Vince goes to a natatorium
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381837)
Rockingham, Australia
April 9, 2019 5:52pm CST
Vince (my husband) had a ‘commission’ to take photos at a ‘natatorium’. Have you ever heard of this word? We hadn’t so if you’ll like us and haven’t heard of it, it’s an indoor swimming pool in its own building. If you have heard of it, you have my permission to feel very smug.
It was a swimming carnival of sorts but purely and simply run with the purpose of having fun. There were no ‘winners’ or ‘losers’, no ‘stress’ or ‘anxiety’ but participants and lots of joy, fun and laughter. They were encouraged to do ‘bombies’ but only a few at a time and on the count of three so it was all quite safe.
The compere wore a mostly blue suit covered in flamingos and had the kids dancing and participating. At the end, he leapt in the pool with the kids.
There were boat races in little blow-up canoes with volunteers pulling the kids along if necessary. One pair paddled on the same side and turned themselves completely around before realising what they were doing. A great fun day for all.
35 people like this
36 responses
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
10 Apr 19
Thank you for teaching me a new word today and good luck to Vince. It's not possible to share those pictures is it?
3 people like this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
11 Apr 19
@JudyEv oh yes that's what I meant, if we can see it cause it might be exclusive to those who commissioned the work.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Apr 19
@louievill No, the contract stated Vince could put them on his website. Permission was gained from all the parents too, to allow the children to be photographed.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97908)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Apr 19
Sounds like a lot of fun. Guess the excitement is catching so he jumped in too.
3 people like this
. Well that sounds like a load of wet fun . . . was that a public event? My kids would love going to that!
@wolfgirl569 (135601)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Apr 19
Never heard that word. But glad everyone had a lot of fun.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
10 Apr 19
We do have natatoriums here in our city but never knew that is what they were called. Thanks for the enlightenment.
3 people like this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
9 Apr 19
It's nice to have permission to feel smug. 
.
Your title reads like the title of a children's picture book.
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Your title reads like the title of a children's picture book.2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208770)
• United States
10 Apr 19
I know the word. There is a big one at WVU...they call it the Nat! I think they called it a natatorium at my Univ also. My nephew is a swimmer. He swims for a water polo club in college and competed in HS. I went to one of his meets one time.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Apr 19
It seems the word is quite common in the US. It's not something we're involved in really so it's not surprising we hadn't heard the term.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
10 Apr 19
I don't know the word ‘natatorium’ until look up it in my dictionary.However I have no idea of what the ‘bombies’ is.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
11 Apr 19
@JudyEv Oh, I see.Thank you ! I can imagine that kids are beside themselves with joy as they are doing 'bombies'.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Apr 19
@changjiangzhibin89 They love doing it but it's best if it's controlled as they are liable to get over-excited and can start landing on each other.
1 person likes this
This one was very easy for an Italian, we call the fins of the fishes "pinne natatorie", very very easy to understand the meaning.
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Apr 19
They had a ball. Vince really enjoyed just seeing them having so much fun.
@Michellekidwell (29953)
• Sonora, California
10 Apr 19
I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it, but sounds like fun!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Apr 19
They did have a marvellous time. I think the volunteers and adults enjoyed it as well.
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
10 Apr 19
Wow. I first heard the word Natatorium when I was 22 years old. They built one near where I was living.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Apr 19
@DocAndersen Occasionally a new fancy word makes its appearance.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
11 Apr 19
@JudyEv I had never heard of it until they built the one for the Pan Am games.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
10 Apr 19
What was the occasion that they needed a photographer?.
Learnt a new word (lol)
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
11 Apr 19
@JudyEv Was it a place where those who used it had to pay?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Apr 19
@allknowing Yes, it's just a swimming pool but in its own building I guess which is why it is a natatorium.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
11 Apr 19
Awesome! And I'm happy Vince got some nice photos
1 person likes this
