Rolf Müller loves to swim. That’s where it comes from, almost out of the water of the Kinzig. And so the message is not easy for the 74-year-old after 55 years on the board of his club SV Gelnhausen. But it has to be, says the President of the State Sports Association of Hesse: “You can expect adult swimmers to swim in two or three degrees colder water.” With a wink, he reports on his times as a young swimmer in the sixties, when he home town of Gelnhausen was dependent on natural bodies of water: “Back then we were happy when the Kinzig was around 14 or 15 degrees. That had to be enough.”
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Time has moved on, “fortunately,” says Müller. Swimmers have long since become accustomed to water temperatures between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius, and it is sometimes taken for granted as a feel-good climate. But the political situation requires reactions, also from the sport: “I think it is necessary to send a signal now because of the Russian war of aggression,” adds Müller.
“We should do without energy sources from Russia.” Hence his appeal to save energy across the board. So also where it can be uncomfortable for the sports fan. In the pool. “We are currently experiencing a similar situation with sports halls that are being converted into refugee accommodation. The swimming pools can also make their contribution.”
solid reasons
Saving energy in public and private pools run by associations? This is not a new topic when you see the wafts of fog moving towards the night sky over the outdoor pools in winter. The start of the outdoor pool season forces the discussion. Many Hessian swimming pool operators are thinking about reducing water temperatures or closing heated outdoor pools to save energy.
And for tangible reasons, less for symbolic political reasons: energy costs are constantly rising in direct and indirect connection with the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. An end to the increase is not in sight. So how to react?
An issue even before the war
In a guide from the German Society for Bathing and Swimming (DGfdB) on how to deal with an energy crisis, a reduction in pool water temperatures is recommended first, before individual attractions such as large slides or saunas and finally entire pools should be closed in further steps.
The situation is also being looked at in Frankfurt, says Boris Zielinski, managing director of the municipal baths. However, he assured that he would not give any specific recommendations for action to all of the city’s baths. Individual solutions should be sought.
Müller also relies on the inventiveness of clubs with their own bathrooms. “Before the development in Ukraine, most swimming pool operators had already thought about how they would counteract the rising energy costs.”
“Swimmers need heated pools”
Change of location to Höchst. The Höchst Swimming Club (HöSV) has almost 3,000 members. “Swimmers need heated swimming pools,” says Reinhard Friedel, deputy chairman of the association.
