Korean Job Discussion Forums

[conbon78]

Ok...so I've lived here for about 2 years and there is one thing that has always bothered me...

Where do triathletes swim? For practice? Training?

I've heard that triathlons are actually really big in Korea and I know there is the Seoul Synergy group that competes, but I have no idea where these people practice. When I go to the pool, I'm trying to avoid hitting the adjummas that are either standing at the end of the lane or attempting (very poorly) to do the stupid butterfly.

The reason that I wonder is because I used to compete in triathlons in the US and I'm hoping to train for another one this year. Any ideas on this topic would be great. Thanks!

[Ethan Allen Hawley]

Yeah, finding the right time to swim when there is actually space to do so is the hardest part. If you cannot find a time available in your nearest pool, and, if you are in a bigger city, then you may be able to find another pool with better times and more space. It will, however, probably take a bit of experimenting, and getting to know where is good to swim and when. It's very much knowledge by trial and error.

I know some Korean triathletes in the city where I live who drive across town to go to the biggest pool in the city, even though there's one in the very suburb where they live and work. The one they go to is not actually longer because the lanes are only ever set up width-wise in the 50 meter pool, but, it does mean that there is more space to swim in each individual lane, and, the deeper end keeps the less confident swimmers away.

I also look for opportunities to go to that pool, but more commonly go to the nearest department store, which costs a bit more than most other pools in town, but then again it also includes a sauna, a steam room, and use of towels and scrubby-clothes, and has restaurants just downstairs (and I like to eat straight after training). It can be crowded, but I find that when I start swimming and get into a rhythm, people generally get to moving to another lane or making space anyway.

The easiest way to find out where pools are is calling the Tourist Information Service, and asking them to check for you. Dial your local area code, and then 1330.

Be sure to be specific about all the information you want (ie. just name and location of the pool, or cost, length, opening hours, number of lanes available for 'free swimming' at the hour you'll be there, and bus number to get there?), and then give them your number and let them call you back. They're wonderful - if the English language speaker is there when you call - and if you're patient with the emergent English language 'speaker' when they are there!