Swimming: Making Waves
From a Baltimore kid's first laps to the ruins of Sutro Baths, these are the pools, springs, and swimming holes where America learned to swim — and swam to glory.
15 narrated stories — read them here, or hear them all in the app.
Baltimore
Before the Medals, the Laps
How Baltimore training shaped Michael Phelps before Olympic history followed.
Dover
From Dover Lanes to Olympic Greatness
How Jenny Thompson carried a Dover beginning onto the world stage.
Irvine
Jessica Hardy and the Long Swim Back
A swimmer’s Irvine-linked path from setback to Olympic gold.
Stafford County
The Backstroke That Put Stafford on the Olympic Map
How Jeff Rouse made the 100-meter backstroke Stafford County’s signature race.
Clarke Memorial Swim Center
How a Walnut Creek Pool Shaped Artistic Swimming
At Heather Farm, a public pool became the heart of an elegant, demanding sport.
The Big Pool
A Pool Big Enough for a Plains Town’s Pride
How Garden City turned summer relief into a civic landmark.
Sunlite Pool at Coney Island
The Pool That Made Summer Feel Official
How Sunlite Pool turned scale and routine into a Cincinnati childhood ritual.
Sutro Baths
Where the Ocean Outbuilt the Bathhouse
A grand public dream on the Pacific met the patient force of the sea.
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum
Where Bathhouse Row Went Grand
A lavish bathhouse became the best window into Hot Springs bathing culture.
Cascade Falls
Where Winter Loses Its Nerve
How warm spring water keeps a beloved swimming hole inviting all year.
Warm Springs Pools
How Jefferson Helped Make the Pools Famous
A warm spring, a late-life visit, and a name that stuck.
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
Where a Swimming Hole Became a Cause
Clear water, rare fish, and the local push to keep Turkey Creek protected.
Barton Springs Pool
Where Austin Swims With the Springs
A pool shaped by springs, public land, and fierce local care.
Barton Springs Pool
Where Austin Swims for Real
A spring-fed pool where casual dips and serious training share the same cold water.
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
Where the Water Stayed Cool
A spring’s steady chill turned a local swimming hole into a lasting public place.
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