Many Germans spend summer time swimming, bathing or taking care of their tans at public pools. These outdoor public pools are called Freibader and they often have sections for exercise and recreation. With respect to the pool, it might also add a section for children or even water slides.
But Germany isn’t a nation of loosely defined rules, and that is evident in how it handles the matter of swimming etiquette at its pools. Generally, it is recognized as rude to swim in the opposite direction of another swimmers in the pool. This is recognized as countercurrent swimming and it may be annoying for other swimmers, especially those who are attempting to train. Furthermore, it is customary to swim clockwise in the lane you are assigned. The only real exception to that is in pools where serious swimmers train, such as swim clubs and universities. Edelstahlpool
The very first public baths in Germany began to go up across the 19th century with industrialization. People had to clean regularly for hygiene and to steer clear of the spread of diseases. Consequently, bathing centers started to appear, and they later became the forerunners of today’s swimming pools.
In Germany, there are more than 7,000 public pools. Half them are Freibader (literally free pools). But this doesn’t suggest that they have no entrance fee, since most of these pools have a solution system.
The admission prices vary, but the typical price for per day ticket is just about 8.50 euros. In cities such as Nuremberg and Dortmund, you’ll pay more than in other areas like Hamburg or Dresden.
Swimming in rivers is remarkably popular in Germany and it is just a area of the German culture. There are many river bathing establishments referred to as Flussschwimmbad which are often surrounded by food vendors and have changing rooms and sections for different activities such as exercise swimming and water slides.
Several of those swimming pools are very famous and attract lots of visitors from abroad. The city of Freiburg, for example, is home to the oldest open-air public pool in Germany. It opened in 1842 and was originally a men’s only bathing area. However, in 1886, a women’s bathing area was established, which continues to exist until this day.
Swimming is a critical activity for Germans and it contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The nation has a comprehensive network of public pools and, oftentimes, they are well maintained. Furthermore, the swimming pool industry is booming in Germany. Consequently, how many new pools is consistently increasing and a number of them are extremely modern in design. Later on, it is expected that more and more people will swim and enjoy their time at a pool.
Santiago Magazine 