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
Are we talking about the 1880's and 1890's. Maybe, there are some of those pools still in existance in the east coast I don't know. Bert states thank God for California. I would think that a swimmer his age had an opportunity to swim in the old LA olympic pool, whose design in gutters and other things were for the 1930's and I swam in the thing in 1972. That pool was cold as hell and they even use it for major events like the LA I up to 1972. The warm up pool was worst. Who wants to warm up in a pool around 72 degrees. Also, California had its share of old 33 and 1/3 pools. As a kid I swam in the Belliflower pool. And I too young for the salt water pools.
Are we talking about the 1880's and 1890's. Maybe, there are some of those pools still in existance in the east coast I don't know. Bert states thank God for California. I would think that a swimmer his age had an opportunity to swim in the old LA olympic pool, whose design in gutters and other things were for the 1930's and I swam in the thing in 1972. That pool was cold as hell and they even use it for major events like the LA I up to 1972. The warm up pool was worst. Who wants to warm up in a pool around 72 degrees. Also, California had its share of old 33 and 1/3 pools. As a kid I swam in the Belliflower pool. And I too young for the salt water pools.
