Zdzisława Pachom is not ashamed to talk about her age, because she became an athlete after retiring. She improves her swimming times and wins gold medals in her age category at competitions. She is 66 and was persuaded to take up competitive swimming together by her sister, who is five years older and lives in Polkowice. That is where Zdzisława joined the Masters swimming club.
“Instead of spending money on medicines and doctors, we swim,” says the retiree. “I met many women in the club who were extremely overweight. One of my friends weighed over 100 kg. In two years, she not only lost the excess weight but also began winning medals at swimming competitions.”
The old pool offered attractive discounts only for children
Zdzisława did not join the Bolesławiec Masters club. She chose Polkowice because it was cheaper for her. She trained there for two weeks while staying with her sister, then returned to Bolesławiec for two weeks. The old pool was not only too small for her; individual admission was also too expensive.
“The monthly membership fee for retirees in Polkowice is PLN 30,” says Zdzisława. “We swim in a large pool at a school. For this price, we have pool access every morning for an hour and a half, water gymnastics and exercises with a trainer. Members of the Bolesławiec Masters club pay a PLN 20 membership fee, have no trainer and additionally had to pay PLN 4 for each pool entry.”
Without club membership, individual admission to the Bolesławiec pool cost the retiree PLN 6.50 for 45 minutes (a discount for people over 65). Only children received attractive discounts.
“To stay in shape before competitions, you need to exercise every day, at least three times a week. That is a considerable expense,” says Zdzisława. “I hope the new pool will be not only larger but also cheaper for older people.”
Orka – five zlotys per hour for retirees
The new water park has a more flexible price list. On weekdays, from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m., retirees over 65 will pay only PLN 5 per hour. Discounts are also available for pupils, students and children up to six years old.
The president of the Masters club in Bolesławiec, Dorota Bernat, was asked about city funding for the club and the possibility of cooperating with the new park’s director. She says she is optimistic.
“I do not complain about our cooperation with the city,” says Bernat. “Of course, we do not have the opportunities available in Polkowice. That municipality is simply wealthier. There are also many sponsors there who fund clubs, and it is difficult to compare Polkowice with Bolesławiec. We will stay in contact with the director of Orka, who is open to our cooperation proposals. Naturally, we would like to receive the greatest possible discounts for our active club members.”
Robert Tomczyk, the water park’s director, confirms his willingness to cooperate. “I invite members of the Bolesławiec Masters club to talks,” he says. “I am open and will certainly help anyone who wants to actively participate in sport.”
Dorota Bernat recalls a trip abroad to Germany, where one of the pools she visited heated the water specifically for retirees.
“Older people have poor circulation, so warmer water is recommended for them,” explains Dorota Bernat, describing how German retirees are cared for. “During special hours for older people, the pool water was heated to 24°C. I dream of such care for older people in our country.”
The president of the Bolesławiec Masters club also believes that swimming is the best form of recreation for older people. “It is the only non-collision sport that activates all the muscles and improves blood circulation in the brain,” says Bernat. “Our society is aging, while at the same time the length of our working lives is increasing. We need to be healthy. Swimming is the best way to achieve that.”
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)
Photographs taken on the day the pool opened
