Swimming in Nature

Each year about 31% of the US population over the age of 16, swim in oceans, lakes and rivers.

Yet, despite such low percentage, a quintessential image of an American summer is children swimming and playing in a lake. In fact, the top swim city in the US measured by the number of active swimmers, accessible pools and top-level swimmers, is Ann Arbor, built along the banks of the Huron River in Michigan.

As more people concentrate in large cities, where can we swim? Is it getting easier to find pools and swimming lessons? Can the refreshing feeling of a morning swim have a positive impact on our work day, and our social life?

Today, I talk to Sophia Elniff, designer of natural pools for Total Habitat—the man-made equivalent to a lake—about building aquatic ecosystems. I also talk to avid swimmers in New York City: Caroline Friedman, clinical psychologist, journalist Tom Downey. They share the challenges of finding places to swim in the city, and the great joys of finding them. And lastly, my parents from Argentina, both avid swimmers, talk about why swimming strengthens bonds across family generations.