Oval pool flows like a river

For more than 30 years, the Seaside Pool flowed every summer at Tokyo's Museum of Maritime Science, until October 2008, when it closed its gates for the last time. Recently however, it has reopened, this time not as a swimming pool, but as a facility for training junior high school kayakers to eventually take part in the Olympics. Currently, the Oshima Junior High School kayak club has been using to poos to practice under the direction of a former Olympic athlete.

Members of the canoe club

The donut-shaped pool, which flows like a river, was opened in 1975. After closing to the general public it has been used for free sea kayaking lessons as well as certain events. Recently, the Koto Ward Education Committeehas developed new clubs at its schools, such as, Wall Climbing, Girl’s Football and Kayaking. This was done to broaden the choice of club activities for elementary and junior high school students. Oshima Junior High School was designated as a canoe school, and so uses Seaside Pool with support of the Museum of Maritime Science.

Getting in a kayak is still difficult for some

Club activities began this past summer, on June 13, 2009. Lessons are limited to weekend mornings, and currently ten kayak club members are eagerly participating. The instructors told this reporter that if students’ skills go up, they will practice in the Onaki river and take part in competitions.

Since the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, Japan has sent kayakers to the games, but to date has received no medals.