Does anyone know about potential places to swim in Iraq? I may be getting stationed in Baghdad and am curious whether the Embassy or other bases may have 25 yard/meter or similar pools.
Thanks:)
If you can get access to the New Embassy Compound, it has a 25m indoor pool. It seems to me to be somewhat poorly designed; the backstroke flags are way too low and the pool has this weird swirling current in it. Maybe they've fixed some of the problems since I left there last year.
It's far better than not being able to swim at all though.
Well, I'm finally here and, as Jethro stated, the Embassy does have a 25m pool. The flags must have been raised but they are a bit further than normal from the wall. I haven't noticed a swirling current and they now have a single lane line (thanks for small victories - it is Iraq). I think the pool is actually pretty nice. It doesn't get that crowded and the temperature is around 84.:)
Well, I'm finally here and, as Jethro stated, the Embassy does have a 25m pool. The flags must have been raised but they are a bit further than normal from the wall. I haven't noticed a swirling current and they now have a single lane line (thanks for small victories - it is Iraq). I think the pool is actually pretty nice. It doesn't get that crowded and the temperature is around 84.:)
Plus it's open 24/7. Nothing like going for a 3 a.m. swim. :agree:
ETA: Stay safe over there!
Plus it's open 24/7. Nothing like going for a 3 a.m. swim. :agree:
ETA: Stay safe over there!
I second the "stay safe" exhortation. I do think it's awfully cool that you can workout in Baghdad! Definitely something to tell the grandkids one day.
You should try to establish as many pool records as possible while you are there.
A lot of USMS folks can take bragging rights from their accomplishments here, but who among us can claim to have set a pool record in an active war zone!
Thanks! I hadn't really thought of pool records but maybe I'll look at that. I have been instructed that I cannot call it a war zone here in Iraq. The PC term is "high threat environment." It doesn't really matter as bullets and rockets are still be fired at us and our soldiers, no matter what you call the environment. Anyway, the latest is pool management now has the pool temp at 85+. I have informed them of the tragic events of Fran Crippen and they have slowly started to lower the temp.....hey, 84 is better than 87.
Thanks so much to Laura Jones and Rob Butcher for publishing the article on swimming in Iraq.:)
