By Emily S.
Trying to escape the heat this weekend was an adventure in itself. I gave up my Banneker Pool virginity on Saturday and had a very pleasant experience. No lines for the diving board, enough room to have underwater swimming contests and not have a human collision, and adult swim every hour for ten minutes. We even got chairs!
The mood around the water on Monday, with its glorious high of 101 degrees, was a different story altogether. Swimmers were banished from the deep end and crowded into the sides, lifeguard whistles were blasting, and there seemed to be many disgruntled swimmers. At 4:30, Walter, one of the managers, called everyone out of the water for an announcement at the north end of the pool. He first explained that the pool’s “no street clothes policy” was not only for hygienic reasons, but also to make it easier to make sure that no creepers are ogling the scantly clad patrons. If you ain’t there to swim – or watch your kids swim – then the pool ain’t for you.
And secondly, wearing underwear under a swimsuit is, as Walter said, “disgusting”. Besides being gross, it adds to the murkiness of the water, which (get ready for this) is why the deep end is closed. If the lifeguards can’t see the drains at the bottom of the pool then no one can swim there. Period. Speaking of lifeguards, he asked that patrons needed to show them more respect and follow their instructions – always a challenge at a public pool.
It was such a great announcement! I agreed whole-heartedly with everything he said. I do, however, have a few suggestions to aid Banneker in its quest for obedience.
1) Megaphones: it’s hard to tell what a blown whistle actually means
2) I would say a loudspeaker system, but I highly doubt that the city would provide the funding
3) Better signs EXPLICITLY explaining the rules. As in “POOL RULES” and “breaking these rules is grounds for eternal banishment expulsion”
In general, I enjoy the environment and ambiance at Banneker. I just want to be able to swim in the deep end and not be grossed out by the murky H2O.
The Banneker Pool is at 2500 Georgia Ave NW and is open 1 to 8 pm Monday through Wednesday and Friday and noon to 8 pm Saturday and Sunday. Closed Thursdays.
