Date: Saturday April 4th 2015

Participants (from 10 countries):

Team A: (Yes) Mohamed, Kamal, Sunita, Amine, Marwa , Eshaal

Team B: (No) Johny, Maria, Evgeniy, Nur , Daniel, Rick, Tata

Team C: (On the fence) Angie, Trista, Miranda

Team A Summary:

Swimming in ocean is more interesting, it is a natural environment
Some members also associated going to the ocean with good memories of their childhood, building sandcastles
The ocean offers a sense of freedom, not enclosed, not bounded. Also no rules, no separation of class etc. (at the ocean, everyone is the same)
It is healthier, the salt in the water is better for physical health and immune system, makes you more physically fit swimming in the ocean and the chlorine in the swimming pool is not good for skin
For someone that is looking to build their shape and develop more muscles, the ocean is more challenging due to currents and longer distance to swim
A swimming pool is boring, superficial, there is a sense of escapism with the ocean, no one judges you in the ocean, it’s free to go
It can get crowded at public swimming pool, no privacy and a lot of contact between people, which can make some people feel uncomfortable, especially in some cultures

Team B Summary:

If you drink too much ocean/salt water, you can die
The pool is great for inexperienced people to start in, more controlled environment (no rip tides, undercurrents etc.), usually there are lifeguards and it is safer for beginning swimmers
If you don’t live near the ocean, it can be very inconvenient to go there, and expensive, compared to a local public swimming pool
In a swimming pool, you do not have to worry about safety issues like sharks, jellyfish etc.
There is bacteria in the ocean, but a pool has chlorine to control the levels of bacteria
People that have health problems can go to a swimming pool, where it is more controlled, less risk factors
There is also flexibility and comfort with a swimming pool, size and heated water
In the ocean there can be dead animals and significant pollution
The Olympics are done in a swimming pool and they are in shape

Team C Summary:

For the two members that were “on the fence” for this debate, both Trista and Angie chose Team B. This was primarily because as inexperienced swimmers, they felt that based on the arguments made for the pool being safer, more controlled, this is where they were first start to learn how to swim. They did say that perhaps after gaining experience, they would like to try the ocean as well.

Below is the link to listen to our chat

For people who did not join the live discussion, feel free to contribute the ideas in comment blanks below.