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 one with the gargoyles in the corners?
i've race in that pool.
the record board was a who's who of the swimming world with records held by goodell, furness, naber....
.
The gargoyles originally spouted water. It was probably the biggest facility upgrade in history when we moved from that pool to the '84 Olympic pool after my Jr. year.
i once raced in a pool in Salina, Kansas that had no deck. you could walk around it but that was it.
all seating was in another room upstairs that you could look out the windows down to the 4 lane pool.
yes, FOUR lanes.
does the top seed go in lane 2 or lane 3? :D
Flushing YMCA pool in the late 50's early 60's. A four lane pool, the lane lines were about 5 feet wide. There were lane lines on the bottom of the pool but no rope lines to separate the lanes. Chlorine was always high (this was before goggles existed). In practice we swam in the buff, near the end of practice we would be crashing into the side walls and starting in lane 1 and ending in lane 4. Worst pool great memories.
That's not the worst pool. Tie something around your waist and attach to the post. Then begin swimming in your modified endless pool.
Yeah, I suppose I could have done that. :D I opted instead to take the 15 minute drive to the Sanibel Recreation Center pool. :agree:
Since my HS (LaSalle College High School in Wyndmoor, PA) actually HAD a pool (had an outdoor one as well for summer camps) I guess it can't be that bad. But as pools go it was one dingy, shallow (I was a diver), and narrow at only 4 lanes wide and 25 yards long sucker. Probably the most alarming item was because the filtration systems were a little quirky and most of the students non-swimmers so they tried to wear cutoffs or other street wear that got dirt and threads etc. From the school's inception at this location until thankfully the year before my freshman year - NO SUITS/SHORTS allowed. NAKED swim class. YOU HAD to use the ladders it was almost impossible to scale the gutter/wall. www.l-y-n-c-h.com/.../Diver_Tom_1975_large.html
Have several to mention;
Walnut Hills High School - Cincinnati Ohio.
2 pools, each 4 lanes, 20 yards long. One pool was for the boys team, the other for the girls. Locker rooms were up a flight of stairs, which went to the third floor of the school.
The old Ohio State University pools. The original pool, where much history took place back in the 50's & 60's, had walls at the turn end that extend five feet about the water level. Locker rooms were so small you could not imagine. Also during the 70's, OSU bulit an indoor 50 meter pool, which was going to take place of the old pool, however the ceiling was only 8 feet about the water, so by default this became there recreation pool. Thankfully OSU built the new Aquatic center.
Cherry Hill Swim Club - Erlanger KY (near Cincy OH). Straight 25 meter pool. Starting block end, 3 feet. No lights. Many people had dental emergencies due to chipped teeth once the sun went behind the trees on Thursday night swim meet nights.
