The Samppalinna Swimming Stadium

The swimming season was officially opened in May 13th, when Samppalinna Swimming Stadium opened its doors. This summer you might want to swim-it like there's no tomorrow, because next year the stadium will be closed due to renovations.

To this couple Samppalinna has already offered a lot of amusement during last two weeks: Wife got a bracelet for the duty, with which it's easy to skip (the cashier), hop (through the gate equipped with an electronic eye) and swim for your life before the sun is even up. The Stadium opens at 6 am for early birds, so Wife makes it home refreshed by urea-free water before Baby-Bear has woken up.

Husband was lured into this luxury last weekend and together we found the long lost beautiful grass area on the hill top right next to the pools. We are decisive to have picnic-accessories next time we're swimming together and to sit down a bit further from the noise and concrete levels. It's also quite easy to visit Samppalinna with a stroller, so one doesn't need to get a babysitter to have a day filled with chlorite smell.

The stadium consists of a large pool (50 meters in length) with diving platforms, and of a children's pool with a slide. There's plenty of room to sunbathe or get outdoorsy with games like petanque in Samppalinna. Just remember to look up, climb the hill and you're in a green paradise. There's a kiosk by the pool, of course. You do need your daily portion of ice cream and coffee, don't you? (and mince pies! yells Wife to Husbands ear.)

The dressing rooms are big and well-kept. We would advice you to use slippers, though. Especially in the morning the stadium is a very social venue, but a fungus is a bit too codependent a friend to make. A steaming hot sauna is not for everyone, so there are two: the other one is for heavy-users, the other for people like Wife who don't need to make a statement, as she puts it. Mind you, stepping in a sauna means covering your own ass, so please take with a small towel. The stadium doesn't provide disposable covers. You also need your own shower gel and shampoo. For any person hygienic the, um, restroom facilities present a discomforting problem - no hand soap. None whatsoever. You might want to consider a desinfective spray or lotion of your own to carry with you.

Yet to be experienced, monday mornings are supposed to be fun at Samppalinna (at least if the greensleeves at the dressing room aren't taking Wife on a ride): at 7 am for twice the swimming fee you can participate in water aerobics.

Facts:

• Students 3 euros
• Open from 6 am on weekdays, from 8 am on weekends
• Avert standing in line with a bracelet (to buy one costs you 7 euros)
• Remember to always have a 50 cnt coin with you to access the lockers!