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
Like Dennis somewhere above mentioned, the Oaxtepec Pool in Mexico could be terrible at times but it was at least a 50 meter pool with a separate diving well. I swam there in 1981 when it was relatively new and it was great and went steadily downhill from there. However, having spent quite a few years in Mexico in my early teens I can attest that it was not nearly as bad as the pool I had to train in daily at the ISSTE in Jiutepec, Morelos. This pool was about 18yds long, had no filter system, no heating and was only emptied and refilled a couple of times a year. The water was a murky brown. I think the only redeeming quality to is was that on play days we could play waterpolo and disappear underwater only to reappear elsewhere without notice.
Like Dennis somewhere above mentioned, the Oaxtepec Pool in Mexico could be terrible at times but it was at least a 50 meter pool with a separate diving well. I swam there in 1981 when it was relatively new and it was great and went steadily downhill from there. However, having spent quite a few years in Mexico in my early teens I can attest that it was not nearly as bad as the pool I had to train in daily at the ISSTE in Jiutepec, Morelos. This pool was about 18yds long, had no filter system, no heating and was only emptied and refilled a couple of times a year. The water was a murky brown. I think the only redeeming quality to is was that on play days we could play waterpolo and disappear underwater only to reappear elsewhere without notice.
