Hello,
I have heard people say that some pools are 'fast,' but never really thought too much about it before a recent meet I swam in.
Our AZ State Long Course (50m) meets had usually been held at the Phoenix Swim Club, and I competed in several meets there. This year, it was held at the ASU Mona Plummer facility.
I know that it is possible for improvement over a year, especially with the coaching staff I'm exposed to, but is it really possible to shed 2 seconds in a 50m ***? Or over 8 seconds in the 200m *** over a year? About 9 seconds in the 800m free...
No, I have not (yet) purchased a full-body suit, but have considered that for some time. I have heard that they can make a difference too.
I guess I'm just trying to see if I can take the credit as self improvements, or if the ASU pool is significantly 'faster' than the Phoenix Swim Club.
Any comments would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Tim Murphy
Parents
Former Member
Fast pools do indeed exist. Some of the conditions that I've always associated with this have to do with pool depth. water temperature and gutter design.
During high school we used to have our AAU finals at The United States Military Academy located in West Point. And that pool was deep, had crisp water temperature, and very good overhead lighting. Could have been the end of the year taper and shave, but the every member of the team would come home with personal bests year after year.
I think the reality of the situation is that shallow pools, (25 yards), and less than eight lanes are more susceptible to wave action depending on the overflow capacity of the gutter system. And secondly there's something psychological about swimming in a deep, wide pool versus a 'bathtub' kind of facility. One of my teammates however, Bobby Hackett, went on to Olympic glory in 1976. And we were training in a six lane 'ghetto' pool. Go figure!
Fast pools do indeed exist. Some of the conditions that I've always associated with this have to do with pool depth. water temperature and gutter design.
During high school we used to have our AAU finals at The United States Military Academy located in West Point. And that pool was deep, had crisp water temperature, and very good overhead lighting. Could have been the end of the year taper and shave, but the every member of the team would come home with personal bests year after year.
I think the reality of the situation is that shallow pools, (25 yards), and less than eight lanes are more susceptible to wave action depending on the overflow capacity of the gutter system. And secondly there's something psychological about swimming in a deep, wide pool versus a 'bathtub' kind of facility. One of my teammates however, Bobby Hackett, went on to Olympic glory in 1976. And we were training in a six lane 'ghetto' pool. Go figure!
