Places to swim in Taiwan? (and detraining question)

This year I returned to regular swimming workouts after a 20-year layoff, and am finally starting to get back in shape. However, I will be traveling in Taiwan for about a month from late May to late June. I would hate to lose all my conditioning on that trip and have to start again from scratch when I return. By that time I will have about 5 solid months of averaging around 10,000 yds per week spread out over 3-4 workouts built up. Do you think my swimming conditioning will all be lost if I don't swim at all during the trip? I plan to buy some stretch cords and take those with me so I can do some swimming-like movements, but I would really like to swim several times throughout the trip. I've noticed a poster (Syd) who is located in Taiwan, and perhaps some of you have traveled there... Does anyone know if it is difficult to find a pool to swim laps in Taiwan? I'll be traveling back and forth between Taipei (Tung-Hu) and I-lan. Syd, where in Taiwan are you located? Thanks, Mark Mark, I live in Kaohsiung which is in the south of Taiwan. It is the second biggest city in Taiwan. I have four pools within a 5km radius of my home to choose from. Taipei is much bigger and much more international than Kaohsiung so you shouldn't have a problem finding a pool at all. Are you coming over for business? If so it would, perhaps, be best to ask your company representatives in Taipei which pool is closest to the place you will be staying. You would want something within walking distance or a pool that you could take public transport to. You don't want to be riding scooters or driving around in that traffic. You might also want them to check on the size of the pool. Although most pools are standard 25 or 50m (sorry no yards here) I have encountered, at least one, 36.6m pool. I know odd distances like this can throw some people out. A word on the pools in Taiwan. You are expected to shower before entering the water. I only tell you this because the pool you go to might not have a sign to this effect in English, but it will have one in Chinese. You have to wear a swimming cap at all times in the water. Yes, even if you are a male with short hair! (It's to prevent hair from entering the filters - and it works)! Most pools don't allow diving in from the sides but you would have to check up on this at the pool you go to. (Naturally, if there were racing blocks, that would be okay). Most swimming equipment is okay but my pool doesn't allow long fins. Zoomers are fine and I see quite a few people wearing them. Finally, it is unlikely that you will get a lane to yourself. The lanes will usually be marked; General swimming/Lap swimming/Fast swimming (in Chinese) but people don't necessarily stick to that. You might well have people swimming slow breastroke in the fast lane. I find the quietest time at the pool (when I am almost guaranteed to have a whole lane to myself) is lunchtime so you might want to arrange your training sessions then. As an added benefit, most indoor pools in Taiwan will have (not sure what you call it) a water relaxation area next to the main pool. The water here is warmer and there will be hot tubs, ice baths and water massage jets. (Goose-necked ones, bubbling recliners, foot massage jets all squirting water at you from every possible imaginable angle at different pressures). Great after a hard workout! I am sure you will have a wonderful time in Taiwan. You will find the people very warm and friendly. PM if there is anything else you want to know. Syd

Thanks so much for all the info, Syd! It sounds like I shouldn't have too much difficulty finding a place to swim. It's good that you let me know that caps are required. I'll have to get one and bring it with me. Mark

By that time I will have about 5 solid months of averaging around 10,000 yds per week spread out over 3-4 workouts built up. Do you think my swimming conditioning will all be lost if I don't swim at all during the trip? Mark, That's about how much I swim - 3-4 workouts/week, 2500-3000 yards/workout. Even if you don't swim at all, I don't think it will take you long to bounce back. I just got over a sinus infection that kept me out of the water for three weeks. After about five workouts I was able to do a full workout. (I was still slow, and had to stop periodically for coughing fits, but I made it the full 90 minutes.) And since you won't have been sick (we hope), I'd guess that you'll get back in shape even more easily. Anna Lea

I lived in Taiwan for two years and I am traveling there in July. Where is Taipei are you staying, simply because Taipei is a huge city. Are you actually in Taipei or a suburb. Most of the universities have pools and I know where many are located. Also, Yilan has a really fun outdoor pool that is built above ground. I'm not sure about swimming laps in it because everytime I went it was packed with kids and I worked on treading water. The nice thing about Yilan is how close it is to the beach. The beaches are never packed, and always nice to go swimming there. In terms of a Masters team, I never found one. Though honestly, I never looked too hard. If you post of email where you will be I will contact a swimmer friend of mine who is still in Taiwan and get you the addresses and info that you need. Erin