Pool length

Really depends on where you swim.  I expect that most pools at universities are 25/50m to be consistent with the international standards for competition.  Things like rec centers and community pools ...who knows.

Most pools in the Vancouver area are in meters, 25, 50, and even one 135m pool. Some pools do have a strange shape, i.e. not rectangular, so that they can be swam as 25 yards/length.

Jen

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135m seems like an odd number....hmmmm

Most of the pools here in NYC are in yards, this can be said for the YMCAs at least, but AG does have an Olympic Size pool, the only one in Manhattan

How many meters to a mile and how many yards in the pool is a mile? Sorry, I forgot elementary school math. Heck, I just swim, but it would be nice to know.

It's easy to find out the meters to mile conversions from google.

I typed 1 mile to meters and got
1 mile = 1 609.344 meters

and 1 mile to yards
1 mile = 1 760 yards

HTH.
Jen

Actually it's 137m. Definitely an odd number. I have no idea why. Here's another thread regarding pool lengths.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Jen

Most pools in the U.S. are yards. Regardless of if they are at a university, high school, rec center, etc. its probably a 25 yard pool. Most competitions at the club, high school, and college level are held in 25 yard pools, so therefore that is the most common size pool across the U.S. For some reason, us Americans just love to be different and not abide by the standard 50 m pool length of most international (including olympic) competitions.

If you really want to figure out if your pool is yards or meters, just measure it. Easiest way to measure is if there are large tiles or blocks on the pool deck or on the edge of the pool. Measure one of them, then count how many run along the side of the pool.

Odds are, its yards, though.

You really think major universities have 25yard pools?  How could their swimmers possibly qualify for national/international level meets...since most olympic swimmers are college (or high school) kids.

Most of the more competitive universities have 50 meter pools that are 25 yards across. They typically have a moveable bulkhead to make the length of the pool anything from 15 meters to 50 meters. I should note that those universities that do have 50 meter pools typically rearrange the lane lines for general public lap swimming so that the lengths are 25 yards. Most other universities with average caliber swim teams have 25 yard pools.

I swam for the University of Georgia and so I travelled around to many pools in my lifetime and 25 yard is the most common. At the NCAA (college)level, all championship meets are held in 25 yard pools, with the exception of Olympic years. On an Olympic year, the championships are held in a 25 meter pool and typically to accommodate for the 25 meters, the championships are held at a venue with a moveable bulkhead.

As for how the athletes qualify for international events, this puts many swimmers at a disadvantage in America. Yes, most of the elite swimmers have access to a 50 meter pool to train in, but there are many that do not. Also, since the NCAA season competes in 25 yard pools, it is difficult for swimmers to train 8 months for 25 yard competitions and then focus the other 4 months (typically summer for international events) at the 50 meter distance.

They just wanted to be different!

AG is not the only 50 meter pool in Manhattan. Riverside State Park, on West 145th St, also has a 50 meter pool. Since its a public pool the hours aren't great (like, no evening hours, no lap swimming other than early morning and late afternoon), but it only costs $2 per visit. I haven't checked it out yet, but am planning to within the next few weeks.

FYI Wash Park rec center pool is meters. 32 laps (1600) for a mile. It's crowded though. Don't know about other pools in the denver area though. The life guards usually know.