Welcome Summer and the first Saturday of the season!
I grew up a pool rat. My father managed a number of town pools and swim clubs in Northern New Jersey from the early1960s through the late 70s during the months when he wasn’t teaching and coaching. His summer job.
My family loved pool season when we’d spend sun-filled days swimming and diving for hours on end. My mother introduced my sister and I to synchronized swimming more commonly known as Water Ballet back then.
Each summer, the swim club would put on an elaborate water show complete with clown divers, elegant costumes with swimming set to musical themes highlighted with dramatic lighting. As kids, my late sister and I started out with the youngest group of aquatic dancers who were relegated to the shallow ends of the pool for our performances. Later, we’d graduate to small groups and duets in greater depths.
For a long time, my family even had a backyard family pool after my dad no longer managed swim clubs with his retirement from teaching. When I was old enough I became a life guard complete with Water Safety Instructor credentials and that became my summer job for several summers. Those swim club days sill hold a very special place in my memories.
When Rich and I decided to move to Georgia, I wanted a place that offered a pool with an aquatic community. In 2020, we happened upon one in Southeast Georgia, not far from the Florida border. I was thrilled to discover that a water aerobics program was offered. Although the pandemic had limited many activities, because this was held outdoors, the program had continued although limited in attendance. I was put on a Wait List and soon after, I found myself meeting many new friends while enjoying a great workout.
The Mermaids of Osprey Cove, as we are called, were, and still are, an important lifeline to my social life. After Rich passed, being in that water was very therapeutic. It got me out of the house and among a network of friends, in and out of the pool.
When I purchased my cabin in the woods of Central Florida , and decided to live here for the past half year, I knew I’d miss that pool time. Although this house is considered lakefront, I’m not sure I’d swim in it and as it gets hot early here and the heat lasts a long time, I knew I’d need some sort of water feature for aquatic workouts.
For over 25 years I’ve longed for a swim-in-place spa, but never had the right location for one. That changed with this location. Last Monday, the day after returning from my mom’s Memorial Service in New York, a beautiful spa was delivered by Swim Spa Manufacturers out of Clearwater, Florida after waiting for the concrete slab to cure for nearly a month.
I can’t wait to start my new work out routine while creating a tropical vibe with fencing and landscaping. It’s just what is needed now on so many levels. I know that if my parents, siblings, and Rich, are watching they are smiling from a big lifeguard station from above.
Happy First weekend of summer. May it be filled with light, laughter and Healing Waters.
