Korea doesn’t have the same type of swimming culture that we have in Australian. Australians learn to swim as very young children and we also have lessons at school. It’s quite likely that you’ll have a pool in your backyard or at least your friend does. Many apartment buildings have pool facilities and there are many public pools. Most of the population lives around the edge of Australia so there is also the access to beaches. Even if you live out on a farm it’s likely that you will go swimming in a river or dam. Although Korea is a peninsula there is not anything like the swimming culture in Australia. There are not really beaches like in Australia or any easy access to swimming areas for everyone.
Although we are right near a river I’m not allowed to swim in it. My husband said that 20 years ago people used to swim there but dams have been built and now the currents are very fast and dangerous.
Although Koreans don’t swim much, and in fact a lot of the population can’t actually swim, there is a lot of water around. I feel a sadness and a longing when I see all this water but know that I can’t go swimming in it. I always declare that I want to go swimming when I see water but Koreans friends just look at me like I’m very odd when I say that. I don’t really have any desire to swim at public pools here (there are different rules like having to wear a swimming cap) but I’d love to swim in the ocean. Does anyone actually know somewhere good to swim in the ocean in Korea that is not the crowded Busan beaches?
For nonKoreans living in Korea, do you miss swimming? Is it part of your culture? Do you swim anywhere in Korea?
How many Aussies out there had a pool party for their birthday at least once when growing up? I hated that my birthday was in July and it was always too cold for swimming.
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