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Secret Berlin Column
At Weissensee lake. © visitBerlin, Photo: Philip Koschel
Relaxing at Schlachtensee lake. © visumate, Photo: Thomas Kakareko
Swimming Rules Hitting the pool on a hot day helps keep a cool head and the energies flowing – thus staying near or in water is sound advice during the summer months in the city, both for residents and visitors. TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI
Berlin, which can heat up like an oven on many an August day, thankfully features a number of recreational open-air pools sprinkled all across town. As afternoons can be busy, the seasoned water enthusiast enjoys a cool dip in the morning hours, when the water is fresh and the personnel is relaxed. There is no doubt that German pool attendants will always find a rule to point out, so make sure you book your ticket, store away your bag safely in a locker and keep out of the fast lane (that is, if you don’t consider yourself a fast swimmer). As many others, I had lost out on the most rewarding urban summer activity over the pandemic years, and this spring featured a much belated comeback. At my first outdoor dip, I made the acquaintance of a phenomenon which was new to me: There is now a lane officially dedicated to people who consider themselves “fast swimmers” at my local pool. On detecting the sign, my lips formed a soundless “Oh”, as I dutifully scanned the pool for another unoccupied lane. However, there was none. Now, I obviously can’t blame people who have been quicker to get up and rush to the poolside than me, but I do admit I dislike the feeling of swimmers in hot (or in this case, cold) pursuit, literally on my heels, prone to splashy overtaking manoeuvres, etcetera. What was to be done? 88
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Issue 108
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August 2023
I thought to myself – why not use the as yet unoccupied fast lane for as long as nobody else claims it? And into the blissful cool water I went, breathing deeply and starting my meditative strokes, all by myself and in my own rhythm. What a relief, I thought, that this is again possible – albeit at a whopping price of € 5,50. No matter the inflation, a swim is always worth it – immersed in cool water and surrounded by trees and green, you soon can truly forget that you are in the middle of a capital. Bliss sometimes is a matter of minutes, and after only a few lengths, each time my head went to the surface I could spot a figure slowly approaching the sign at the head of my illegally conquered lane, and starting to lay out mysterious items and devices at its feet. It was the equivalent of a very serious sport cyclist stepping into gear. So this, I mused, is what an official fast swimmer looks like. Reaching the end of the lane, I swiftly dragged myself out of the water and said nonchalantly: “This is your lucky day, it’s all yours.” The alleged fast swimmer, strangely smelling of sweat already, looked up from his task a little confused. “Thanks”, said he and, considering myself undefeated, I ambled towards the hot shower – this one at least I would have all to myself.
The Badeschiff pool is part of an inner city beach bar. Photo: visumate
Photo: Coline Mattée
Cornelia Brelowski is a writer and journalist who lives in Berlin. With her main field of interest being art and design, she enjoys observing her history-laden home town in all its quirky detail and ever-changing shape and culture. Apart from writing, the author also engages in English language theatre, the art of which she learned in London.