When the summer heat strikes, Germans flock to their local pools. A lot more than 3,500 public pools are registered in Germany, meaning that each citizen is within driving distance of one. They’re often called “Freibad” (free bath), although you still have to pay admission to enter. Some are surrounded by forests, others are element of public health centers, and some even combine indoor and outdoor swimming areas. Achtformpool
The open air is central to Freibad culture, as is food and drink. Many outdoor pools are followed by large grassy lounge areas that offer space to hang out all day. There are also lots of stalls where you could get Bratwurst, fatty fries drowned in mayonnaise and ketchup, and other traditional picnic snacks.
Many pools have kids’ areas where children can swim in the safe water with other kids, and most have a playground or alternative activities for them. Most pools likewise have lifeguards, but the principles certainly are a bit distinctive from the US. Like, the lifeguards don’t appear to be as strict about keeping a close eye on young kids, especially in the deep pool. Some pools allow you to bring your personal toys, while others have a strict no-toys policy.
Some pools are designed to be much more luxurious than others. Like, Hotel Adlon in Berlin posseses an ethereal pool clad in mosaic tiling. Guests can swim in the pool for free, but non-guests will need to pay much more for usage of the rest of the cool amenities such as a Eucalyptus-infused steam room and a Finnish sauna.
In certain elements of the country, public lakes are popular swimming spots. However, it’s vital that you remember that swimming in fresh and salt waters without proper protection from bacteria could cause serious infections. If you’re about to go swimming in a river, make sure you check the water quality online when you do. Just type the name of the lake and “wasserqualitat” into a research engine to obtain the info you’re looking for.
The German saying “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechtes Kleidung” (“there is no bad weather, just poor clothing”) relates to pools as well. It’s not uncommon to see nude bodies in the changing rooms, but it’s usually nothing more than practical – getting changed requires showing bits of skin.
The recent uptick in violence at some German pools has raised concerns about their state of the nation’s pool culture, particularly for young people. Some are blaming the fights on alcohol and too little supervision, while others have accused refugee men of sexual assault. It has resulted in some German towns banning adult male asylum seekers from their public pools. But a large proportion of pools remain open, and the majority are staffed by volunteers from immigrant backgrounds to simply help refugees understand German pool culture.
Unhooking Mats 