Thought of this while reading the "Swim Rant" thread. Okay-- totally anonymous poll: do you shower before getting in the pool for swim practice?
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Former Member
Many years ago, while passing through town, I stopped in Columbia, Missouri, to swim with the Masters group there. They swam at the University of Missouri (MU) pool. This was their old 6-lane, 25-yard pool.
They had a very strict "shower before swimming" policy. In each of the locker rooms they had an attendant stationed with a view of the group showers (the type with multiple shower heads on poles, in one big open area). They required a full shower, with soap, before swimming and the attendant's job was to watch everyone to make sure they really did it. I don't remember for sure but I think they also required this to be a nude shower, without a swimsuit.
Three years ago MU opened a beautiful new aquatic center (think Indianapolis, 20 years newer). We have hosted several swim meets there. At one of those meets I was standing on the pool deck telling someone about the showering requirement they had for their old pool. The manager of the new facility overheard me. He told me that he was one of the "shower attendants" when he attended school there. He said it wasn't the most pleasant job in the world.
Interestingly, they don't have that shower requirement in the new aquatic center.
Many years ago, while passing through town, I stopped in Columbia, Missouri, to swim with the Masters group there. They swam at the University of Missouri (MU) pool. This was their old 6-lane, 25-yard pool.
They had a very strict "shower before swimming" policy. In each of the locker rooms they had an attendant stationed with a view of the group showers (the type with multiple shower heads on poles, in one big open area). They required a full shower, with soap, before swimming and the attendant's job was to watch everyone to make sure they really did it. I don't remember for sure but I think they also required this to be a nude shower, without a swimsuit.
Three years ago MU opened a beautiful new aquatic center (think Indianapolis, 20 years newer). We have hosted several swim meets there. At one of those meets I was standing on the pool deck telling someone about the showering requirement they had for their old pool. The manager of the new facility overheard me. He told me that he was one of the "shower attendants" when he attended school there. He said it wasn't the most pleasant job in the world.
Interestingly, they don't have that shower requirement in the new aquatic center.
