For several years I swam at a local health club two to three times a week. I even took some refresher lessons and learned to do the butterfly. Almost mastered the breathing that accompanies it too.
But then I became disgruntled with the facility and decided to move my membership to another club. This decision was based primarily on the fact that the second club had a brand new pool. It was to be a lap pool only, instead of one I shared with aquacise classes, toddler lessons, and family swim.
The pool is beautiful: walls of windows bathe it in sunlight (that is, when the sun shines in Michigan); since it’s a lap pool, the water is five feet deep everywhere; and there didn’t seem to be rules about signing up to use it. There is, however, one small problem.
The water is cold.
I understand swimmers get hot, and avid swimmers probably like a cooler temperature than I do. But this pool is so cold to me that I can swim fifteen minutes and never get warm. It has discouraged me from using it.
So this week I went in search of a third pool that is bright, warm, and user friendly for lap swimmers. Turns out it was the one I rejected about a dozen years ago when I decided to join a club in the first place. It’s the local YMCA.
I went and interviewed pool staff there. Asked about the temperature and the rules for swimming. All were to my liking. Additionally, the Y is recruiting new members by waiving the sign-up fee. And, best of all, it turns out my health insurance company will pay for my membership.
All in all, it’s turned out swimmingly.
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