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
The worst pool I ever swam in was a Y (location withheld) that was like a lot of the ones described here: kind of dark, too warm, not particularly well maintained. What made swimming there a particularly unpleasant experience is that when I swam there (generally because other pools were closed for maintenance) I would get hit on relentlessly by old fat men with yellow teeth and nail fungus. There were signs all over the locker room stating that such conduct was prohibited, obviously to no avail. Even if I did swing that way (and I have no issue with that whatsoever), these dudes were *foul*.
I complained each time that happened, but after a couple of times I just quit going there.
The worst pool I ever swam in was a Y (location withheld) that was like a lot of the ones described here: kind of dark, too warm, not particularly well maintained. What made swimming there a particularly unpleasant experience is that when I swam there (generally because other pools were closed for maintenance) I would get hit on relentlessly by old fat men with yellow teeth and nail fungus. There were signs all over the locker room stating that such conduct was prohibited, obviously to no avail. Even if I did swing that way (and I have no issue with that whatsoever), these dudes were *foul*.
I complained each time that happened, but after a couple of times I just quit going there.
