I came form California and I'm overweight. In fact I didn't take up swimming until again until I spent 3 years in Arizona. Now, there was a country club pool I could have swam there but I didn't. In fact in my area in Arizona there are public pools or health club pools as just are ready as there was in California. I think that many people back east are probably are into other sports more like figure Skating, in fact a top figure skater name Sasha Cohen went back there to get better coaching and a better facility. Also, just because Long Island isn't into swimming as much as the Pacific region doesn't mean they don't workout. Also, I enjoy indoor pools, something that both California and Arizona lack. The weather is not always rosy in either states. There are sometimes bad rain storms in California in the January or February period and Monsoon conditions in Arizona in the summer. The New Yorkers are a little wiser to built the indoor pools, in Tempe we had rain problems and the 800 was delayed until the next day and the 200 IM relays got cancel. Now back east and in the mid-west where pools are mainly indoors they could have continue on with the meet.
Former Member
Mark:
From the Town of the Cow.....I am in the room....The sun comes up here first....then go's everywhere else......No honest...
Former Member
The other thing to consider is if New York is successful in pulling off the Olympics as LA was in 84 this may help in building programs and facilities. The Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in Pasadena is one such facility that was built on the site of the old Brookside Plunge, but with donations including one from the AAF (foundation set up from the 'profits' of the 84 Olympics). Add to that the building or renovations of other athletic venues can really help programs out.
In regards to indoor pools vs outdoor pools, just because you swim indoors doesn't mean you are impervious to lightning strikes (a little better protected yes but not completely protected). The have been doing more and more studies on this, and as risk management takes a bigger role you may see it become more of an industry standard that all pools are closed (regardless of indoor/outdoor) if there is a possibility of a lightning strike.
Former Member
There is a good article about lightning and indoor pools at:
www.nata.org/.../lightning.pdf
It's from the Journal of Athletic Training, 2000;35(4):471-477.
It states: "....Lightning current can enter a building via the electric or telephone wiring. It can also enter via a ground current through the incoming plumbing pipelines. This condition makes locker-room shower areas, swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), telephones, and electric appliances unsafe during thunderstorms because of the possible contact with current-carrying conduction...
...Even though a swimming pool may be indoors and apparently safe, it can be a dangerous location during thunderstorms. The current can be propagated through plumbing and electric connections via the underwater lights and drains of most swimming pools. Lightning current can also enter the building, either into the electric wiring inside the building or through underground plumbing pipelines that enter the building. If lightning strikes the building or the ground nearby, the current will most likely follow these pathways to the swimmers through the water. Thus, indoor-pool activities are potentially dangerous and should be avoided during thunderstorms..."
Former Member
New York's current plan is to build a permanent three pool complex (two swimming pools and a diving well) in Astoria Park, which is on the Queens side of the East River. It would replace an existing, very old (and decrepit) pool complex. The hope is to build it with private money, but the city or state might have to contribute.
Former Member
Hi there! I've been spending some time reading all of these posts on this thread which has fogged my reading specs. Everyone's input as to what part of these United States is best for living reminds me of an old Latin idiom, de gustibus non est disputandem. Simply put, it means to each is his own.
Certainly, there are places of this great country where some would rather live, and other places where others would rather live. The point here is that not everyone is going to like where you live. So, don't take too much offense when someone "disses" where you live, as there are probably +'s and -'s to every locale.
I believe we should all be thankful we have the freedom to choose where we live. As far as offense taken from the posts on this particular thread, none taken here. I thought it rather amusing! I figured that no one was picking on the Baltimore area. :D
