A Very Cool Pool

Today my mom and I went to the local YMCA for an Arthritis Aquatics class. I try and bring her to the Y at least once a week but neither of us has been for at least three weeks…I blame it on the holidays although, in reality, I just needed a break. Anyway, starting in November, all the class members began complaining that the pool water was too cold. Now the average age of the class participants is probably 75 and I know most of them would like the pool kept at an almost sauna-like temperature. Me…I am probably the youngest member of the class and I feel like a cooked lobster when the pool gets too warm. So I was thrilled when suddenly it seemed the Y staff was keeping the pool at a cooler, more refreshing temperature. Today, however, even I began to shiver when we entered the water. The temperature written on the wipe-off board on the wall indicated the pool temperature was 85 degrees. No way!!! My teeth were chattering, my goosebumps had goosebumps, and, no matter how much I moved around, I just couldn’t get warm. It felt more like the lake I swam in during my youthful summers rather than a YMCA pool catering to older members. Anyway, I do feel sorry for the YMCA staff. While this particular aquatics class is geared for elderly members, other pool classes have younger attendees and there are always swimmers in the two lanes available at one side of the pool. I’m sure these folks complain when the pool is too warm. Oh well…you can’t please all the people all the time…but, when I’m cold in the pool, then you know there’s a problem.