I finally found an outdoor pool at a nearby gym that also has an indoor pool. I'm so close to signing up, yet nervous. OTOH, I swam in mid-March, when all gyms had to close that evening. Our state was #2 in the nation with COVID cases. We are at an all time low, yet I still feel apprehensive. BTW, the pool is not busy, despite a heat wave all summer, which makes me think that people are fearful. (and fitness center confirmed that)
Would love to hear from swimmers who've been swimming in outdoor/indoor pools. I know the data about chlorine killing the virus, but would feel better knowing swimmers have stayed COVID free.
Would love to hear from swimmers who've been swimming in outdoor/indoor pools. I know the data about chlorine killing the virus, but would feel better knowing swimmers have stayed COVID free.
I've been swimming in 2 different outdoor pools since they re-opened.
1. A, "municipal," pool that is a proper pool (lane ropes, lines), with lifeguards, etc. 8 lanes, outside, and they've been fantastic with aerating nightly most of the summer (water temp usually around 80-82, sometimes less). I typically swim there M/W/F mornings, sometimes an occasional other day (either afternoon on Tues/Thurs or weekends).
2. My community, "resort-style," pool. They say it is 25 yards, but I think slightly less. It has lines on the bottom, but not on the sides, and no ropes. It is open daily 6am to 10pm. I usually go shortly after it opens. No lifeguards. I'll occasionally see another person there, usually they are also swimming (or attempting to).
In addition to these pools, I also swim in a local lake about every week. After everything shut down in March, I took about 2 weeks off, then tried a lake. The water was cold in early April (like mid-60s), but it was either that or not swim. I don't have a wetsuit. I've since moved upriver (or uplake), to where the lake starts, right after a major dam, where the water is even cooler (about 62F on Saturday). But the area where I began swimming has water way too warm (mid-80s), and way too busy, with people, boats, wave runners, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
My suggestion would be to go to the pool. Maybe wear your suit and bring your stuff with you. Check everything out. What is comfortable for some is definitely not comfortable for others. Don't be afraid to walk away if you don't feel 100% comfortable with the way they are running things. If you have to pay, consider it money well spent to check the place out (even better if they will let you just go and explore and only pay if you swim).
Prior to all of this, I was going to a gym on Tues/Thurs, but I definitely do not feel comfortable doing that right now. The gym chain I belonged to (24 Hour Fitness) closed the location I was using, and the nearest is much further away. Eventually, when I feel comfortable, I plan to explore other options that are nearby, such as LA Fitness and Gold's.
These are unusual times, and it calls for being extra careful. That said, there's a point where some people need to get outside and back to some semblance of normalcy (if you are high-risk you'll need to weigh that into your comfort level). Although I wasn't out of the water very long, that feeling when I first got back in the water was such a great feeling, and I'm glad I did.
Would love to hear from swimmers who've been swimming in outdoor/indoor pools. I know the data about chlorine killing the virus, but would feel better knowing swimmers have stayed COVID free.
I've been swimming in 2 different outdoor pools since they re-opened.
1. A, "municipal," pool that is a proper pool (lane ropes, lines), with lifeguards, etc. 8 lanes, outside, and they've been fantastic with aerating nightly most of the summer (water temp usually around 80-82, sometimes less). I typically swim there M/W/F mornings, sometimes an occasional other day (either afternoon on Tues/Thurs or weekends).
2. My community, "resort-style," pool. They say it is 25 yards, but I think slightly less. It has lines on the bottom, but not on the sides, and no ropes. It is open daily 6am to 10pm. I usually go shortly after it opens. No lifeguards. I'll occasionally see another person there, usually they are also swimming (or attempting to).
In addition to these pools, I also swim in a local lake about every week. After everything shut down in March, I took about 2 weeks off, then tried a lake. The water was cold in early April (like mid-60s), but it was either that or not swim. I don't have a wetsuit. I've since moved upriver (or uplake), to where the lake starts, right after a major dam, where the water is even cooler (about 62F on Saturday). But the area where I began swimming has water way too warm (mid-80s), and way too busy, with people, boats, wave runners, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
My suggestion would be to go to the pool. Maybe wear your suit and bring your stuff with you. Check everything out. What is comfortable for some is definitely not comfortable for others. Don't be afraid to walk away if you don't feel 100% comfortable with the way they are running things. If you have to pay, consider it money well spent to check the place out (even better if they will let you just go and explore and only pay if you swim).
Prior to all of this, I was going to a gym on Tues/Thurs, but I definitely do not feel comfortable doing that right now. The gym chain I belonged to (24 Hour Fitness) closed the location I was using, and the nearest is much further away. Eventually, when I feel comfortable, I plan to explore other options that are nearby, such as LA Fitness and Gold's.
These are unusual times, and it calls for being extra careful. That said, there's a point where some people need to get outside and back to some semblance of normalcy (if you are high-risk you'll need to weigh that into your comfort level). Although I wasn't out of the water very long, that feeling when I first got back in the water was such a great feeling, and I'm glad I did.
