It’s Swim Time! (But then, isn’t it always?) |

As the seasons change, and the days grow darker, good swimming continues at Swimcrest.

It’s one of the things I love about having an indoor pool. When the weather starts to get colder, and we move toward that hibernation instinct, the water still beckons, a respite from the chill outside.

Both kids and adults have been pushing themselves this last few months, trying new skills, and increasing their comfort level in the water, no matter what their current swim abilities might be.

And yeah–I’ve been doing some swimming too.

My goodness! Had I even mentioned that my amazing husband and I did the Quassapaug Sailing Center Open Water Festival again this year?

He did the 1/2 mile, while, you know, of course I had to do ALL THE SWIMMING. A 3 mile race, a 1.5 mile, and a .5 mile for a total of 5 miles of racing. It was a good day.

As the open water season winds down, we find ways to make the pool silly and fun. And we watch out for dangerous aquatic life!

One of the best parts of my job? The little things like a portrait drawn for me. It’s a remarkable likeness, don’t you think?

The smiles on a kid who was previously terrified of the water make this job so very wonderful.

Finally, the last month and a half also included a quick trip to Iceland, where the water culture is strong. As most tourists do, we started with a trip to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal pool where we shook off the jetlag and adjusted after landing at 4:30 in the morning.

And yes, there were lifeguards assigned to stand on the deck in the biting wind and cold! Not quite the lifeguard uniform I wear when I’m on deck.

My mornings in Reykjavik started with swims at the Laugardalslaug pool. 5o Meters of stunning outdoor swimming.

I only wish I could have taken some photos for you, but the pool maintains a strict no photography policy, which I was reminded of each time I checked in.

The pool was popular, and I was one of many who lined up each morning, waiting for the doors to open at 6:30.

One thing I especially loved was that the pool was clearly a place for everyone, regardless of age or ability. All were welcome, either to swim laps or to soak in one of the “hot pot” tubs surrounding the pool. Often, children came before their school day, and as a parent whose child hated the sitting part of school, I thought a lot about how the American school day might be different if children were allowed to start with something simultaneously calming and exhilarating at the beginning of their day.

In addition, American pools could learn a thing or two, or 20, about the quality of showers and locker room facilities. Showers were required before entering the pool, with precision signage about what, ahem, areas of the body were to be washed thoroughly. What seems a total imposition when I’m swimming in a pool here seemed logical and essential when the showers were clean and warm and always well-maintained.

(One peculiarity, however, was that with the strict shower policy and emphasis on cleanliness, no swim caps were required. I confess that I found this quite confusing.)

Such a stunning way to start each day, with the steam drifting over the water so warm, I had to cool off even though the air temperature was -3 degrees celcius in the mornings!