World’s Deepest Swimming Pool Opens in Poland

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. open (one’s) doors / ˈoʊ pən dɔrz / (idiom) – to open for business
    Example:

    This theme park opened its doors five years ago.


  2. impression / ɪmˈprɛʃ ən / (n) – an image or appearance of something
    Example:

    The lights and sound gave the audience the impression of being in the jungle.


  3. seasoned / ˈsi zənd / (adj) – having a lot of experience with something
    Example:

    She’s a seasoned actress who has appeared in more than 90 movies.


  4. inauguration / ɪnˌɔ gyəˈreɪ ʃən / (n) – a ceremony to mark the opening or beginning of something
    Example:

    Students are encouraged to attend the inauguration of the university museum next week.


  5. freediver / friˈdaɪ vər / (n) – someone who dives without using any breathing equipment
    Example:

    Some freedivers can hold their breaths for 10 minutes.


Article

Read the text below.

The world’s deepest swimming pool, called DeepSpot, has opened its doors to divers in Poland.


DeepSpot has a depth of approximately 45 meters. It holds 8,000 cubic meters of water, which is equivalent to 27 Olympic-size swimming pools. It has crystal-clear water that gives divers the impression of floating in space. DeepSpot is a temperature-controlled pool, so divers do not need wetsuits to keep themselves warm.


The pool opened in late November last year to only about a dozen guests. Among them were eight seasoned divers. A 39-year-old diving instructor who attended DeepSpot’s inauguration said that it is a good place to safely learn how to dive before trying it in the actual ocean.


The pool was built as a training ground for scuba diving, and it will be used by firefighters and members of the Polish army. It has a variety of depths to allow people to practice diving in different conditions.


DeepSpot features artificial underwater caves, as well as a shipwreck replica, that can be explored. In addition to these, DeepSpot also has a restaurant, several conference rooms, and an underwater tunnel where guests can watch the divers.


Unlike other pools, DeepSpot can accept visitors during the pandemic because it is considered a training center. The venue’s website says that it is open to everyone, including beginners and freedivers.


Aerotunel, the company that created DeepSpot, said that building a pool so deep presented technological challenges. They had to set up an advanced filtration system just to keep the water crystal clear. The pool’s construction lasted two years and cost more than $10 million.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think it’s safe to allow visitors into the training center during the pandemic? Why or why not?
• Do you think DeepSpot should allow children or inexperienced divers into its training center? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Do you think diving is a good hobby? Why or why not?
• In your opinion, which is a better place to learn how to dive: a pool or the ocean? Why?