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
Thanks. I was 7-12 when I swam there (lived in New Hyde Park). Lynn Burke a 1960 gold medal winner was from Flushing Y.
I was about the same age, although I switched to an AAU team (West Islip Swim Club) in about '58 or so (at 9 yrs old). I think when I was at Huntington we swam other inner-city Ys Harlem and another. I remember Lynn Burke - proof that it is not the size/condition of the pool that counts. The swimming community was so much smaller back then and news traveled almost by word of mouth at meets until I think Eric and Kevin Tillman's Dad started a mimeo'd newsletter and mailing list (forget what he called it).
Thanks. I was 7-12 when I swam there (lived in New Hyde Park). Lynn Burke a 1960 gold medal winner was from Flushing Y.
I was about the same age, although I switched to an AAU team (West Islip Swim Club) in about '58 or so (at 9 yrs old). I think when I was at Huntington we swam other inner-city Ys Harlem and another. I remember Lynn Burke - proof that it is not the size/condition of the pool that counts. The swimming community was so much smaller back then and news traveled almost by word of mouth at meets until I think Eric and Kevin Tillman's Dad started a mimeo'd newsletter and mailing list (forget what he called it).
