Swimming in L.A.

are they're swimming lessons?

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:44:19 -0700

http://swimminginla.tumblr.com/post/20915535042/where-are-swimming-lessons-given

“Of all the magnificent houses in the Los Angeles-area for...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:07:00 -0700

“Of all the magnificent houses in the Los Angeles-area for sale right now, La Villa Contenta in Malibu is a front-runner for the grandest indoor pool.”

(via LA Times: Grandest pool around? Malibu has the one to beat)

Definitely click through to check out the slideshow on this one. It’s beyond crazy - the property appears to have at least three or four pools! Oh, and its only $65,000 a month to rent this summer, so if you were looking for a place to crash near the beach on the cheap, see if you might be able to land the job as poolboy here…

KARL LAGERFELD’S HOMER-INSPIRED POOLSIDE MURAL AT HOTEL...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:02:00 -0700

KARL LAGERFELD’S HOMER-INSPIRED POOLSIDE MURAL AT HOTEL METROPOLE

via telegraph.co.uk: “If you have a penchant for Homeric poems, Chanel or swimming - or preferably all three, then book your summer break at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo where the eclectic trio have pooled for a mural-style installation.

Lagerfeld, head designer and creative director for Chanel, was chosen by the hotel - which won “Best Hotel in the World 2010” - to create a unique poolside piece, named “Ulysses’ Journey around the Mediterranean Sea”, inspired by Homer’s epics: the Iliad and the Odyssey.”

I realize this is pretty silly (togas in Greece?!) and Monte Carlo is a long way from SoCal, but I had to post it because it really does feature more than a few of my favorite things: swimming, classics and fashion. I especially love that a Michelin-starred restaurant called ‘Odyssey’ is also in the works. Oh how far we’ve come from the sufferings of the wily wanderer!!

(via Daily Express: Real-life mermaid with a £10,000 tail she...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:14:00 -0700

(via Daily Express: Real-life mermaid with a £10,000 tail she uses to swim with sharks)

All I can say is, of course this girl and her tail are from LA!! It may also be worth noting that, contrary to the headline, she is not actually a ‘real life’ mermaid - I’d say she is more like a Hollywood fantasy. Well, at least she is promoting ocean conservation!

Between the brouhaha of the winter holidays and the end of the...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:36:00 -0700

Between the brouhaha of the winter holidays and the end of the school year is that coveted halfway point known as spring break. To gear up for that last lap of the academic year, grab the kids and significant others and go recharge at some posh pools.

(via LA Times: Swimming pools that hit the spot on spring break)

Some unique new options to explore here - let’s hope the warm weather comes back to stay soon!

CURBED LA MAP: 17 OF LA’S AWESOMEST AND DOUCHIEST POOLS...

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:08:00 -0800

CURBED LA MAP: 17 OF LA’S AWESOMEST AND DOUCHIEST POOLS AND SWIM SPOTS

It’s been awhile since I last posted a pool review, and despite the fact that it’s mid-winter, all this beautiful Southland weather has me feeling both guilty and inspired. I’ve therefore decided to split the difference, and post a link to Curbed LA’s map from last summer, wherein local swim spots are ranked by their difficulty to access, and, in turn, by the relative factor of douche or awesomeness displayed at each.

There’s something for everyone here, including a few places previously mentioned on this blog, as well as a number of pools I’m keen to explore further and report back to y’all on in upcoming installments, so stay tuned. Airbnb in Alhambra, anyone??

KENDRICK LAMAR - SWIMMING POOLS (DRANK) This is a newish rapper...

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:43:00 -0800

KENDRICK LAMAR - SWIMMING POOLS (DRANK)

This is a newish rapper from LA that all the young whippersnappers really like right now. I think the song is just alright, but I do like the idea of getting “a swimming pool full of liquor then you dive in it,” as he says in the hook. I know it’s only a metaphor for getting really wasted, but I still they wish they would’ve dramatized this in the video! Well, at least they got a pool in there…

A sweet story from the LA Times “L.A. Affairs”...

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:34:36 -0800

A sweet story from the LA Times “L.A. Affairs” section called “A Moment of Connection Across Pool Lanes” chronicles author Tito Morales’ meeting of his soul-mate at the UCLA Sunset Canyon swimming pool back in 1981.

It’s inspiring to know that love really does happen in this city, and what more perfect place is there to fall in love in LA than in the swimming pool?

Awwwwww.

nevver: 365 Days of Hand Lettering Truth.

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:53:48 -0800

nevver:

365 Days of Hand Lettering

Truth.

Swim vote ( Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / November...

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:34:01 -0800

Swim vote

( Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / November 6, 2012 )

Voters cast their ballots as swimmers take laps at Echo Park Pool in Los Angeles.

How cool is this? Only in LA! Happy election day, Angelinos!!

LA Times: "It's only natural: the quest for chemical-free swimming pools"

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 13:58:00 -0700

LA Times: "It's only natural: the quest for chemical-free swimming pools":

This article took me back…When I was a kid we had a man-made ‘pond’ in our backyard and in the summer my dad would clean it out and chlorinate it so we could swim in it. If only we’d had bio-pools back then!

No matter where you are swimming this weekend in the southland, I hope you are staying cool!

FLAVORPILL: Gravity-Defying Pools That Take Swimming to New Heights

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:20:00 -0700

FLAVORPILL: Gravity-Defying Pools That Take Swimming to New Heights:

OMG is all I can say about these pools. While many don’t appear to actually exist yet, there are plenty that will drop your jaw. Seems like most are in Asia, and sadly there is nothing yet like this in LA (why?), but we can still be inspired! Clearly I have lots to add to my ‘to-visit’ list. Behold and be amazed…

FITSUGAR: OLYMPIC-INSPIRED MINI TRIATHLON GYM WORKOUT

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:17:00 -0700

FITSUGAR: OLYMPIC-INSPIRED MINI TRIATHLON GYM WORKOUT:

OK, so I now the Olympics are over (sad face), but here is a great way to keep their inspiring momentum going! Ric and tried this mini-triathlon workout about a week ago and we loved it (except for the part where you only have 3 minutes to get out of a sopping wet bathing suit and into sneakers for the bike ride). It’s quick and fun and you will definitely get your sweat on! It’s also a great first step toward doing the real thing…I will keep you posted on my progress toward that goal : )

I would like to join a swim team; but would i have to take a certain class before joining? How much would i have to pay when joining a swim team?

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:09:40 -0700

There are lots of swim teams you can join around town, for not too much money! Most teams make you try out or take some kind of swim test at first to determine your ability level. Your age and where you live will also be a factor in finding the right team for you.

I would start by checking out the City of LA’s aquatics program website, where you can find info about competitive novice teams (most public neighborhood pools have them):

http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/aquatic.htm#usteams

If you want something more high-powered check out Los Angeles Swim Club, or search these websites, where you can enter your personal info and find a team:

www.usaswimming.org

www.socalswim.org

Happy hunting!

theechola: At the Echo 8/29!...

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:21:27 -0700

theechola:

At the Echo 8/29! jamz.

http://www.ticketfly.com/event/146007/

thechemicalbrkfst:

Poolside - Only Everything

Great new daytime disco tunes, and they’re from LA too! How appropriate.

LA Times book review: 'Swimming Studies' by Leanne Shapton

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:05:03 -0700

LA Times book review: 'Swimming Studies' by Leanne Shapton:

Dang! Yet another book has come out about swimming, this time from the mega-hip artist, illustrator, editor, author and apparently near-Olympic swimmer, Leanne Shapton. It is part memoir, part philosophical meditation on all things aquatic, and is interspersed with her art and photos of her swim suit collection, among other things. I definitely intend to get my hands on this. While I have certainly never been that good a swimmer, I see something of myself in her: We are about the same age, and I share her desire to inahbit and experience the water in as many ways and places possible.

Anyway, click through to read Carolyn Kellogg’s review, click here to read Dwight Garner’s review in the NY Times, or click here to read an essay by Shapton called ‘No Lifeguard on Duty’ (also from the NY Times) to get a taste of her style…

'COACH OF THE YEAR': A film by swimmers for swimmers

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:03:21 -0700

'COACH OF THE YEAR': A film by swimmers for swimmers:

Hey readers! Click through to learn more about an independent film currently in production called ‘Coach of the Year’. Based on a true story, it’s a classic underdog tale of a kids’ swim team with the drive to win, but without a pool to practice in. Director/swim coach Dave Stott hopes that with this film we will inspire kids all over the country to learn to swim safely. Great goal, fun project - I can’t wait to see the final cut!

You can lend your support in a variety of creative ways outlined on their blog: they have a kickstarter page, they are casting extras and swim teams to participate in their shoot (in Virginia in August) AND they are having a contest to find the real ’Coach of the Year’ out there and give him a cameo role in the film. They’re accepting video submissions until JULY 28th. So hop to it!

YEAH!! Love these nevver: Let the games begin

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:11:49 -0700

YEAH!! Love these

nevver:

Let the games begin

Is there bike parking at Expo/Swim Stadium?

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 23:01:07 -0700

You know, that is a good question, especially since I’ve been riding my bike to the Cheviot Hills pool lately (a post to come soon on that).

Honestly though, I am certain there must be bike racks somewhere near the Swim Stadium, because its in the middle of Exposition Park.

If nothing else, there is a wrought-iron fence lining the parking lot on the SW side of the stadium where you can probably rig up your bike.

Hope this helps, let me know what you discover if you go!

NYT: Delineating the Perfect Swim Stroke

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:07:29 -0700

NYT: Delineating the Perfect Swim Stroke:

So do you scull or paddle?

I admit I am more of a paddler. Apparently we are making a comeback!