I recently moved from CT to NC and have noticed one of the differences between the two areas is the amount of thunderstorms. Typically they're in the afternoon so if you tend to swim during that time your workouts are either cancelled or cut short. The safety rules which require you to get out of the pool are true for both indoor and outdoor pools (I've overheard people question the guards why it applies to indoor pools and it got me to thinking). I'm assuming the electricity would conducted through pipes or metal in the building. Does the presence of windows make a difference? Also, the frequency of storms is such that I would think it would have a fairly big impact on the ability of teams to have consistent workouts. I remember coaches who would give people a hard time about getting out for 2 minutes to use the restroom, that seems to pale in comparison to missing huge sections of workouts several days a week due to thunderstorms. The rule seems to be that if there's a lightning strike you must leave the pool and wait 20-30 minutes before re-entering the pool. Where did the 20-30 minute time frame come from? One last hypothetical question, what if during the Olympic 1500m race there's a lightning strike? Do they tell the swimmers to stop and get out?
Parents
Former Member
Our 50 meter indoor Y Pool was built about 1996. During the first year or two that the pool was open it was sruck by lightening. The Y had to replace one of the pump motors because of the damage.
This summer I have been on a terrible role of bad luck with storms and have had my workout canceled more times than I can remember. The pool staff even teases me when I show up to swim as they know a storm must be lurking somewhere close by. I always remember the previous strike and get out of the water with a smile for the lifegaurds when ever they blow their whstles.
This past weekend almost the entire Y meet was canceled when a lightening strike took out the power Friday night and all day Saturday. The problem could not be fixed until Sunday. Over 525 kids from all over the place were signed up to swim and probably were very disappointed. I think they swam 2 or 3 events on Friday before the storm, non on Saturday, and a few events on Sunday.
Have a great day
Paul
Our 50 meter indoor Y Pool was built about 1996. During the first year or two that the pool was open it was sruck by lightening. The Y had to replace one of the pump motors because of the damage.
This summer I have been on a terrible role of bad luck with storms and have had my workout canceled more times than I can remember. The pool staff even teases me when I show up to swim as they know a storm must be lurking somewhere close by. I always remember the previous strike and get out of the water with a smile for the lifegaurds when ever they blow their whstles.
This past weekend almost the entire Y meet was canceled when a lightening strike took out the power Friday night and all day Saturday. The problem could not be fixed until Sunday. Over 525 kids from all over the place were signed up to swim and probably were very disappointed. I think they swam 2 or 3 events on Friday before the storm, non on Saturday, and a few events on Sunday.
Have a great day
Paul
