Top 5 Tuesday: Best Swimming Venues in America
I had wanted to do this countdown for a while now, but there was one key ingredient missing: I had never swam at the Indianapolis Natatorium. Thanks to this Summer’s National Championships however, that void is now filled and I feel as if I have hit all the major ones. So, this Tuesday, we look at the Top 5 swimming venues in America.
Top 5 Apology: Between Japan, and now Montana I have been “out of country” (especially in Montana) and so apologize to my faithful readers for the absence of countdowns. I will make it up to you…but please enjoy this one for now.
5. Ft. Lauderdale- I am actually not a huge fan of this pool…but, I can’t argue with history. Too many National and YMCA National Championships (29) have been hosted here for me to leave it off the countdown. The pool also gets points for being the site of the most exciting race I’ve ever seen in my life (Erik Vendt vs. Michael Phelps 400 IM in 2002, where both went under the old World Record). What this pool lacks in amenities (four feet deep anyone?) it makes up in history and ambience (right next to both the International Swimming Hall of fame and, more importantly to the swimmers from the North, the beach).
4. Weyerhauser, Seattle- This pool takes the title for most underrated in the country. Built for the 1990 Goodwill Games, this is one of the few modern pools to feature seating on both sides of the swimming pool. The arena that nurtured stars such as Megan Jendrick and Ugur Taner from Regional to National and Olympic Champions truly is a special one. I am also going to admit some bias here, as this was always the pool I went to for big meets growing up.
3. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis- Another pool that I would say I “respect” more than I love. But once again, I just can’t refute the statistics. This pool makes the top 3 based on one number alone: 18. That’s because every single sub-19 second 50 free has been swam in this pool and this pool only: Freddie Bousquet’s miracles in 2005, and then the Cesar Cielo/Ben Wildman-Tobriner duels this year. Also the site of Neil Walker’s hallowed 44.9 100 backstroke, this pool is a launching point for barrier-breaking.
2. Texas- Speaking of history, let’s not forget the Texas Swim Center. The record board is littered with names like: Crocker, Peirsol, Hansen, Walker, Davis, Coughlin, Fetter Hedgepeth, Rouse, Evans and now Ziegler. If you’ve done great things in American Swimming in the past 20 years, you’ve most likely done some of them in Austin. The selling point of the pool is that its more swimmer than fan-friendly. Nine feet deep the entirety of the pool, wide lane lines and still (though being built in 1979?) state-of-the-art splash deck make this pool one of the fastest in the world.
1. Indianapolis- I will say that I was skeptical before having swam in “The Nat.” But all my doubts vanished the first night of watching finals this summer. This pool truly is the heart of American Swimming. The host of the Olympic Trials in 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000 nd now Nationals this year, this is Mecca for anyone that loves USA Swimming. The total seating area of 4,700 may intimidate, and allow for less-than-capacity swimming for many events, but when filled special things have always happened. Indianapolis always does a fine job hosting as well, as swimming is both respected and embraced for its weekend sojourns to the city. If you haven’t already, check out the webcasts from Nationals this year as the intro does a good job explaining the uniqueness of the facility.
Comment by Nathan
Posted on August 28th, 2007 at 20:00
Good picks David. At the King County Aquatic Center kicks major butt :)
Comment by Scott
Posted on August 28th, 2007 at 20:31
Dudes. Berkeley Aquatic Club, Berkeley Heights, NJ. Enough said.
Comment by Gus
Posted on August 28th, 2007 at 20:39
The North Pole
Comment by Jon
Posted on August 28th, 2007 at 21:00
Look for the Ohio State pool, 2 years old, to become a favorite soon. Plenty of seating on both sides, huge scoreboard, brightly lit.
Comment by mark
Posted on August 28th, 2007 at 22:02
David, you were looking for Top 5 ideas, and now I think this one just begs for top 5 worst swimming venues. Nothing bitter or mean spirited, just total honesty from people that have experienced the worst.
Comment by doc
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 05:04
Another fun list, David. Thanks.
Some fine facilities on your list, but for history none of them tops Santa Clara International Swim Center, including more significant international athlete performances than any U.S. pools outside of the Olympic meets in Los Angeles and Atlanta. The world records at Santa Clara started in the mid-60s (22 world records from 1967-1969 alone) and has produced American and world records — in a mid-season meet — as recently as 2000 (Torres 50 free) and 2003 (Phelps 200 IM).
It would be fun to see what the old pool could produce at this point in a major selection meet or season ending invitational like a Duel in the Pool, whether with the Aussies or European. The pool record-holder list, and the names that held the records that have been erased that never graced Indy or Texas (i.e. Popov, Leisel Jones, etc.) reads as impressively any of the facilities on your Top-5. And you should know. You got to the podium there this summer and hopefully at least took a look a some of the history reflected in the meet program.
The tanks with the highest international impact are obviously the Olympic tanks. While we haven’t heard much more from the Atlanta pool since 1996, the 1984 L.A. Olympic pool at USC and, for history, the 1932 L.A. Swim Coliseum before that (I don’t know if it even still exists but it was host to arguably the best U.S. Nationals in terms of world records broken and number of athletes breaking them the 1970 summer nationals at the 1932 Olympic tank has to rank near the top, with several events having 3-4 athletes at a time under what was the world mark coming into the meet) have continuous impact on American swimming for 75 years.
Your list is top heavy with indoor facilities with NCAA focus and, sad to say for a Montana boy, your Harvard experience has apparently created some eastern bias as 4 of the 5 were in the eastern half of the US (Minneapolis and Austin being right at the midpoint), overcome only by your own youth expeience at Weyerhauser.
Nothing against any of these tanks, but remember where the world swims most seriously. Usually long course and usually outdoors — and not in pools with 4 foot depth.
Comment by JB
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 07:19
Two more that deserve consideration:
1) Avery Aquatic Center, Stanford, CA. Probably the best outdoor facility in the country. Not many facilities have 2 10-lane 50m pools, a 35m pool (convertable to 25Y, 25m or water polo, and a separate 25Y diving well with towers).
2) Mizzou Aquatics Center, Columbia, MO. Don’t laugh. This pool may lack history, but it’s smokin’ fast. Just ask Michael Phelps.
Comment by Scott
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 08:17
Ok, lets add the Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach.
And, David, you set yourself up for the worldwide top 5?
Comment by doc
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 08:41
Nice thing about Belmont is that it has history both long course (1968 and 1976 trials, though part is not deep) and short course, with on deep end especially. And the setting on the beach is hard to beat.
Comment by Erik
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 11:52
No offense guys - but I think everybody is looking at the amazing times and performances - rather than the facilities itself.
For example - the pool in Ft. Lauderdale is terrible. I had a training camp there 20 years ago and it was bad then.
The pool in Seattle is at best OK — not very exciting by any means. And I think people were not too impressed with Indianapolis just a few weeks ago.
Belmont ? That pool is terrible - have you been there ? That should be on the worst list !!
Which brings me to my next point — the US does not have any great swimming venues for big meets. Sorry - but they simply don’t measure up. There is a reason that the Olympic Trials have to go into a “tank”.
Top Venues - (and yes - I am German) -
3 - Berlin — looks like bunker from the outside. But 2 indoor 50m pools + another 25m pool — good stands and space.
2 - Barcelona — great facility all around
1 - Munich — No pool I have been to is even close - although I have not been there in a few years.
Have never been to Australia - so I imagine Sydney and or Perth have great pools as well.
Comment by Kirk Nelson
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 12:11
I’ve swum at four of the five on David’s list. Texas is the one I haven’t been to, but should knock that off next year. I like your top five. I agree Ft. Lauderdale isn’t the fastest pool, but I like it. The sunshine, the waterway right behind it and the Atlantic a block away on the other side make it pretty unique. I also agree with JB that Stanford (Avery) belongs on the list.
Comment by Scott
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 12:21
Ok, so I think the question then is whether this is a top 5 about pools or the venue themselves… I think on that hinges the answer to everyone’s feelings towards each of these facilities. Like Kirk just said, Ft. Lauderdale is not the best of pools, but the location is great.
Comment by JB
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 12:52
Also, if “great venue” also means great for spectators, then we probably don’t have a great one in the U.S. The best pools usually have both inadequate deck space and/or seating, and they’re usually way too hot and humid inside for comfortable spectating.
Comment by Mario
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 13:13
Do you mean America or United States? Because the are Amazing facilities at Brazil and Mexico
Comment by Swimwatch
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 13:18
Agreed on all counts. I love the Minneapolis pool the most, but that’s for sentimental I-swam-great-there reasons :)
Comment by JJ
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 15:40
Belmont is old and lacks some modern technology/amenities, but it’s not terrible, in fact still fast; Coughlin just set an American record there this year; Kirk set one a few years ago that still stands as well.
Though it’s gone, the temporary venue in Long Beach for 2004 Trials produced many world records (8, I think?)and had great views on all sides: of the skyline, beach, ocean and the convention center with whales and other aquatic creatures painted no the side.
Comment by Jill
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 17:23
Another Ft. Lauderdale fan here. It really helped when they added the second 50M pool in the early 90s, and there’s just something about finishing up an open water race on the beach, getting a drink of water as you walk across the street, and then hopping right into a pool practice.
The main competition pool may be shallow but it’s got so much location and atmosphere.
Worst pool? Adrian College (Michigan) When the team ends up folding because their facility got condemned for lack of structural soundness, and it was basically a quonset hut over a concrete pit to begin with, you’re talking bad pools.
Comment by mania
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 23:31
yeah i agree, i dont think this list should just be where recent fast swimming has occurred. i totally agree with whoever it was about but the the mizzou pool is amazing! Great facility, fast water. I thnk ft lauderdale is terrible and so is the nat, david i know you are impartial, because that pool got to experience the “where did david cromwell come from” celebration. i totally agree with texas, not for its history, but that pool is just FAST.
globally, there are so many new pools being constructed in europe right now, i know i am impartial, but ive been to about 5 competition pools in poland, and i would rank them all 100x more visually appealing than about any pool in the US, however, not just poland, but all over the world. All of those pools now are using natural light so well, and it just makes it so bright in there, half of going fast is being in a pleasant environment, not one that makes you want to go to sleep. the pool in japan was amazing, and that wasnt even tokyo, i heard fukuoka was really nice as well. their use of the latest state of the art technology made it such a great environment for fast swimming.
Comment by Robertnole
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 23:47
ft laudy daudy could use some refurbishing, but its a great place to swim
Comment by Shane Falco
Posted on September 2nd, 2007 at 11:30
Florida arguably has the best outdoor facility from a spectator’s standpoint
Comment by Erik
Posted on September 2nd, 2007 at 18:24
What’s the story with TimedFinals being bought / sold — I think an update would be nice !!!
Comment by Nathan
Posted on September 2nd, 2007 at 18:28
No worries, Erik. It will allow us to not only do our jobs better, but increase the capacity and work flow of which we operate.
Comment by Gina
Posted on September 3rd, 2007 at 02:32
I’ve see some pictures of the outdoor pool in the USA and they look quite impressive, Stanford being one of them. I’m from the UK and the best pool here is in Sheffield. 10×50m main pool and 6×25m diving pit. There is a lot of spectator seating and the poolside area extends under the this area so their is a lot of room to sit privately. Only bad thing about this area is the parking but that is the usual thing in this country!
Comment by Jane
Posted on September 3rd, 2007 at 12:24
Ft. Lauderdale does have the ambience, but you need an ALL-day meet there to get an even tan in the stands.
Ohio State might emerge as a new force but when I swam there last year (not long after it opened), the walls were way slippery.
and Down Under, the Sydney Olympic pool was gorgeous but it had some funky temperature zones throughout the length of it. The AIS pool in Canberra was really nice, just about perfect (to my admittedly not-very-experienced standards).
Comment by Top 5 Tuesday: Excuses - Timed Finals
Posted on September 4th, 2007 at 12:58
[…] Last Week’s Top 5 […]
Comment by Frank
Posted on September 7th, 2007 at 13:23
Atlanta is killer. Enclosed since the 96 games where almost a dozen world records were broken, it hosted the 2006 men’s NCAA’s and is hosting the upcoming SC nationals. It has a deck that lends itself to hosting massive meets with ease. With its scoreboard and ample seating it is truly a marvel.
Comment by Eric
Posted on November 19th, 2007 at 00:35
Belmont is alright, it’s a pretty fast pool, but doesn’t really look it. The Nat is unbelievable, and Minnesota is like a 7/8ths version of the Nat, so that gets high marks too.