{"id":6676,"date":"2020-06-22T09:39:23","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T09:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/dutch\/?p=6676"},"modified":"2020-06-22T09:39:23","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T09:39:23","slug":"whats-a-dutch-zwembad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/dutch\/whats-a-dutch-zwembad\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s a Dutch Zwembad?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever since I moved away from the Netherlands, there have been things I’ve missed from my home country. Not only foods, like\u00a0stroopwafels\u00a0<\/em>and good\u00a0patat<\/em>, but also places to go and see. This morning, I really felt like going to a zwembad\u00a0<\/em>(public pool, also refers to just a “pool”)<\/strong>. Unlike in the United States, when the Dutch refer to a zwembad<\/em>, we usually don’t mean the odd-shaped hole filled with water in your backyard, but an actual business that usually has multiple pools to accommodate all kinds of zwemmers\u00a0<\/em>(swimmers). They’re a pretty big deal in the Netherlands, let’s take a small dive into Dutch\u00a0zwembaden<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Binnenbad, buitenbad, recreatiebad, kinderbad<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The binnenbad<\/em> in a zwembad<\/em> in Ginsterveld (Image by Beeldbank Ardoer at Flickr.com under license CC BY SA 2.0).<\/p><\/div>\n

A\u00a0zwembad\u00a0<\/em>usually has multiple\u00a0baden\u00a0<\/em>(pools). Most have a\u00a0binnenbad\u00a0<\/em>(inside pool)<\/strong> that is warmer than a regular pool for swimming\u00a0baantjes\u00a0<\/em>(laps), is odd-shaped with more decoration, a\u00a0bubbelbad\u00a0<\/em>(whirlpool),\u00a0stromingen\u00a0<\/em>(streams) and maybe even a glijbaan\u00a0<\/em>(slide). I greatly enjoyed this recreatiebad <\/em>(recreation pool)<\/strong> as a kid!<\/p>\n

These days, I am more interested in the\u00a0wedstrijdbad\u00a0<\/em>(competition pool)<\/strong>. Like its name suggests, this is where people test their skill against competitors in tournaments. However, when no training or tournament is going on, these are open for the public too,\u00a0om baantjes te trekken\u00a0<\/em>(do laps). That’s what I define as fun these days! How the times have changed… These\u00a0wedstrijdbaden\u00a0<\/em>are usually colder and deeper than the recreatiebad.\u00a0<\/em>Since they are deeper, this is also where you would find\u00a0springplanken\u00a0<\/em>(diving boards).<\/p>\n

Then, sometimes, a\u00a0zwembad\u00a0<\/em>also has a\u00a0buitenbad\u00a0<\/em>(outdoor pool).\u00a0<\/strong>These can be specced with another\u00a0glijbaan\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0springplanken<\/em>. Often times, there is also a\u00a0ligweide\u00a0<\/em>(“laying meadow”, a sunbathing area) where you can enjoy the few amazing days of sunshine in the Netherlands!<\/p>\n

In general, it is not required to wear a\u00a0badmuts\u00a0<\/em>(bathing cap). Though some\u00a0zwembaden\u00a0<\/em>might require it.<\/p>\n

Zwemdiploma’s<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n
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A girl with the 20,000th zwemdiploma<\/em> in August 1950 (Image by Ben van Meerendonk \/ AHF, uploaded by IISG at Flickr.com under license CC BY SA 2.0)<\/p><\/div>\n

Zwembaden <\/i>are places of societal significance. It’s where the Dutch get their\u00a0zwemlessen <\/em>(swimming lessons)<\/strong> and\u00a0zwemdiploma\u00a0<\/em>(swimming certificate)<\/strong> and usually learn how to swim. The\u00a0zwem-ABC<\/em><\/strong>, the name of all three\u00a0zwemdiploma’s\u00a0<\/em>together, is a nationally recognized certificate given to children once they pass the swimming tests. These are focused on learning how to swim and\u00a0zwemveiligheid\u00a0<\/em>(swim safety)<\/strong>. After all, a country with so much water needs people that know what to do if they accidentally fall into it! The\u00a0zwemdiploma’s\u00a0<\/em>are a pretty fascinating process, which warrant their own post, actually. But\u00a0zwembaden\u00a0<\/em>are where you get yours!<\/p>\n

Patat!<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Image by Franklin Heijnen at Flickr.com under license CC BY SA 2.0<\/p><\/div>\n

Zwemmen\u00a0<\/em>is fun and all, but the best thing after zwemmen <\/em>is, of course,\u00a0patat<\/em>! Some fatty potato sticks mixed with a bit of\u00a0zwembadwatersmaak\u00a0<\/em>(pool water taste)<\/strong>… Believe it or not, it gives me some nostalgic vibes.<\/p>\n

And the nice thing is that many zwembaden <\/em>have a\u00a0snackbar\u00a0<\/em>(snack bar)<\/strong> with all kinds of foods, including\u00a0patat\u00a0<\/em>and other typical things you can get there<\/a>. So if you get hungry of all the swimming… Don’t worry, the\u00a0zwembad\u00a0<\/em>has got you covered!<\/p>\n

And after your fun swimming experience, jump under the\u00a0douche\u00a0<\/em>(shower), change in the\u00a0kleedkamers\u00a0<\/em>(changing rooms) and look back on a great day in a Dutch\u00a0zwembad<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Have you been to a Dutch\u00a0zwembad\u00a0<\/em>before? How was the experience for you? Let me know in the comments below!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Ever since I moved away from the Netherlands, there have been things I’ve missed from my home country. Not only foods, like\u00a0stroopwafels\u00a0and good\u00a0patat, but also places to go and see. This morning, I really felt like going to a zwembad\u00a0(public pool, also refers to just a “pool”). Unlike in the United States, when the Dutch…<\/p>\n

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