History Swimming pool

modern replica ancient roman baths in bath spa, england, uk

the great bath @ site of mohenjo-daro in modern-day pakistan first swimming pool, dug during 3rd millennium bc. pool 12 7 metres (39 23 feet), lined bricks, , covered tar-based sealant.

ancient greeks , romans built artificial pools athletic training in palaestras, nautical games , military exercises. roman emperors had private swimming pools in fish kept, hence 1 of latin words pool piscina. first heated swimming pool built gaius maecenas of rome in 1st century bc. gaius maecenas rich roman lord , considered 1 of first patrons of arts.

ancient sinhalese built pairs of pools called kuttam pokuna in kingdom of anuradhapura, sri lanka in 4th century bc. decorated flights of steps, punkalas or pots of abundance, , scroll design.

19th century

swimming pools became popular in britain in mid-19th century. 1837, 6 indoor pools diving boards existed in london, england. maidstone swimming club in maidstone, kent believed oldest surviving swimming club in britain. formed in 1844, in response concerns on drownings in river medway, since would-be rescuers drown because not swim safety. club used swim in river medway, , hold races, diving competitions , water polo matches. south east gazette july 1844 reported aquatic breakfast party: coffee , biscuits served on floating raft in river. coffee kept hot on fire; club members had tread water , drink coffee @ same time. last swimmers managed overturn raft, amusement of 150 spectators.

the amateur swimming association founded in 1869 in england, , oxford swimming club in 1909. presence of indoor baths in cobbled area of merton street might have persuaded less hardy of aquatic brigade join. so, bathers gradually became swimmers, , bathing pools became swimming pools.. in 1939, oxford created first major public indoor pool @ temple cowley.

the modern olympic games started in 1896 , included swimming races, after popularity of swimming pools began spread. in us, racquet club of philadelphia clubhouse (1907) boasts 1 of world s first modern above-ground swimming pools. first swimming pool go sea on ocean liner installed on white star line s adriatic in 1906. oldest known public swimming pool in america, underwood pool, located in belmont, massachusetts.

interest in competitive swimming grew following world war i. standards improved , training became essential. home swimming pools became popular in united states after world war ii , publicity given swimming sports hollywood films such esther williams million dollar mermaid made home pool desirable status symbol. more 50 years later, home or residential swimming pool common sight. small nations enjoy thriving swimming pool industry (e.g., new zealand pop. 4,116,900 [source nz census 7 march 2006] – holds record in pools per capita 65,000 home swimming pools , 125,000 spa pools).

a two-storey, white concrete swimming pool building composed of horizontal cubic volumes built in 1959 @ royal roads military college on registry of historic places of canada.

world records


moskva pool, @ 1 time largest swimming pool in world (1980)

according guinness world records, largest swimming pool in world san alfonso del mar seawater pool in algarrobo, chile. 1,013 m (3,323 ft) long , has area of 8 ha (20 acres). @ deepest, 3.5 m (11 ft) deep. completed in december 2006.

the largest indoor wave pool in north america @ west edmonton mall , largest indoor pool @ neutral buoyancy lab in sonny carter training facility @ nasa jsc in houston.

in 2014, y-40 swimming pool @ hotel terme millepini in padua, italy became deepest indoor pool, certified guinness book of world records recreational diving center nemo 33 near brussels, belgium held record until y-40 completed.

the fleishhacker pool in san francisco largest heated outdoor swimming pool in united states. opened on 23 april 1925, measured 1,000 150 ft (300 50 m) , large lifeguards required kayaks patrol. closed in 1971 due low patronage.

in europe, largest swimming pool opened in 1934 in elbląg (poland), providing water area of 33,500 square metres (361,000 sq ft).

one of largest swimming pools ever built reputedly created in moscow after palace of soviets remained uncompleted. foundations of palace converted moskva pool open-air swimming pool after process of de-stalinisation. however, after fall of communism, christ saviour cathedral re-built on site between 1995 , 2000; cathedral had been located there.

the highest swimming pool believed in yangbajain (tibet, china). resort located @ 4200 m amsl , has 2 indoor swimming pools , 1 outdoor swimming pool, filled water hot springs.