How about some reminiscing about the worst pools you ever were forced to work out and/or compete in ??
Our old pool was 20 yards long, with gutters and the deck was about 2 feet above that. The water level was always low, so it was like ocean swimming every day. There were no starting blocks and the "lane lines" were nylon cord with a plastic bobber every 3 feet or so. The water was always quite warm to accomodate the family swims and lessons that were also sharing the pool during the day.
Since goggles had not yet been invented and the only antiseptic method was chlorine (lots of it), we would have those chlorine "light halos" until the next day. The kick-boards were solid, varnished wood and they doubled as pull-buoys. There were no fins or hand paddles.
Thank the higher power of your choice that we had a GREAT coach.
Oh, did I mention that they used to beat us with knives???
Bert
Parents
Former Member
Leaving aside all the 40 foot glorified bathtubs in hotels, my choice is a Y pool (name withheld to protect the guilty) I used when my regular pool was closed for its two week annual maintenance.
This pool is one of the dark dungeons Jean describes and not particularly clean. It has three (!) lanes available for swimming, sometimes with two lanes combined into one big lane -- actually its a four lane pool, but one of the end lanes is unusable because the management has chosen to install steps. This pool also features a continous spray of water, from above the water line, at the end of each lane, just about at the point you would turn. It's kept at about 85º. Even when it's crowded, there's no attempt at all to enforce lane pace (or any lane etiquette, at all). The effect is that the lanes are "slow," "slower" and "stationary" free-for-alls, where you take your life in your hands trying to pass.
My regular pool is probably the best in New York -- I think they set up a reciprocity arrangement with this place just so we'll know.
Leaving aside all the 40 foot glorified bathtubs in hotels, my choice is a Y pool (name withheld to protect the guilty) I used when my regular pool was closed for its two week annual maintenance.
This pool is one of the dark dungeons Jean describes and not particularly clean. It has three (!) lanes available for swimming, sometimes with two lanes combined into one big lane -- actually its a four lane pool, but one of the end lanes is unusable because the management has chosen to install steps. This pool also features a continous spray of water, from above the water line, at the end of each lane, just about at the point you would turn. It's kept at about 85º. Even when it's crowded, there's no attempt at all to enforce lane pace (or any lane etiquette, at all). The effect is that the lanes are "slow," "slower" and "stationary" free-for-alls, where you take your life in your hands trying to pass.
My regular pool is probably the best in New York -- I think they set up a reciprocity arrangement with this place just so we'll know.
