Endless pools?

Question

I want to know how a endless pool actually works and also is there something which will calculate how far you have actually swam

Answer 1

An endless pool is a small pool that produces a current that you swim against. So it seems like it is endless. There is nothing that says how far you swam.

Answer 2

Hello,

The Endless Pool propulsion unit can move a huge amount of water -- up to 5,000 gallons a minute -- through two grills that straighten and smooth the water's flow. The result is a river-like current that is totally adjustable in speed from a gentle flow to a racer's pace by simply turning a k**b.

The swim current is generated by a 16'' propeller inside a protective housing that is driven by a hydraulic motor.

The swim current is remarkably smooth because of an ingenious return system using the pool's underwater perimeter benches. As the water flows down the center of the pool, it enters a grill in the rear bench. The side benches act as return channels that loop the water from the back to the front of the pool.

Answer 3

Endless pools, like another answerer said, is like a tredmill except they use water and jets to propel the water. If you equalize the force of trying to move your body forward with the force being put on you then you will stay in place just like a tredmill.

As for something that calculates how far you would've swam had you been in open water I wouldn't be suprised if there's a system out there that comes with such a device but it's possible to calculate the distance (and speed) yourself. First, measure the length of the endless pool. Next, set the speed on what you want to swim at and then drop a floating object (like a rubber ducky) into the water and see how fast it takes for that object to get to the other end of the pool (it will be like a stationary object if you were swimming in open water). From there you have a ratio that you can set up, you'll likely have either meters per second or feet per second and from there you can create any ratio you want like miles per hour (multiply the feet by 5280 and the second by 60 for minutes and then by 60 again for 1 hour).

Answer 4

Endless Pool is like a treadmill.  Instead of a belt, you have a large capacity pump sending a current which you swim against.

To estimate distance, you should be able to find the speed of the water flow and multiply that times the amount of time swimming.  For instance, if the water flows at 1.5 mph and you swim for half an hour, that gives a distance of 3/4 mile.