Stadium hosts over 500 people daily. The swimming training and practice sessions are held in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. Moreover, a number of educational institutes are also hosting swimming classes in the complex.

This apart, a number of high-end hotels in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have also opened their pools to the public. They are offering special facilities such as jet shower baths and gymnasiums. Sessions are conducted both during the morning and evening.

"This year not only children and youngsters, but many working women and middle-aged men are coming to our pools to cool off. While young professionals and college kids take up the morning classes, families, along with the children, prefer the evening slots," said Ananda Patnaik, manager of a well-known hotel in Nayapalli.

The registration fees start from Rs 3,000 a month and one can spend two to three hours in water every day. Though the pool packages at the private hotels are costlier than that of the Kalinga Stadium, people do not mind splurging for some comfort.

"The private pools are well-maintained and are safe. One gets personal attention from the trainers. That apart, it is a great exercise to stay fit," said Sweety Samantray, a 24-year-old IT professional.

For many, the pools are a place to make new friends. "I met a lot of new faces this year. We compete with each other in fun races and crack jokes," said Spandan Patnaik, a 32-year-old artist who has joined a swimming pool at a hotel near Kharavela Nagar.

A number of summer camps are also organising swimming lessons for kids during the school break.

And for those who cannot afford the pools, the local bodies have come to the rescue. These apart, a number of people are also going for the boat rides at the Nandankanan Zoological Park and at the Regional Plant Resource Centre.