It's Cool to Swim

My morning swim over the last two or more weeks has been taken in the Lido. I eventually plucked up courage to brave the icy waters. I decided that if I didn't do it the summer would be over that is if it isn't already! Another factor in my decision was the ongoing repairs to the diving board in the Regional indoor pool that kept the diving pit, the only deep water part of the pool closed. This meant the rest of the pool was regularly clogged up with swimmers. When the pool was built some 35 years ago the City Council in it's usual short sighted wisdom built it far too small. It's length is only 25 meters which is far too short for any serious competition swimming and training. Another factor is the demolition of the Bretton Woods school and it's swimming pool which was used regularly by the U3A members. They now have to use the regional pool to swim.

The Lido was built in 1935 and is only one of 12 open air lido in the country that have survive. The City Council tried to shut and demolish the pool several years ago but there was such an outcry from the public that they had to keep it going. It's now a Grade 11 listed building so it has to be maintained in good repair. There's three pools set within a walled area The main 50 meter pool has changing cubicles surrounding Three sides with a sun deck above them Then there is two smaller pools surrounded by a well maintained grassy area. Great for family picnics on warm afternoons. The small cafe that operated some years ago has unfortunately been replaced with vending machines.

It's an unbelievable good feeling to swim in the fresh air instead of the stuffy atmosphere of the indoor pool. Even on mornings like today when the pool temperature was 20 degrees and the air temperature only 17 degrees with a cool south easterly wind whipping up the surface of the water. When the sun breaks through the rain filled stormy clouds it glints and shines on the waters surface making it a glowing blue.
There's a camaraderie amongst us early morning 'dippers' Our average age is around 60. There's Russ who's 79 and has been swimming in the Lido since 1936. Then there's Dot who's in her early 80's and arrives each morning racing in on her Mobility Scooter. Several of the other 'Seniors' arrive from all parts of the City on their mountain bikes.

We certainly do more exercise and calorie burning in the Lido as when your in the water you need to swim to keep the blood flowing or you'd soon start to feel cold! In the tepid 29 degree waters of the Indoor pool you feel more sluggish and exercise your jaw much more!!!