Endless Pool

My Experience with Endless Pools

For a long time, I've been curious about what it's like to swim in an endless pool, also known as a swim current pool, and whether it's truly beneficial, especially after seeing videos of swimmers in these unique pools on various social media channels. I wondered if stroking against a current would feel like just jumping on a treadmill. Frankly, I had my doubts. I got the chance to overcome these reservations last Sunday, thanks to an invitation from our club's swimmers, dear Seda and Memduh Kansuk.

Let's start by defining what an Endless Pool is. It's a system where water in the pool is propelled in one direction by a special pumping mechanism, allowing the swimmer to remain in the same spot in the pool while continuously swimming against the current. This system also enables athletes to analyze their technique using an underwater camera.

For optimal swimmer performance, the following requirements should be adjustable:

• Number and power of current pumps

• Direction of the pumps

• Pool dimensions

The pool I experienced had two 5.5 HP pumps providing the necessary flow through two different channels. When I first entered the pool, I felt the current quite strongly. The current is very powerful near the exit channels, called nozzles, and becomes less intense and more homogeneous as you move away and to the sides. You need to adjust your ideal current speed and position based on these factors. Being in front and closer to the nozzle exposes you to a stronger current in a narrower channel. Since this pool had two pumps, I found the ideal current in the middle position, at a certain distance between them. There wasn't much wave action while swimming, so breathing wasn't an issue. The current doesn't just flow from the top; it also comes from the lower sections where the stroke pulls the water. At an appropriate distance, this was satisfactory.

Besides freestyle, I also swam butterfly, backstroke, and breaststroke. All felt normal. Technical drills can also be performed quite effectively in this pool. However, this system only allows one person to swim at a time.

For winter swimming, pool insulation is necessary. Hot water collected by a solar panel on the roof can be pumped into the pool in a closed circuit with a small motor. For covering the pool, a portable, foldable system made of dark plexiglass, about 1 meter high, could be built to absorb sunlight. A pool size of approximately 3x7 meters with a depth of 1 meter is sufficient.

If you are an above-intermediate swimmer, you might want to increase the number of pumps and motor power. However, as I experienced, you can still perform very satisfying performance/aerobic workouts by using a resistance band worn around the waist and tethered to the back of the pool. This band prevents you from overcoming the current and limits your position in the pool. In this case, your feet might sink a bit, and you might need to use a pull buoy.

The large pools with powerful pumps we see on social media are designed and built with significant budgets for Olympic swimmers. However, with this simpler and more economical system, swimmers can have the opportunity to swim independently, winter or summer.

Conclusion: Overall, I can say that swim current pools are beneficial and satisfying. After experiencing a swim current pool, you get used to swimming in the correct position. If your performance isn't enough, a waist-worn resistance band can meet your needs.