On a warm spring day last week, Jane Biek gracefully glided through the outdoor lap pool, making brisk laps look leisurely.
She’s what you’d call an avid swimmer, swimming at least 50 miles a year, no matter the season. She’s just the type to truly enjoy the first few weeks of the lap pool.
We may be relishing some 80-degree days now, but the lap pool, which opened April 13, is still about 70-72 degrees. For comparison, the indoor pool is 86 degrees. While that’s a little too far south on the thermometer for the less dedicated, to Biek and the many others who couldn’t wait to jump in, it’s just all the more reason to swim harder.
“You just have to swim hard to keep warm,” she said with a smile.
There were about 20 people on hand for opening day, most of them die-hard swimming regulars, Biek said.
Biek said she’s been swimming for about 11 years now. She’s always loved the water and found a passion for fitness a little later in life after having children. Swimming combines those two interests, she said.
So when she heard the lap pool was finally opening after such a long, cold winter, she made sure to come. She and her kids biked to opening day, following a soccer game.
Her son, Ivar Biek, 8, lounged pool-side after having a dip, too.
“It’s cool, but you get used to it,” he said.
He said he prefers the family pool (you can find him flying off the diving board when he’s here) and will be happy to barrel into it soon.
The lap pool is now open noon-5:45 p.m. as long as it is 60 degrees outside. The family pool and baby pool open May 24, the weekend of Memorial Day. The lap pool will expand its hours then as well. Check out the Aquatics webpage for more information.
