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
Any former Jersey Wahoos swimmers out there?
Back in the 80s, our coaches would always trek us up from Virginia to Philly/New Jersey for better competition. The Jersey Wahoos were exceptionally tough in those days, but we always marveled at how high their elbows would go on their butterfly (as they kicked our asses). It wasn't until we did an exchange meet with them -- where we discovered their (to my mind) 3' width cramped lanes -- that I understood the reason for it.
Speaking of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University used to have a dungeon like pool, I think it was 6 lanes and, to my memory, about 3' depth at the start with a 10' ceiling so that, even at 13 years old, you felt like you had to crouch down for fear of hitting the ceiling when you got on the blocks. For some reason, though, I used to love that pool: we'd come off holiday training and do a meet there in early January and I always swam lights out.
Any former Jersey Wahoos swimmers out there?
Back in the 80s, our coaches would always trek us up from Virginia to Philly/New Jersey for better competition. The Jersey Wahoos were exceptionally tough in those days, but we always marveled at how high their elbows would go on their butterfly (as they kicked our asses). It wasn't until we did an exchange meet with them -- where we discovered their (to my mind) 3' width cramped lanes -- that I understood the reason for it.
Speaking of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University used to have a dungeon like pool, I think it was 6 lanes and, to my memory, about 3' depth at the start with a 10' ceiling so that, even at 13 years old, you felt like you had to crouch down for fear of hitting the ceiling when you got on the blocks. For some reason, though, I used to love that pool: we'd come off holiday training and do a meet there in early January and I always swam lights out.
