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
I was a kid when I swam at this one pool for a meet--don't remember exactly where it was, but it was in either Louisiana or Texas (we moved around a lot when I was growing up). It was a 50 meter pool attached to a gym. It looked great--pretty new at the time, lots of deck space, good locker rooms, etc. The chlorine level was far too high (my navy suit was noticeably several shades lighter by the end of the meet), the start end was about 3 feet deep, and I almost swear it had those wave machines in it! Kicked the bottom on every start and could feel myself being buffeted around by the constantly choppy water. Terrible, terrible performance at that meet.
I was a kid when I swam at this one pool for a meet--don't remember exactly where it was, but it was in either Louisiana or Texas (we moved around a lot when I was growing up). It was a 50 meter pool attached to a gym. It looked great--pretty new at the time, lots of deck space, good locker rooms, etc. The chlorine level was far too high (my navy suit was noticeably several shades lighter by the end of the meet), the start end was about 3 feet deep, and I almost swear it had those wave machines in it! Kicked the bottom on every start and could feel myself being buffeted around by the constantly choppy water. Terrible, terrible performance at that meet.
