Is Coral Springs pool (SCY nationals) considered a fast pool? Anybody have any input

Jeff, I can tell I got under you skin with that comment. Let me first say that I had a chance to swim at Fort Lauderdale for the Region meet outdoors in the summer of 1983 and had a few very successful swims. I actually broke the meet record in the 200IM back then with a 2:08. Sounds ridiculously slow now, but I was happy with it back then being unshaved. I have good memories of that facility. Fort Lauderdale is one of the classic and historic swim locations for all American swimmers for several generations now. It is what it is........ a living museum...... I say that as a compliment. Now........ ignoring the fact that it has fallen into a relative sad state of repair, you can not dispute that the technology of the construction of this pool when it was completed is not on par with facilities in the recent decades. As for the world records you rattle off. Yes it is an impressive list owed partly to the longevity of the pool. I have a feeling that the Indy, the Texas swim center and other locations will catch up to these statistics given the time as well. Now I'm going to say something thats going to irritate you probably............ Sometimes great swims are possible in slower facilities due to the fact the athlete setting the record is not only extremely talented but way out ahead of the field in clear water. Take Jonty Skinnners 100 free decades ago for instance. He was a phenomenal swimmer that crushed the field in clear water in an average facility. The Woodlands Texas (Sippy) too... a very shallow end pool that Clay Brit scraped his back on the bottom of is site to a world record as well. She crushed the field in a phenomenal performance way out a head. I don't know that the majority of the world record swims at Fort Lauderdale have been done in the recent decade, and I'd like to know how many USS National swims (SCY) have been set there recently as well..... particulary in the short events where a fast pool really shines. I would never insult Fort Lauderdale's pool or history. My own swimming past landed there long ago and I am glad to have come back last year as an old man. My point was that it is a relic of a facility and Coral Springs is newer and hopefully faster. John Smith

Not to mention that there have been a few Masters' records broken there, as well. I used to train there regularly (and in the sea also, for what it's worth). So, what makes a pool 'fast'? Special water? :) (I do realise that there are various factors that can contribute to how a pool 'feels,' but unless we're at the utra- elite level, it ain't gonna matter much). It'll be interesting at nationals (I'm thinking of going- maybe). A bit of a side note, however: C.S. is known to have a wonky lightning detection system, and in May in FL., we may spend more time hopping in and out of the pool than competing- especially in the afternoon. ;) (edited to state that I need to start posting more quickly, as the above post sort of 'answers my concerns.") 'Don't forget that the Hall of Fame pool saw Natalie Coughlin become the first woman to break a minute in the 100 meter backstroke or that Mike Barrowman and Martin Zubero set world records in that pool as well. So they were not concerned if it was "fast" or not. They went to swim the best they were capable of doing that day.

Originally posted by kernow So, what makes a pool 'fast'? Special water? :) (I do realise that there are various factors that can contribute to how a pool 'feels,' but unless we're at the utra- elite level, it ain't gonna matter much). I think you're wrong about that. A pool's 'speed' may, in fact, influence a slower swimmer's time more than a fast swimmer. Think about what John Smith said about swimming in clear water. Someone way out front might not be impacted as much by wave action as a slower swimmer who's back a ways and next to the wall. What makes a pool fast? Anything that reduces wave action: deep water throughout, a gutter system that can move lots of water, good lane lines. There are other things too, such as water temperature and lighting.

Kirk......you nailed it! In masters events you often have a much larger difference between the top 2-3 seeds and the rest of the field. In the shorter races a swimmer who is not out front is going to take a beating from the wave coming out of their flip turn...... John's point about this and about pools like Indy is dead on as well.....when he and I last swam the 50 together in Indy we we're dead even to the finish and both stayed under the wake coming out of the turn, I ended up with my best time since college. If you saw John swim the 50 at Ft. Lauderdale you saw him swim away from everyone and have smooth water and he was very close to his Indy time in a much "slower pool" (21.25 vs. 21.43). Another point on lane lines, not only do th size and quality of them have an impact but also the narrowness of the lane itself. in my case I hit the lanes multiple time in FL with my fingertips on the fly events!

Paul "The Albatross" Smith :)

Paul (Evil one), Face it....... the only reason you swim is because it's the only sport you can do..... LYING DOWN. JOhn Smith

In my previous life I worked in the outdoor industry, climbers had a "standard" for wingspan known as "the ape index" Total height in inches vs. wingspan = +/- In my case 77" vs 79" = +2 on the ape index Somehow they thought this could give some insight into ability (reach being critical in technical/sport climbing) Sadly it didn't take into effect weighing in at 230 lbs and not being able to pull one's sorry as... up an overhanging climb! Thankfully water negates gravity a bit!

Paul is correct. The lanes were not as wide as other pools. I noticed that I too could touch the lane lines on both sides with my arms extended. This does not help sprint events. John Smith

You, me and about 95% of folks on this forum......maybe we could charge a buck a whack and pay our beer bill? PS: speaking of fast pools did you ever get in touch with Eddie about trying to host something at UT again? Now that's a FAST pool!

If we see Geek before he's sees us, he knows he's in trouble. He knows' we're gonna hog tie him, hang him from the 10 meter, get out some big sticks and play pinata hour.... :-) John Smith