Why Every Student Should Try Open Swim

Having been a lifeguard for most of the summers of my life, I have grown familiar with the regular happenings at a pool. One thing that’s common at almost every pool is open swim. I was surprised when one of my housemates told me they had never heard of open swim and didn’t know what it was. For anyone else who might’ve seen it listed on the pool schedule but isn’t sure what it means, let me explain. Open swim, unlike lane swimming, does not require a swimmer to stay in their section of the pool swimming laps. During this time, most of the lane dividers are removed, and floaties, toys, and other recreational items are introduced. For that hour, swimmers can float around, play, or just do whatever they feel like in the water. While open swim is often directed towards children and families, I have learned it is a great opportunity for students as well. Even though I’m a strong swimmer, lane swimming makes me nervous. I’m always worried about getting in the way of the more experienced swimmers who take it seriously. On top of that, I don’t have any of my proper swim gear from my lifeguarding days as it’s all back at home. Luckily, neither of these things are an issue during open swim. All you need is a bathing suit, some deck shoes, and a towel and you’re ready to go!

My friends and I attended our first open swim towards the end of exam season last semester. Not only was it a great study break, but I felt much calmer heading back to work. And it wasn’t just a coincidence. Swimming for as little as 20 minutes has been shown to improve mood, sleep, and anxiety. This is something that all students can benefit from, especially during midterms, which can be an incredibly stressful time. Aside from mental benefits, swimming is great exercise; it's good for muscle building and cardiovascular health. Since it’s a full-body workout, you can be sure that your entire body is getting the benefits of the exercise. If you aren’t comfortable going to the gym or are just trying to get into exercising, swimming is a great way to do it. More than its health benefits, one of the best parts of swimming is going to the new sauna to warm up afterwards! I had never used the pool at St. FX prior to this year and I believe I have been missing out.

Open swim takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7-8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-3pm. You can also check out the Alumni Aquatic Centre website for more information regarding aquatics, including aquafit and lane swims.