Yes, absolutely. There are several factors that can go into it. For example, something as simple as how the gutters are can make a difference. Other factors that can have an impact are the changes in depth of the pool (i.e. if the racing course is all the same depth all the way across vs. there being a deep end and a shallow end; if all of the lanes have the same depth vs. some lanes having shallow all the way across and others that have both shallow and deep ends,) the temperature of the water, the surface of the walls (i.e. slippery vs tacky), the lines on the bottom (having only one - going in the same direction that you're swimming vs. being horizontal and/or there being areas that criss-cross,) the size/width of the lanes, even the type of lane lines (some are tighter at certain pools, some are made with certain materials, shapes and/or thicknesses that can better prevent waves [above and under the water] from spreading into the other lanes; the number (and type) of lane lines that separate the lanes (although, at the "bigger" meets, the number of lane lines tends to be the same), whether or not there are walls the length of the pool - for the outer lanes (i.e. if there is a "warm up lane" next to your lane and/or an entire warm up area next to your lane [i.e. the pool in Concord) vs. having a wall next to you the entire length); if the pool is indoor vs outdoor; the type of blocks (i.e. how big they are, how slippery vs. tacky they are, the angle of the block, are you diving into the shallow end vs. diving into the deep end, whether or not there's a backstop for your back foot, etc.); amount of chlorine/ph balance, etc. Even the shading at the bottom of the pool (i.e. if a pool area provides shade-especially within the flags/by the walls - so you can clearly see the walls vs. being thrown off by shade near the wall, or light reflections; and whether or not the level of shade is consistent for all lanes vs. just a few.) And, of course there's the placebo effect.
The shading thing can obviously have a bigger impact on the sprints because your turns are essential. Some people will say that, at the higher levels, you know the exact number of strokes, so even if you can't see the wall as well, you still know when to turn. However, when every 1/100th of a second counts, being able to see the wall very clearly vs. not so clearly is a factor. Also, as often as swimmers practice and race their events, there are always times that your stroke count is thrown off just slightly (i.e. maybe you went a little further on your underwater than usual), and you have to adjust your stroke when you hit the flags, or else your turn - or - you finish will be impacted. We've seen that time and time again - even at the Olympics - when one person has to glide a little further at the finish than their competitor - who is able to hit the wall according to their normal stroke count. Michael Phelps vs. Milorad Cavic (a Cal Bear swimmer) is the perfect example.) There are just so many little things that can impact the sprints because you're dealing with just 1/100ths of a second that separate 1st place vs 2nd (for sure)...but in certain races, there can be just a 1/10 of a second difference between 1st and 8th place.
One example in CA of a pool that is "known" to be a fast pool is Clovis West High School. SUCH a great pool.
Sorry, way too much detail...yikes....aren't you glad you asked the question, Shroeder71
GO BEARS!!
The shading thing can obviously have a bigger impact on the sprints because your turns are essential. Some people will say that, at the higher levels, you know the exact number of strokes, so even if you can't see the wall as well, you still know when to turn. However, when every 1/100th of a second counts, being able to see the wall very clearly vs. not so clearly is a factor. Also, as often as swimmers practice and race their events, there are always times that your stroke count is thrown off just slightly (i.e. maybe you went a little further on your underwater than usual), and you have to adjust your stroke when you hit the flags, or else your turn - or - you finish will be impacted. We've seen that time and time again - even at the Olympics - when one person has to glide a little further at the finish than their competitor - who is able to hit the wall according to their normal stroke count. Michael Phelps vs. Milorad Cavic (a Cal Bear swimmer) is the perfect example.) There are just so many little things that can impact the sprints because you're dealing with just 1/100ths of a second that separate 1st place vs 2nd (for sure)...but in certain races, there can be just a 1/10 of a second difference between 1st and 8th place.
One example in CA of a pool that is "known" to be a fast pool is Clovis West High School. SUCH a great pool.
Sorry, way too much detail...yikes....aren't you glad you asked the question, Shroeder71
GO BEARS!!
