Southern California has been struck with a little bit of a cold snap this week, which means a special mental test for many of the local swim teams. In this region, which is a competitive swimming hotbed, the vast majority of teams swim outside, and during Christmas week, that meant 34 degrees in Pasadena for Rose Bowl Aquatics.
Freelance photojournalist, and Rose Bowl Aquatics’ volunteer videographer, Ronen Tivony was on deck one morning to capture the practice as swimmers pushed through the frigid and steamy morning for practice.
See more of Ronen’s work on his website – 15images.com.
We lived in New Orleans for a little while when I was a kid, and my team swam at an outdoor pool. We got a cold snap during one winter and I remember everyone sitting in the hot tub in the locker room until the coaches started to get mad and yell at us, then we’d make a mad dash outside and jump in the pool. I think the temperature was probably about what it is in this video, but we had a lot more fog/steam coming off the water. I always hated doing breaststroke in those practices, since the temperature differential was pretty extreme on every stroke.
Fun times!
We train outside year round at Rice University. While we some hot days in the summer and some cold days in the winter I wouldn’t trade the fresh air, palm trees and sunshine or rain for one of those stuffy, humid, sightless indoor pools in other parts of the country. I notice a real positive energy in training outside by the athletes.
I find it just stupid how in love with outdoor pools Californians and Arizonans are. It gets too cold in the winter to swim outside and, in AZ, too hot. Just build some indoor pools, for crying out loud. UCSF has shown itself to be about the only enlightened university there.
I definetly thought this was 34 Celsius for a minute and was very confused as to why it was considered cold…
The coldest outdoor practice last year for my kids’ practice in Colorado was 4 degrees. Yes, fahrenheit. This week looks like it will get below zero. Honestly it’s worse for the coaches on deck.
HEY THATS MY TEAM!!! I’m in there!!!!! WE GO HARD
HEY THATS MY TEAM!!! I’m in there!!!!! WE GO HARD
Looks pretty fun. The damage will be done by the wind chill factor getting in & out. Get covered up as soon as you exit the water. #nevergetcold