Cold water has stopped many a beginning swimmer, young swimmer and ye olde swimmer. For too long pools have been dominated by competitive swimmers between the ages of ten and thirty-nine that like the cold water so they can swim even harder.

Cold water in effect keeps out many swimmers not able to stand the cold water. I think an unspoken benefit of cold water is that if the water is cold, then no one but competitive swimmers will want to get in the pool. Make the pool cold enough and there will be hardly anyone but the swim teams in the water.

Competitive runners and cyclist train in the heat for the training effect. When they race in colder temperatures, they go even faster. Competitive swimmers train like prima donas if they think the water must be cold for them to train.

Want swimming to be more successful and people healthier. Increase the temperature of the water a few degrees so more people feel comfortable enough to stay in the water long enough to enjoy it and learn how to swim easily.

Your thoughts now…