[Valpal1]

Swimming pools are expensive and less likely to be found in poor neighborhoods. Swimming lessons aren’t cheap either.

My husband and I have invested thousands of dollars and thousands of hours so our children could participate in a swim club.

Personally, if I was ruler of the universe, I’d require all school systems to have an indoor pool and replace gym with swim. I think most of the sports taught in P.E. are a waste of time because almost none of them can be done to promote phyiscal fitness on a lifelong basis.

Swimming is the perfect exercise even when you’re an arthritic old fart.

[freedumb2003]

>>Personally, if I was ruler of the universe, I’d require all school systems to have an indoor pool and replace gym with swim. I think most of the sports taught in P.E. are a waste of time because almost none of them can be done to promote phyiscal fitness on a lifelong basis.<<

Wow, as ruler of the universe, your sights are rather low... ;)

[CatherineofAragon]

"Swimming pools are expensive and less likely to be found in poor neighborhoods. Swimming lessons aren’t cheap either."

Well, I guess that's it......Moochelle will make "pool deserts" her next project.

[mckenzie7]

My parents bought me a bicycle and I rode it to the river and also the beach. (Also rode it to school when there wasn't any snow plus countless errands for my parents) Learned to swim by myself.

Bicycle = $60.00

Swimsuit = $10.00

Life time investment = $70.00

[mckenzie7]

My parents bought me a bicycle and I rode it to the river and also the beach. (Also rode it to school when there wasn't any snow plus countless errands for my parents) Learned to swim by myself.

Bicycle = $60.00

Swimsuit = $10.00

Life time investment = $70.00

[ozaukeemom]

I was taught to swim in a lake, no cost, by my uncle at age 5. One of my happiest memories.

Yes, our high school had a pool. My teacher told me only fat people can float. Really hated that class. I am lucky I knew how to swim already. We had rivers and falls and lakes; everybody swam.

I have had so many friends who are black just flat out tell me that black people do not swim, period. lol I have been told much of the time it is cuz of their hair. Seems silly, but whatever.

I have not gone swimming in probably almost 25 years, but I bet I could if I needed to. My son learned at a pool when he was about 4.

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

I’m 35 and arthritic so don’t feel bad.

[Finny]

Swimming is the perfect exercise even when you’re an arthritic old fart.

Yep. It does everything better except one: bone density. As a primary swimmer, I make sure I emphasize weight-bearing and hill walking when I don't swim. Swimming has my resting heart rate at 57, which is athlete class, and believe me ... I'm no athlete.