Vulcans... to swim or not to swim?

[Asso]

There's something Italian in Canadians?

[WarpGirl]

What?

[Alelou]

EK, you mean even in late August and September, the ocean is too cold for swimming there?

I'm surprised. It seems so temperate compared to New England. The sea in Maine and NH takes my breath away (literally -- I think it's a diving reflex) most of the year, but in late August into September it's often quite balmy. That's when the baby lobsters are also floating around in great clouds.

[WarpGirl]

According to mom who spent some time in California surfing, the pacific is ALWAYS freezing. I know in PEI it's barely tolorable but then they barely get a summer at all. Unfortunately I think cold would be the biggest obstical to a Vulcan swimming. Like dear honeybee so thoughtfully pointed out in her lovely story.

[Escriba]

Wow, you guys can really make a big discussion of anything

My two cents? Muslims. More concretely, Spanish Moorish of Al-Andalus. You know, they lived here for about 800 years (and even after all that time they weren't considered Spanish by the Christians ) The point is, these guys came from the desert, from very dry places. And they built Alhambra, which probably is one of the most beautiful Spanish constructions and has water all around. It's almost a homage to water. It has fountains and water is channeled in the garden so you always hear water running. Because they loved water, they didn't have it in the desert. I'm bringing this up because T'Pol had a fountain in her house. A decorative little fountain. Which is a complete waste of water. But it's beautiful. And Vulcans appreciate beauty.

So, the point is that, even if I don't see it very probable (since Muslims weren't swimming champions either), I can understand if Vulcans have water pools. What I don't know is if Vulcans can tolerate water so well. I mean, if I'm swimming in the sea for more than fifteen minutes, my lips turn blue with cold and my skin wrinkles, so I don't want to think what could happen to the Vulcans.

On the other hand, I live next to the coast. And here we have this tradition of rowing regattas (called estropadak.) Well, some of the oarsmen don't know how to swim. I swear. They say "If the sea is so rough that it turns the boat over, I don't have any chance even if I know how to swim." So the Vulcans maybe have this logic of "I don't have to know how to swim, I only need a portable life jacket."

Great, I've done it again. I've given arguments for the both sides

[WarpGirl]

Well Escriba since you are going to be a judge, I'd be scare if you couldn't argue both sides. What I love about you're unique abilities, is that you argue both sides so very well. You're objective and clear, and it's so nice to just sit back and read. So thanks for that post it was beautiful.

[Asso]

Mh... no offence, Escriba, but if I read attentively your post, it seems to me that you are bringing grist essentially to the mill of those who don't think Vulcans swim (or, at least, in the mass and willingly).

[WarpGirl]

No she was playing Devil's Advocate for both sides.

[Asso]

Evidently not in my perception.

[Linda]

Honeybee, your point was not "fogged up". Your point was very clear! But I still disagree when you said ALL Vulcans are taught to swim. All Six billion on the planet? No, I disagree with that. Sorry.

[WarpGirl]

I don't know, it is a good survival skill to have. I think it'd be very smart for a government to set up a program to teach kids safety and survival and make it mandatory.

[Linda]

Yes, it would be nice if it was manditory that everyone learn to swim...and every boater to get a boater's driving licence like you have to get a car drivers licence, and for everyone to have to learn CPR and renew it once a year. Sigh, but try to get that across to the general public! Many people won't vote for safety measures unless they have been touched personally by tragedy. Now maybe the Vulcans would be more public spirited or dare I say "logical" about this? But I don't really think so. I think Vulcans would find it an acceptable risk not to teach every Vulcan on the planet to swim.

[WarpGirl]

Well Vulcan isn't America. I think it could happen like this, now I'm pretty sure Vulcans aren't told as children what they're going to be when they grow up. If I'm wrong let me know. So the Ministry of education makes it standard practice to teach kids how to swim in case they end up joining the space program or go to colonize other worlds.

[Linda]

You are not wrong, Warpgirl! Your opinion is just as valid as mine, Dear! I just have a different opinion.

[WarpGirl]

Oh I know, I was just imagining the Vulcan educational system. I mean Gym can't just be Kahs-Whan training and Kal'i'fee training can it?