Tell me about swim caps. [more inside]
posted by jennyb on Nov 2, 2009 - 15 answers

[Book/Story-filter] Trying to place a book or maybe short story from my youth (child of the late 70s-80s). The only thing I can remember is a guy going swimming at the Y. He thinks he sees a towel stuck in the drain at the bottom of the pool, but once he gets down there he realizes it is a rat coming out of the drain. It could be a really popular book for all I know. I just know that it scared the crap out of me and still freaks me out to this day a bit. Any ideas?
posted by speeb on Oct 5, 2009 - 2 answers

What are the best ear plugs for swimming? [more inside]
posted by Sevenupcan on Sep 22, 2009 - 7 answers

Can you teach me how to do a swimming flip turn? [more inside]
posted by LittlePumpkin on Sep 1, 2009 - 14 answers

Where to swim in Manhattan? [more inside]
posted by slateyness on Aug 27, 2009 - 11 answers

Where is there an exciting swimming hole/lake/river near Denver? [more inside]
posted by mrgoldenbrown on Aug 19, 2009 - 4 answers

Is the Ottawa river good for swimming in? [more inside]
posted by ~ on Aug 16, 2009 - 10 answers

So now that my local community swimming pool has been taken over by a corporation swimming rather sucks and I'm left trying to figure out if I can replace it with a different type of exercise while still getting the same benefits. Swimming helps with my back and shoulder problems as well as increasing my cardiovascular fitness but there must be other ways to do this without joining a gym, right? [more inside]
posted by shelleycat on Aug 5, 2009 - 12 answers

How long is each segment of Sheerr Pool at the University of Pennsylvania? [more inside]
posted by ootsocsid on Jul 22, 2009 - 9 answers

What did you wish you knew going into your first triathlon? [more inside]
posted by neilkod on Jul 17, 2009 - 25 answers

Does swimming dog + smartass ducks = lost dog? [more inside]
posted by txvtchick on Jul 17, 2009 - 12 answers

I recently moved to Phoenix and am lucky enough to have a swimming pool in my backyard. It's perfect for water aerobics but not so much for swimming, as one end of the pool is much shallower than the other. I'm looking for good instructional water aerobics videos. Any suggestions? I haven't found much on the web so I'm ok with buying something if it's highly recommended.
posted by alist on Jul 2, 2009 - 7 answers

2 part swimming question - effective core workouts and open water training. [more inside]
posted by protorp on Jun 17, 2009 - 3 answers

If my fiancée and I are trying to conceive, what type of lubrication should we use? [more inside]
posted by Bathtub Bobsled on Jun 15, 2009 - 24 answers

There are a couple of gorgeous beaches on the west side of the Mississippi river near Lake Street in south Minneapolis. Is it safe to swim or wade at them? [more inside]
posted by vytae on Jun 11, 2009 - 7 answers

I am thinking about getting a wetsuit to swim in the lake during the spring. [more inside]
posted by who else on Jun 7, 2009 - 5 answers

Swimming cardio filter: for front crawl where I gasp a breath every 3 strokes, does it make much difference for cardio that I am holding my breath vs being able to breathe freely as I would be able to with a special swimmer's snorkel (the snorkel goes up the middle of your forehead rather than being attached at the side). Anyone got any science on this?
posted by dino terror on Jun 3, 2009 - 8 answers

What's the best way to immediately treat severe wetsuit rash on neck? [more inside]
posted by lndl on May 31, 2009 - 9 answers

i like to swim, but friends have been lecturing me about the dangers of chlorine -- that it's been linked to cancer, that it's god-awful for your health and well-being, even if not cancerous. does anyone have an informed opinion on this issue?
posted by LittlePumpkin on May 30, 2009 - 36 answers

Have you ever been to the beaches in the Charleston, SC, area in May? Is the water warm enough to swim in, and how clear is it (jellyfish? seaweed? etc)? Should we instead go further down the Atlantic coast to Tybee Island? Is our attempt to find a new beach hopeless? Should we just go back to the Redneck Riviera (read: Gulf Coast)?
posted by TheNewWazoo on May 18, 2009 - 14 answers

Google-fail filter: List of swim strokes with animated gifs [more inside]
posted by dino terror on May 8, 2009 - 6 answers

Suggestions for an athletic club in the South Bay, preferably San Jose?---must offer tennis, swimming, and most importantly, a hot tub/jacuzzi that's great and at least 102 degrees Fahrenheit. All anecdotes, horror stories, etc. about any South Bay facility are most welcome. Thanks.
posted by Napoleonic Terrier on May 3, 2009 - 1 answer

Santa Monica swimming teacher? My friend is 67, can't swim, is terrified of the water, but wants to learn. Can you recommend someone who'd be right for this assignment?
posted by markcmyers on Apr 17, 2009 - 4 answers

Why am I occasionally getting coughing/breathing problems still when swimming after a 2 week course of antibiotics for a chest infection 2 months ago? ( I am very fit). [more inside]
posted by lndl on Apr 8, 2009 - 24 answers

Where in Northern or Central California is a good place to vacation in late April/Early May with swimming pools, movie stars, hot springs, massage, day hikes and/or B&Bs with vacancies? [more inside]
posted by BrotherCaine on Mar 24, 2009 - 8 answers

How can I make a perpetual iceberg in the shallow end of my friend's swimming pool for the summer? [more inside]
posted by Sully on Mar 5, 2009 - 30 answers

I need a recommendation for a waterproof mp3 solution. I was looking at the H20 Audio iSH-2 + an iPod Shuffle, but I've read some mixed reviews. This is for me to wear while swimming laps - I swim just under 3km an hour and don't do flip turns. [more inside]
posted by loudguitars on Feb 5, 2009 - 11 answers

Where are there good public swimming pools in Los Angeles area? [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah on Dec 14, 2008 - 6 answers

Will an empty in-ground plaster pool survive a winter in the North East US or does it need to be filled/winterized/etc.? [more inside]
posted by thankyoumuchly on Dec 9, 2008 - 4 answers

Inanimate object: 40ft pool in the back yard, and it's summer.
Animate (sic) object: 46yr old flabtastic wench who hasn't trained since the '70s.

Please help me create a swimming practice/mindset/routine that will bring the two together to create a healthier and leaner me. [more inside]
posted by Kerasia on Dec 6, 2008 - 10 answers

NaNoWriMo Novel filter: What's it actually like to swim with dolphins in the wild in non-contrived encounters. Not interested in pros or cons of swimming with these mammals, just in what the experience is like. (previously)
posted by Xurando on Nov 17, 2008 - 13 answers

My dad wants to know the name of an architect he saw on television. Details are fuzzy except that he wears an eyepatch and that he designed a house overlooking the California coast. [more inside]
posted by drea on Nov 6, 2008 - 6 answers

Mefi Mixtape Help! I'm currently in love with "The Swimming Song" by Loudon Wainwright III. Does anyone have suggestions for songs that are equally fun, carefree and generally badass? I tried the iTunes Genius playlist but it failed. Thanks in advance.
posted by beta male on Sep 29, 2008 - 10 answers

I am looking for a facility with a swimming pool in DC [more inside]
posted by fluffycreature on Sep 26, 2008 - 9 answers

I have rosacea which is kept in check with daily applications of MetroGel (metronidazole). I also like swimming as exercise. The problem is that swimming in a chlorinated pool leaves my nose area bright red, almost like a chemical burn. It takes at least 2 weeks of extra care on my part to reduce this redness. What are some things I can do to protect my face when swimming? Or will I have to give up swimming altogether? (Note that other types of exertion, such as jogging or cycling, do not result in this type of redness)
posted by needled on Sep 19, 2008 - 11 answers

I'm 24 years old and I don't really know how to swim. I can "not drown", but swimming is a no go. I need to fix this. [more inside]
posted by GilloD on Sep 4, 2008 - 25 answers

Are there any good swimming holes in the San Francisco Bay Area or nearby? (Let's say, within a three hour drive.) I'd love to find some fresh water to swim in -- lakes, rivers, streams, something like that. Thanks for any suggestions! (And feel free to Mefi-mail me if you don't want to tell everyone your secret spot.)
posted by salvia on Aug 26, 2008 - 18 answers

I would like to start swimming laps. I have big boobs. What size Speedo or Tyr-type woman's swimsuit should I get to prevent uncomfortable boob-flopping? [more inside]
posted by craichead on Aug 26, 2008 - 20 answers

Is there an aquatic sport called zapping? [more inside]
posted by ninebelow on Aug 26, 2008 - 3 answers

Fresh water creek/lake swimming in Central NJ? Recently went swimming in Double Trouble Park in South Jersey (official stance there is "no swimming" but no one bothered us), looking for similar experience in central NJ. [more inside]
posted by aleahey on Aug 23, 2008 - 2 answers

Prescription swimming eyewear hacks please! [more inside]
posted by not_on_display on Aug 6, 2008 - 13 answers

I am swimming for the first time in a swimming pool. I am facing 2 problems:- 1) My skin is itchy. 2) My skin color changes, i think due to water in the swimming pool. (due to chlorine ?). Is there any way i can prevent/minimize the above. I also use sunscreen.(walgreens zinc oxide version). Could 1 & 2 be due to sunscreen ?
posted by tom123 on Jul 27, 2008 - 15 answers

Help me transform myself from someone who knows how to swim (albeit inefficiently) into a real swimmer who swims laps for exercise. [more inside]
posted by freshwater_pr0n on Jul 23, 2008 - 18 answers

For a friend: where do people go swimming in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by fourcheesemac on Jul 18, 2008 - 13 answers

Ok, my penis is small. When I get in a pool, then get out, my bathing suit suctions to my body making my private parts very obvious in their lack of size. Probably no one notices... or do they? What bathing suit or bathing suit style is best suited for a man that is less-than well-endowed?
posted by anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 - 32 answers

Tips for a novice swimmer. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 - 15 answers

I am looking for a women's swimwear, which is fully covered. Can you pl. recommend some shopping store. The reason i am looking for fully covered is i have some marks on my upper arms and legs (on the thighs) due to skin surgery/transplantation and i want to cover them, so that they are not visible.
posted by tom123 on Jun 26, 2008 - 16 answers

Has anyone ever swum between the North Shore and Nahant, Massachusetts? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena on Jun 5, 2008 - 1 answer

Swim Filter: I've recently begun swimming a lot more for exercise and I have some questions [more inside]
posted by chickaboo on May 31, 2008 - 17 answers

Seeking swimming hole at lake around NYC like the ones I used to go to as a kid in Texas. [more inside]
posted by youcancallmeal on May 25, 2008 - 8 answers