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92-554: A swimming pool , swimming bath , wading pool , paddling pool , or simply pool , is a structure designed to hold water to enable swimming or other leisure activities. Pools can be built into the ground (in-ground pools) or built above ground (as a freestanding construction or as part of a building or other larger structure), and may be found as a feature aboard ocean-liners and cruise ships. In-ground pools are most commonly constructed from materials such as concrete , natural stone, metal, plastic, composite or fiberglass , and can be of
184-434: A lifeguard to keep alert for any signs of distress. Swimmers often wear specialized swimwear , although depending on the area's culture, some swimmers may also swim nude or wear their day attire. In addition, a variety of equipment can be used to enhance the swimming experience or performance, including but not limited to the use of swimming goggles , floatation devices , swim fins , and snorkels . Swimming relies on
276-410: A redwood or simulated wood surround, and are termed "portable" as they may be placed on a patio rather than sunken into a permanent location. Some portable spas are shallow and narrow enough to fit sideways through a standard door and be used inside a room. Low power electric immersion heaters are common with home spas. Whirlpool tubs first became popular in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s. A spa
368-508: A Swiss–German professor of languages, wrote the earliest known complete book about swimming, Colymbetes, sive de arte natandi dialogus et festivus et iucundus lectu ( The Swimmer, or A Dialogue on the Art of Swimming and Joyful and Pleasant to Read ). Competitive swimming in Europe started around 1800, mostly using the breaststroke, which started as the current breaststroke arms and the legs of
460-472: A bridge, and consequently bivouacked in rather careless fashion on the opposite bank; but he sent across a detachment of [Batavii], who were accustomed to swim easily in full armour across the most turbulent streams. ... Thence the Britons retired to the river Thames at a point near where it empties into the ocean and at flood-tide forms a lake. This they easily crossed because they knew where the firm ground and
552-460: A coin to be inserted in a slot, either as deposit or payment. There are usually showers – sometimes mandatory – before and/or after swimming. There are often also lifeguards to ensure the safety of users. Wading or paddling pools are shallow bodies of water intended for use by small children, usually in parks. Concrete wading pools come in many shapes, traditionally rectangle, square or circle. Some are filled and drained daily due to lack of
644-671: A custom size and shape or built to a standardized size, the largest of which is the Olympic-size swimming pool . Many health clubs , fitness centers , and private clubs have pools used mostly for exercise or recreation. It is common for municipalities of every size to provide pools for public use. Many of these municipal pools are outdoor pools but indoor pools can also be found in buildings such as natatoriums and leisure centers . Hotels may have pools available for their guests to use at their own leisure. Subdivisions and apartment complexes may also have pools for residents to use. Pools as
736-406: A defined stroke for propulsion through the water is unnecessary, and untrained swimmers may use a ' doggy paddle ' of arm and leg movements, similar to how four-legged animals swim. Four main strokes are used in competition and recreational swimming: the front crawl , breaststroke , backstroke , and butterfly . In non-competitive swimming, there are some additional swimming strokes, including
828-404: A factor of three to achieve the same effect as reducing resistance. Efficient swimming by reducing water resistance involves a horizontal water position, rolling the body to reduce the breadth of the body in the water, and extending the arms as far as possible to reduce wave resistance. Just before plunging into the pool, swimmers may perform exercises such as squatting . Squatting helps enhance
920-510: A feature in hotels are more common in tourist areas or near convention centers . Educational facilities such as high schools and universities sometimes have pools for physical education classes, recreational activities, leisure, and competitive athletics such as swimming teams. Hot tubs and spas are pools filled with water that is heated and then used for relaxation or hydrotherapy . Specially designed swimming pools are also used for diving , water sports, and physical therapy , as well as for
1012-415: A filter system. Staff chlorinate the water to ensure health and safety standards. The Fédération Internationale de la Natation (FINA, International Swimming Federation) sets standards for competition pools: 25 or 50 m (82 or 164 ft) long and at least 1.35 m (4.4 ft) deep. Competition pools are generally indoors and heated to enable their use all year round, and to more easily comply with
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#17327728338601104-540: A floating raft in the river. The coffee was kept hot over a fire; club members had to tread water and drink coffee at the same time. The last swimmers managed to overturn the raft, to the amusement of 150 spectators. The Amateur Swimming Association was founded in 1869 in England, and the Oxford Swimming Club in 1909. The presence of indoor baths in the cobbled area of Merton Street might have persuaded
1196-490: A high temperature, thereby heightening its strong chemical smell. Ozone is an effective bactericide and is commonly included in the circulation system with cartridge filtration, but not with sand media filtration due to clogging problems with turbid body fats. In the early 20th century, especially in Australia, ocean pools were built, typically on headlands by enclosing part of the rock shelf, with water circulated through
1288-426: A larger leisure center or recreational complex. These centres often have more than one pool, such as an indoor heated pool, an outdoor ( chlorinated , saltwater or ozonated ) pool which may be heated or unheated, a shallower children's pool, and a paddling pool for toddlers and infants. There may also be a sauna and one or more hot tubs or spa pools (" jacuzzis "). Many upscale hotels and holiday resorts have
1380-421: A lower centre of gravity and higher muscle content, human males find it more difficult to float or be buoyant. See also: Hydrostatic weighing . Since the human body is less dense than water, water can support the body's weight during swimming. As a result, swimming is "low-impact" compared to land activities such as running. The density and viscosity of water also create resistance for objects moving through
1472-452: A physical disability) where gradual entry is useful. Indoor pools are located inside a building with a roof and are insulated by at least three walls. Built for year-round swimming or training, they are found in all climate types. Since the buildings around indoor pools are insulated, heat escapes much less, making it less expensive to heat indoor pools than outdoor pools (all of whose heat escapes). Architecturally, an indoor pool may look like
1564-685: A potential risk of underwater entrapment from the pump suction forces. However, commercial installations in many countries must comply with various safety standards which reduce this risk considerably. Home spas are a worldwide retail item in western countries since the 1980s, and are sold in dedicated spa stores, pool shops, department stores , the Internet, and catalog sales books. They are almost always made from heat-extruded acrylic sheet Perspex , often colored in marble look-alike patterns. They rarely exceed 6 m (65 sq ft) and are typically 1 m (3 ft 3 in) deep, restricted by
1656-664: A similar level of protection for the children residing in or visiting the house, although many pool owners prefer the visual aspect of the pool in close proximity to their living areas, and will not provide this level of protection. There is no consensus between states or countries on the requirements to fence private swimming pools, and in many places they are not required at all, particularly in rural settings. Inexpensive temporary polyvinyl chloride pools can be bought in supermarkets and taken down after summer. They are used mostly outdoors in yards, are typically shallow, and often their sides are inflated with air to stay rigid. When finished,
1748-496: A submarine while it is submerged. Due to regular exposure to large bodies of water, all recruits in the United States Navy , Marine Corps , and Coast Guard are required to complete basic swimming or water survival training. Swimming is also a professional sport. Companies sponsor swimmers who have the skills to compete at the international level. Many swimmers compete competitively to represent their home countries in
1840-443: A survival reflex. Swimming requires endurance, skill, and efficient techniques to maximize speed and minimize energy consumption. Swimming is a popular activity and competitive sport where certain techniques are deployed to move through water. It offers numerous health benefits, such as strengthened cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and increased flexibility. It is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Swimming
1932-468: A swimmer's start by warming up the thigh muscles. Human babies demonstrate an innate swimming or diving reflex from newborn until approximately ten months. Other mammals also demonstrate this phenomenon (see mammalian diving reflex ). The diving response involves apnea , reflex bradycardia , and peripheral vasoconstriction ; in other words, babies immersed in water spontaneously hold their breath, slow their heart rate, and reduce blood circulation to
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#17327728338602024-662: A swimming pool for use by their guests. If a pool is in a separate building, the building may be called a natatorium . The building may sometimes also have facilities for related activities, such as a diving tank. Larger pools sometimes have a diving board affixed at one edge above the water. Many public swimming pools are rectangles 25 m or 50 m long, but they can be any size and shape. There are also elaborate pools with artificial waterfalls , fountains, splash pads , wave machines, varying depths of water, bridges, and island bars. Some swimming facilities have lockers for clothing and other belongings. The lockers can require
2116-561: A water garden to be a part of the system, offer different aesthetic options and can support amphibious wildlife such as snails, frogs, and salamanders, and even small fish if desired. A zero-entry swimming pool , also called a beach entry swimming pool , has an edge or entry that gradually slopes from the deck into the water, becoming deeper with each step, in the manner of a natural beach. As there are no stairs or ladders to navigate, this type of entry assists older people, young children and people with accessibility problems (e.g., people with
2208-725: A waterfront lifeguard receives more rigorous training than a poolside lifeguard. Well-known aquatic training services include the National Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Red Cross , which specialize in training lifeguards in North America. Learning basic water safety skills, such as swimming with a buddy and knowing how to respond to emergencies, is essential for swimmers of all levels. Some occupations require workers to swim, such as abalone and pearl diving, and spearfishing . Swimming
2300-614: Is a compulsory part of the curriculum for primary schools. Children usually spend one semester per year learning swimming during CP/CE1/CE2/CM1 (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade). Merton Street Merton Street is a cobbled street in central Oxford , England. It joins the High Street at its northeastern end, between the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art (together with the Examination Schools ) and
2392-400: Is a private casual, relaxing pool, it may go from 1.0 to 2.0 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) deep. If it is a public pool designed for diving, it may slope from 3.0 to 5.5 m (10 to 18 ft) in the deep end. A children's play pool may be from 0.3 to 1.2 m (1 to 4 ft) deep. Most public pools have differing depths to accommodate different swimmer requirements. In many jurisdictions, it
2484-721: Is a requirement to show the water depth with clearly marked depths affixed to the pool walls. Pools can be either indoors or outdoors. They can be of any size and shape, and inground or above ground. Most pools are permanent fixtures, while others are temporary, collapsible structures. Private pools are usually smaller than public pools, on average 3.7 m × 7.3 m (12 ft × 24 ft) to 6.1 m × 12.2 m (20 ft × 40 ft) whereas public pools usually start at 20 m (66 ft). Home pools can be permanently built-in, or be assembled above ground and disassembled after summer. Privately owned outdoor pools in backyards or gardens started to proliferate in
2576-443: Is a swimming pool which produces a visual effect of water extending to the horizon, vanishing, or extending to "infinity". Often, the water appears to fall into an ocean, lake, bay, or other similar body of water. The illusion is most effective whenever there is a significant change in elevation, though having a natural body of water on the horizon is not a limiting factor. Natural pools were developed in central and western Europe in
2668-402: Is also called a "jacuzzi" there, as the word became a generic after-plumbing component manufacturer; Jacuzzi introduced the "spa whirlpool" in 1968. Air bubbles may be introduced into the nozzles via an air-bleed venturi pump that combines cooler air with the incoming heated water to cool the pool if the temperature rises uncomfortably high. Some spas have a constant stream of bubbles fed via
2760-540: Is also used in marine biology to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Other sciences use swimming; for example, Konrad Lorenz swam with geese as part of his studies of animal behavior . Swimming also has military purposes. Military swimming is usually done by special operation forces, such as Navy SEALs and US Army Special Forces . Swimming is used to approach a location, gather intelligence, engage in sabotage or combat, and subsequently depart. This may also include airborne insertion into water or exiting
2852-482: Is an entrance to Christ Church , Oxford's largest college. At the eastern end can be found the notorious 'Pink House', as well as an entrance to University College . Logic Lane (through University College, which backs onto the street) and Magpie Lane , both narrow lanes, lead off the street to the north. Also located here is the Merton Street tennis court , a rare example of an extant real tennis court. To
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2944-646: Is believed to be the oldest surviving swimming club in Britain. It was formed in 1844, in response to concerns over drownings in the River Medway , especially since would-be rescuers would often drown because they themselves could not swim to safety. The club used to swim in the River Medway, and would hold races, diving competitions and water polo matches. The South East Gazette July 1844 reported an aquatic breakfast party: coffee and biscuits were served on
3036-463: Is both the goal of much voluntary presence and the prime means of regaining land in accidental situations. Most recorded water deaths fall into these categories: Adverse effects of swimming can include: Around any pool area, safety equipment is often important, and is a zoning requirement for most residential pools in the United States. Supervision by personnel trained in rescue techniques
3128-471: Is commonly used to accommodate water polo. USA Swimming (USA-S) swims in both metric and non-metric pools. However, the international standard is metres, and world records are only recognized when swum in 50 m pools (or 25 m for short course) but 25-yard pools are very common in the US. In general, the shorter the pool, the faster the time for the same distance, since the swimmer gains speed from pushing off
3220-444: Is consistently among the top public recreational activities, and in some countries, swimming lessons are a compulsory part of the educational curriculum. As a formalized sport, swimming is featured in various local, national, and international competitions, including every modern Summer Olympics . Swimming involves repeated motions known as strokes to propel the body forward. While the front crawl , also known as freestyle ,
3312-436: Is often recommended for individuals with joint conditions or injuries, as the buoyancy of water reduces stress on the joints. However, swimmers with arthritis may wish to avoid swimming breaststroke, as improper technique can exacerbate arthritic knee pain. As with most aerobic exercise, swimming reduces the harmful effects of stress. Swimming also improves health for people with cardiovascular problems and chronic illnesses. It
3404-697: Is on power and water feel. The sport was governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). In December of 2022, FINA rebranded to World Aquatics. World Aquatics recognizes competitions of the 25 meter and 50 meter pools for International Competitions. In the United States, a pool of 25 yards in length is commonly used for competition, especially in the College Level. Other swimming and water-related sporting disciplines include open water swimming , diving , synchronized swimming , water polo , triathlon , and
3496-468: Is primarily a cardiovascular/aerobic exercise due to the long exercise time, requiring a constant oxygen supply, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. Furthermore, swimming can help tone and strengthen muscles. Regular swimming can help in weight management and contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight. (Robinson 2022) Swimming allows sufferers of arthritis to exercise affected joints without worsening their symptoms. Swimming
3588-452: Is proven to impact the mental health of pregnant women and mothers positively. Swimming can even improve mood. Although many forms of physical activity have been shown to improve bone density and health, this is where swimming has its downfalls. Due to the low-impact nature of the sport, studies have demonstrated that bone mass acquisition will be negatively impacted, which could be an issue for adolescent athletes in particular. Since 2010,
3680-805: Is required at most competitive swimming meets and public pools. Traditionally, children were considered not able to swim independently until 4 years of age, although now infant swimming lessons are recommended to prevent drowning. In Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Estonia and Finland, the curriculum for the fifth grade (fourth grade in Estonia) states that all children should learn to swim as well as how to handle emergencies near water. Most commonly, children are expected to be able to swim 200 metres (660 ft)—of which at least 50 metres (160 ft) on their back – after first falling into deep water and getting their head under water. Even though about 95 percent of Swedish school children know how to swim, drowning remains
3772-408: Is used to rescue people in the water who are in distress, including exhausted swimmers, non-swimmers who have accidentally entered the water, and others who have come to harm on the water. Lifeguards or volunteer lifesavers are deployed at many pools and beaches worldwide to fulfil this purpose, and they, as well as rescue swimmers , may use specific swimming styles for rescue purposes. Swimming
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3864-494: Is widely regarded as the fastest of the four main strokes, other strokes are practiced for special purposes, such as training. Swimming comes with certain risks, mainly because of the aquatic environment where it takes place. For instance, swimmers may find themselves incapacitated by panic and exhaustion , both potential causes of death by drowning . Other dangers may arise from exposure to infection or hostile aquatic fauna. To minimize such eventualities, most facilities employ
3956-484: The Americans with Disabilities Act has required that swimming pools in the United States be accessible to disabled swimmers. "Water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving quality of life and decreasing disability. It also improves or maintains the bone health of post-menopausal women." Swimming is an ideal workout for the elderly, as it is a low-impact sport with very little risk of injury. Exercise in
4048-593: The Eastgate Hotel at the historic east gate of the city. It then runs east–west, parallel and to the south of the High Street for most of its length. Merton College , one of Oxford's older colleges, is situated to the south of the street. To the west of Merton, Corpus Christi College , one of Oxford's smallest colleges, also fronts onto the street. At the very western end, actually in Oriel Square ,
4140-701: The Guinness Book of World Records as the world's deepest swimming pool reaching 60 metres (200 ft). The Y-40 swimming pool at the Hotel Terme Millepini in Padua , Italy, previously held the record, 42.15 m (138.3 ft), from 2014 until 2021. The Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco was the largest heated outdoor swimming pool in the United States. Opened on 23 April 1925, it measured 1,000 by 150 ft (300 by 50 m) and
4232-676: The Olympics . Professional swimmers may also earn a living as entertainers, performing in water ballets . Locomotion by swimming over brief distances is frequent when alternatives are precluded. There have been cases of political refugees swimming in the Baltic Sea and of people jumping in the water and swimming ashore from vessels not intended to reach land where they planned to go. There are many risks associated with voluntary or involuntary human presence in water, which may result in death directly or through drowning asphyxiation . Swimming
4324-766: The Royal Roads Military College is on the Canadian Register of Historic Places . According to the Guinness World Records , the largest swimming pool in the world is San Alfonso del Mar Seawater pool in Algarrobo , Chile . It is 1,013 m (3,323 ft) long and has an area of 8 ha (20 acres). At its deepest, it is 3.5 m (11 ft) deep. It was completed in December 2006. The largest indoor wave pool in
4416-442: The modern pentathlon . To prioritize safety when swimming, swimmers can ensure that there are certified lifeguards present, swimming in designated areas, and being aware of potential hazards such as currents and underwater obstacles. As a popular leisure activity done all over the world, one of the primary risks of swimming is drowning . Drowning may occur from a variety of factors, from swimming fatigue to simply inexperience in
4508-539: The palaestras , for nautical games and for military exercises. Roman emperors had private swimming pools in which fish were also kept, hence one of the Latin words for a pool was piscina . The first heated swimming pool was built by Gaius Maecenas in his gardens on the Esquiline Hill of Rome , likely sometime between 38 and 8 BC. Gaius Maecenas was a wealthy imperial advisor to Augustus and considered one of
4600-611: The sidestroke . The sidestroke, toward the end of the 19th century, changed this pattern by raising one arm above the water first, then the other, and then each in turn. It is still used in lifesaving and recreational swimming. Other strokes exist for particular reasons, such as training, school lessons, and rescue, and it is often possible to change strokes to avoid using parts of the body, either to separate specific body parts, such as swimming with only arms or legs to exercise them harder, or for amputees or those affected by paralysis. Swimming has been recorded since prehistoric times , and
4692-655: The 1950s in regions with warm summer climates, particularly in the United States with desegregation . A plunge pool is a smaller, permanently installed swimming pool, with a maximum size of approximately 3 m × 6 m (10 ft × 20 ft). Construction methods for private pools vary greatly. The main types of in-ground pools are gunite shotcrete , concrete, vinyl -lined, and one-piece fiberglass shells. Many countries now have strict pool fencing requirements for private swimming pools, which require pool areas to be isolated so that unauthorized children younger than six years cannot enter. Many countries require
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#17327728338604784-434: The High Street used to be known as Coach & Horses Lane , named after a public house on the west side of the lane. From the early 18th to the late 19th century, it became known as King Street . The rest of the street (the part running east–west) was originally known as St John Baptist's Street , named after the church which is now Merton College's chapel. In 1751, the whole street had become King Street, but by 1772 just
4876-577: The United States after World War II and the publicity given to swimming sports by Hollywood films such as Esther Williams ' Million Dollar Mermaid made a home pool a desirable status symbol. More than 50 years later, the home or residential swimming pool is a common sight. Some small nations enjoy a thriving swimming pool industry (e.g., New Zealand pop. 4,116,900 – holds the record in pools per capita with 65,000 home swimming pools and 125,000 spa pools). A two-storey, white concrete swimming pool building composed of horizontal cubic volumes built in 1959 at
4968-558: The availability of the raw sheet sizes (typically manufactured in Japan). There is often a mid-depth seating or lounging system, and contoured lounger style reclining seats are common. Upmarket spas include various jet nozzles (massage, pulsating, etc.), a drinks tray, lights, LCD flat-screen TV sets and other features that make the pool a recreation center. Due to their family-oriented nature, home spas are normally operated from 36 to 39 °C (97 to 102 °F). Many pools are incorporated in
5060-784: The butterfly stroke. In 1873, John Arthur Trudgen introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions. The butterfly was developed in the 1930s and was considered a variant of the breaststroke until it was accepted as a separate style in 1953. There are many reasons why people swim, from a recreational pursuit to swimming as a necessary part of a job or other activity. Swimming may also be used to rehabilitate injuries, especially various cardiovascular and muscle injuries. Professional opportunities in swimming range from competitive sports to coaching, lifeguarding, and working in aquatic therapy. Some may be gifted and choose to compete professionally and go on to claim fame. Many swimmers swim for recreation, with swimming consistently ranking as one of
5152-749: The cold". The coastal tribes living in the volatile Low Countries were known as excellent swimmers by the Romans . Men and horses of the Batavi tribe could cross the Rhine without losing formation, according to Tacitus . Dio Cassius describes one surprise tactic employed by Aulus Plautius against the Celts at the Battle of the Medway : The [British Celts] thought that Romans would not be able to cross it without
5244-425: The current program includes events from 50 m to 1500 m in length, across all four main strokes and medley. During the season competitive swimmers typically train multiple times per day and week to increase endurance, strength, and preserve fitness. Furthermore when the cycle of work is completed swimmers go through a stage called taper where intensity is reduced in preparation for competition season. During taper, focus
5336-671: The earliest records of swimming date back to Stone Age paintings from around 7,000 years ago. Written references date from 2000 BCE. Some earliest references include the Epic of Gilgamesh , the Iliad , the Odyssey , the Bible (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), Beowulf , and other sagas. In 450 BC, Herodotus described a failed seaborne expedition of Mardonius with the words "…those who could not swim perished from that cause, others from
5428-452: The early and mid-1980s by designers and landscape architects with environmental concerns. They have recently been growing in popularity as an alternative to traditional swimming pools. Natural pools are constructed bodies of water in which no chemicals or devices that disinfect or sterilize water are used, and all the cleaning of the pool is achieved purely with the motion of the water through biological filters and plants rooted hydroponically in
5520-493: The east–west part was called Merton Street. The entire street became known as Merton Street only in the 20th century. Siegfried Sassoon briefly took rooms in no 14 during 1919, on the recommendation of Lady Ottoline Morrell . The historian Michael Brock (1920–2014) and his wife (and co-editor) Eleanor lived in the street in the early 1950s. The academic and author J. R. R. Tolkien had rooms in Merton Street towards
5612-517: The easy passages in this region were to be found, but the Romans in attempting to follow them were not so successful. However, the [Batavii] swam across again and some others got over by a bridge a little way up-stream, after which they assailed the barbarians from several sides at once and cut down many of them. The Talmud , a compendium of Jewish law written compiled c. 500 CE, requires fathers to teach their son how to swim. In 1538, Nikolaus Wynmann,
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#17327728338605704-494: The extremities (fingers and toes). Because infants exhibit instinctual swimming behaviors, though formal training is recommended to reinforce these abilities. , classes for babies about six months old are offered in many locations. This helps build muscle memory and makes strong swimmers from a young age. Swimming can be undertaken using a wide range of styles, known as 'strokes,' and which are used for different purposes or to distinguish between classes in competitive swimming. Using
5796-566: The first patrons of arts. Ancient Sinhalese built a pair of pools called " Kuttam Pokuna " in the kingdom of Anuradhapura , Sri Lanka, in the 6th century AD. They were decorated with flights of steps, punkalas or pots of abundance, and scroll design. Swimming pools became popular in Britain in the mid-19th century. As early as 1837, six indoor pools with diving boards existed in London, England. The Maidstone Swimming Club in Maidstone , Kent
5888-565: The indoor climate to provide a comfortable swimming environment. Human swimming This is an accepted version of this page Swimming is the self- propulsion of a person through water or other liquid, such as saltwater or freshwater environments, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Swimmers achieve locomotion by coordinating limb and body movements to achieve hydrodynamic thrust that results in directional motion. Newborns can instinctively hold their breath underwater and exhibit rudimentary swimming movements as part of
5980-419: The innovation of the pre-form composite method where mosaic tiles are bonded to the shell this enables commercial spas to be completely factory manufactured to specification and delivered in one piece. Hot tubs are typically made somewhat like a wine barrel with straight sides, from wood such as Californian redwood held in place by metal hoops. Immersion of the head is not recommended in spas or hot tubs due to
6072-478: The less hardy of the aquatic brigade to join. So, bathers gradually became swimmers, and bathing pools became swimming pools. In 1939, Oxford created its first major public indoor pool at Temple Cowley. The modern Olympic Games started in 1896 and included swimming races, after which the popularity of swimming pools began to spread. In the US, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia clubhouse (1907) boasts one of
6164-435: The nearly neutral buoyancy of the human body. On average, the body has a relative density of 0.98 compared to water, which causes the body to float. However, buoyancy varies based on body composition, lung inflation, muscle and fat content, centre of gravity and the salinity of the water. Higher levels of body fat and saltier water both lower the relative density of the body and increase its buoyancy. Because they tend to have
6256-738: The palace were converted into the Moskva Pool open-air swimming pool after the process of de-Stalinisation . However, after the fall of communism , Christ the Saviour Cathedral was re-built on the site between 1995 and 2000; the cathedral had originally been located there. The highest swimming pool is believed to be in Yangbajain (Tibet, China). This resort is located at 4,200 m (13,800 ft) AMSL and has two indoor swimming pools and one outdoor swimming pool, all filled with water from hot springs . Length: Most pools in
6348-402: The physical activities people are most likely to participate in. Recreational swimming can also be used for exercise, relaxation, or rehabilitation. The support of the water and the reduction in impact make swimming accessible for people unable to undertake activities such as running. Swimming is one of the most relaxing activities, and water is known to calm us and help reduce stress. Swimming
6440-591: The pool was open to the sexes at different times with a break for bathers to climb in without fear of observation by the other sex. These were the forerunners of modern "Olympic" pools. A variation was the later development of sea- or harbour-side pools that circulated sea water using pumps. A pool of this type was the training ground for Australian Olympian Dawn Fraser . There are currently about 100 ocean baths in New South Wales , which can range from small pools roughly 25 metres long and "Olympic Sized" (50m) to
6532-604: The pool. Depth must be at least 2 m (6.6 ft). The water must be kept at 25–28 °C (77–82 °F) and the lighting level at greater than 1500 lux . There are also regulations for color of lane rope, positioning of backstroke flags (5 metres from each wall), and so on. Pools claimed to be "Olympic pools" do not always meet these regulations, as FINA cannot police use of the term. Touchpads are mounted on both walls for long course meets and each end for short course. A pool may be referred to as fast or slow, depending on its physical layout. Some design considerations allow
6624-417: The pools by flooding from tidal tanks or by regular flooding over the side of the pools at high tide. This continued a pre-European tradition of bathing in rockpools with many of the current sites being expanded from sites used by Aboriginal Australians or early European settlers. Bathing in these pools provided security against both rough surf and sea life. There were often separate pools for women and men, or
6716-399: The reduction of swimming resistance making the pool faster: namely, proper pool depth, elimination of currents, increased lane width, energy absorbing racing lane lines and gutters, and the use of other innovative hydraulic, acoustic and illumination designs. In the last two decades, a new style of pool has gained popularity. These consist of a small vessel (usually about 2.5 × 5 m) in which
6808-495: The regulations regarding temperature, lighting, and automatic officiating equipment. An Olympic-size swimming pool (first used at the 1924 Olympics ) is a pool that meets FINA's additional standards for the Olympic Games and for world championship events. It must be 50 by 25 m (164 by 82 ft) wide, divided into eight lanes of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) each, plus two areas of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) at each side of
6900-441: The rest of the building, but extra heating and ventilation and other engineering solutions are required to ensure comfortable humidity levels. In addition to drainage and automatic pool covers, there are a number of ways to remove the humidity present in the air in any wet indoor environment. Efficient dehumidification in the indoor pool environment prevents structural damage, lowers energy costs for cooling or heating, and improves
6992-478: The seating area of the pool, or a footwell area. This is more common as a temperature control device where the heated water comes from a natural (uncontrolled heat) geothermal source, rather than artificially heated. Water temperature is usually very warm to hot – 38 to 42 °C (100 to 108 °F) – so bathers usually stay in for only 20 to 30 minutes. Bromine or mineral sanitizers are often recommended as sanitizers for spas because chlorine dissipates at
7084-543: The south is Merton Grove (opposite Magpie Lane), providing pedestrian access between Merton College and Corpus Christi College to Christ Church Meadow to the south. The street is designated the A420 due to the blockage of the High Street to normal traffic. To the west it continues through Oriel Square, where Oriel College is located. Despite being cobbled, the street has been repaired by Oxford City Council using asphalt . The part of modern-day Merton Street adjoining
7176-426: The swimmer swims in place, either against the push of an artificially generated water current or against the pull of restraining devices. These pools have several names, such as swim spas , swimming machines , or swim systems . They are all examples of different modes of resistance swimming . Hot tubs and spa pools are common heated pools used for relaxation and sometimes for therapy. Commercial spas are common in
7268-414: The swimming pool area or sauna area of a health club or fitness center, in men's clubs, women's clubs, motels and exclusive five-star hotel suites. Spa clubs may have very large pools, some segmented into increasing temperatures. In Japan, men's clubs with many spas of different size and temperature are common. Commercial spas are generally made of concrete, with a mosaic tiled interior. More recently with
7360-449: The system. In essence, natural pools seek to recreate swimming holes and swimmable lakes, the environment where people feel safe swimming in a non-polluted, healthy, and ecologically balanced body of water. Water in natural pools has many desirable characteristics. For example, red eyes, dried-out skin and hair, and bleached swimsuits associated with overly chlorinated water are naturally absent in natural pools. Natural pools, by requiring
7452-538: The third most common cause of death among children. In both the Netherlands and Belgium swimming lessons under school time ( schoolzwemmen , school swimming) are supported by the government. Most schools provide swimming lessons. There is a long tradition of swimming lessons in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Dutch translation for the breaststroke swimming style is even schoolslag (schoolstroke). In France, swimming
7544-482: The training of lifeguards and astronauts . Swimming pools most commonly use chlorinated water, or salt water, and may be heated or unheated. The " Great Bath " at the site of Mohenjo-Daro in modern-day Pakistan was most likely the first swimming pool, dug during the 3rd millennium BC. This pool is 12 by 7 metres (39 by 23 feet), is lined with bricks, and was covered with a tar-based sealant. Ancient Greeks and Romans built artificial pools for athletic training in
7636-658: The very large, such as the 50 × 100 m baths in Newcastle . While most are free, a number charge fees, such as the Bondi Icebergs Club pool at Bondi Beach . Despite the development of chlorinated and heated pools, ocean baths remain a popular form of recreation in New South Wales. A semi-natural ocean pool exists on the central coast of New South Wales; it is called The Bogey Hole . An infinity pool (also named negative edge or vanishing edge pool )
7728-427: The wall after each turn at the end of the pool. Width: The width of the pool depends on the number of swimming lanes and the width of each individual lane. In an Olympic swimming pool each lane is 2.5 meters wide and contains 10 lanes, thus making the pool 25 meters wide. Depth: The depth of a swimming pool depends on the purpose of the pool, and whether it is open to the public or strictly for private use. If it
7820-502: The water and air can be let out and this type of pool can be folded up for convenient storage. They are regarded in the swimming pool industry as "splasher" pools intended for cooling off and amusing toddlers and children, not for swimming, hence the alternate name of "kiddie" pools. Toys are available for children and other people to play with in pool water. They are often blown up with air so they are soft but still reasonably rugged, and can float in water. Public pools are often part of
7912-450: The water works out all muscle groups, helping with conditions such as muscular dystrophy which is common in seniors. It is also a common way to relieve pain from arthritis. Swimming as a sport predominantly involves participants competing to be the fastest over a given distance in a certain period of time. Competitors swim different distances in different levels of competition. For example, swimming has been an Olympic sport since 1896, and
8004-472: The water. Swimming strokes use this resistance to create propulsion, but this same resistance also generates drag on the body. Hydrodynamics is important to stroke technique for swimming faster, and swimmers who want to swim faster or exhaust less try to reduce the drag of the body's motion through the water. To be more hydrodynamically effective, swimmers can either increase the power of their strokes or reduce water resistance. However, power must increase by
8096-433: The water. From 2005 to 2014, an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings occurred in the United States, approximating 10 deaths a day. To minimize the risk and prevent potential drownings from occurring, lifeguards are often employed to supervise swimming locations such as public pools, waterparks, lakes and beaches. Different lifeguards receive different training depending on the sites that they are employed at; i.e.
8188-640: The world are measured in metres, but in the United States pools are often measured in feet and yards. In the UK most pools are calibrated in metres, but older pools measured in yards still exist. In the US, pools tend to either be 25 yards ( SCY - short course yards), 25 metres ( SCM -short course metres) or 50 metres ( LCM - long course meters ). US high schools and the NCAA conduct short course (25 yards) competition. There are also many pools 33 + 1 ⁄ 3 m long, so that 3 lengths = 100 m. This pool dimension
8280-871: The world is at DreamWorks Water Park within the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey , United States, and the largest indoor pool in North America is at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in the Sonny Carter Training Facility at NASA JSC in Houston. In 2021, Deep Dive Dubai , located in Dubai, UAE, was certified by
8372-549: The world's first modern above-ground swimming pools. The first swimming pool to go to sea on an ocean liner was installed on the White Star Line 's Adriatic in 1906. The oldest known public swimming pool in the U.S., Underwood Pool, is located in Belmont, Massachusetts . Interest in competitive swimming grew following World War I . Standards improved and training became essential. Home swimming pools became popular in
8464-562: Was so large that the lifeguards required kayaks for patrol. It was closed in 1971 due to low patronage. In Europe, the largest swimming pool opened in 1934 in Elbląg ( Poland ), providing a water area of 33,500 square metres (361,000 sq ft). One of the largest swimming pools ever built was reputedly created in Moscow after the Palace of Soviets remained uncompleted. The foundations of
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