It's a hot summer day, and you've spent the morning mowing the lawn. Needless to say, you're ready to cool off and eager for some fun. Nothing fills that order like a swim, but will you head for the neighborhood swimming pool or someplace in the great outdoors, such as a lake? These two settings differ in many ways. .
First of all, swimming pools contrast with natural bodies of water because pools have been created with one purpose in mind: to make the swimming and recreational experience as fun and safe as possible. You won't bump into slimy fish, logs, or weeds at a pool. You'll find slides, a diving board, wading pools for little kids, lounge chairs, and maybe even a nice warm hottub nearby. Also, the water is treated with chemicals to keep the pool clean and safe, and nonslip surfaces alongside keep wet feet steady. You won't find these features at the seashore. For the most convenience, some pools are built indoors, allowing for recreation regardless of the weather.
A swim in a freshwater pond or the salty sea is a whole different experience. Humans did not create these places, and each is unique (most swimming pools, by distinction, look as if they rolled off the same assembly line). As you wade into the water, you'll feel grainy sand or soft mud in your toes, not the artificially smooth floor of a pool. In addition, water temperature is not controlled; it may be warm or icy cold. Oceans and ponds also differ from swimming pools in the variety of activities they offer. Once you've beat the heat with a dip, you can try boating, surfing, or fishing. On the other hand, weather can dampen the fun. A stormy or cold day can make it nearly impossible to do any of these activities outdoors.
Yet with all their differences, these two settings are alike in many ways, and swimmers find both appealing. For example, activities such as swimming lessons and junior lifesaving classes are available at city pools as well as rural lakes.
