Last Updated on September 27, 2025 by stlplace
Yesterday (9/14 Sunday, I started writing this blog on 9/15 Monday) was the last day for the outdoor pool at the J Creve Coeur, for this year.
This summer is likely the most I swam in a summer in an outdoor setting.
Growing up I didn’t know how to swim. The main reason is my parents were very much scared that we would drown in the water reservoir which is one or two miles away. The story was two young guys who are probably in their early 20s, went to swimming after a hot working day in the summer, and both of them drowned and died. I am guessing they were probably my dad’s age or slightly younger. I have 2 elder brothers, we played in the water sometimes, but not at the big water reservoir. We played at the brooks in front of our house, and also a small pond in which we can stand without swimming. Only one of my brothers, my little big brother (who is 2 years older than me), learned or taught himself how to swim.
I first learned to swim myself after college, mostly at swimming pools, when I was working in Shanghai. I did learned a few things from other people, here and there. But the most important part is I practice myself, either in the swimming pool, or when I get a chance, in the water park. But my swimming skills were not that great, and my stamina for swimming is not that great either. That lasted for long time, until this summer, as I decided to swim more or longer distances. I think in the past, I usually swim probably 6 laps or 300 yards at the J indoor lap pool. This year, I set my goal higher, and I usually swim 600 yards. I also swam more at the outdoor pool when possible. Keep in mind I talked about the J or JCC here and there, and as you may be able to tell I am a fan of the J.
Also, note I paused swimming for quite a while before this summer. But now I am back.
This summer, at the J outdoor pool, once a boy asked me how to swim. He probably thought that I am a good or a decent swimmer because I was doing lap swimming. I never expected that but it’s definitely made my day as I like to share my knowledge with other people, especially younger folks. I think the boy is 11 years old, just like my younger daughter. Both my girls know how to swim, but they are not big fans of swimming as their dad 🙂
Now I am back to the indoor swimming, and I hope to stick to it until next summer.