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?
We're about to start our rainy season in Arizona, and evening workouts have been canceled all week. It really puts a crimp on your training.
Former Member
Lightning can be scary. I was swimming accross Lac St. Jean 28 miles, ( Peribonka to Robervalle) after we got to the middle of the lake a thunder and lightning storm broke out and the waves we very big. The rowers accompanying me broke their oars and did not keep up with me. I did not know this had happened. But there I was alone no boat.when the storm blew over and I could see smoke coming from the lumber mill in Robervalle I started swimming towards the smoke, about 14 miles away. I was found by an airplane and a Yahct finally came up to guide me. I finished the race in not too bad a position. But the rest of the story makes me very sad.
Former Member
Gotta agree with Geek on this one. The west coast is ok to visit, for a few days, but I will take our sunny days anytime over cloudy ones.
:D
Former Member
Newer swimming pools (built in the last 30 years) are required to be equipped with lightning protection –IE- rods on the roof and grounding conductors that are tied to the reinforcing steel in the foundation. In addition, there are copper “bonding” cables that connect all metallic objects such as electrical conduits and plumbing to the lightning protection system so there’s no "potential difference" to create a shock hazard in the event that the building does get hit.
After an individual lightning protection system has been completed on a particular building site, the entire installation must then be certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
For more details, see this link:
Http://www.ul.com/lightning/
Happy Swimming
Dolphin 2
:D
Originally posted by geochuck
The rowers accompanying me broke their oars and did not keep up with me.
I've got this image of guys breaking their oars *trying* to keep up with George.
Former Member
Originally posted by mattson
I've got this image of guys breaking their oars *trying* to keep up with George. The waves were very choppy their oars broke into pieces I don't think it was because I was swimming to fast.
Former Member
Anyone ever seen a pool after it was hit by lightning?
Once when I lived in Tucson, the Student Union pool got hit, people told me the water turned yellow... the one day i dont go swimming and the pool gets hit. All my buddies were kicked out right before the lightning struck... i wish i had seen it. The Monsoon season in Tucson is fantastic. Imagine 25 bolts of lighting striking all at once all around you over & over.. used to shake the house
Geochuck, Scotch Mist? thats the best way to describe weather ive heard yet... the weather is quite Scotchish.
Vancouver is a great city...
Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com
No matter how grounded the pool is, if it has a door that opens to the outside, the door is opened during a lighting storm, the people in the pool can get shocked. I the pool has no opening to the outside and it is properly grounded, people can't get shocked. Now who will volunteer? We are supposed to have thunderstorms this afternoon, if anyone is near Champaign/Urbana, IL.
It is storming now, and I am heading to the Y soon....wish me look, it may be my last swim!:eek:
Former Member
Originally posted by Dolphin 2
Newer swimming pools (built in the last 30 years) are required to be equipped with lightning protection –IE- rods on the roof and grounding conductors that are tied to the reinforcing steel in the foundation. In addition, there are copper “bonding” cables that connect all metallic objects such as electrical conduits and plumbing to the lightning protection system so there’s no "potential difference" to create a shock hazard in the event that the building does get hit.
After an individual lightning protection system has been completed on a particular building site, the entire installation must then be certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
For more details, see this link:
Http://www.ul.com/lightning/
Happy Swimming
Dolphin 2
:D
No matter how grounded the pool is, if it has a door that opens to the outside, the door is opened during a lighting storm, the people in the pool can get shocked. I the pool has no opening to the outside and it is properly grounded, people can't get shocked. Now who will volunteer? We are supposed to have thunderstorms this afternoon, if anyone is near Champaign/Urbana, IL.
Former Member
Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com
No matter how grounded the pool is, if it has a door that opens to the outside, the door is opened during a lighting storm, the people in the pool can get shocked. I the pool has no opening to the outside and it is properly grounded, people can't get shocked. Now who will volunteer? We are supposed to have thunderstorms this afternoon, if anyone is near Champaign/Urbana, IL. That is a very shocking scenario you are talking about.
