To think all swimming pools should have reflective ceilings...

[ProudAS]

...so that people can swim on their backs in relative safety. The pool I usr does not have a full blown mirror for a ceiling but is reflective enough for me to see other swimmers and the poolside when doing backstroke.

Sounds a good idea to me

Eurgh. No way. I dont want to see myself splashing around all flabby in a swimming cossie.

Perhaps a safety helmet to stop bonking your head on the side would be an option?!

Here here. I HATE starting at a new pool on my own, I'm too scared to do back stroke even though that's my favourite stroke.

I am the wonkiest back swimmer ever so this is a great idea. I actually feel like I am going straight until I crash into some poor bugger

Backstroke is for show offs who don't care about injuring the rest of us. Stick to the doggy paddle and we'll all be safe.

I know from where the steps are into the pool whether I'm coming up to the end, and just slow down slightly and leave my outstretched arm out, also the flags strung across 5m from each end are a useful guide.

It shouldn't be too hard to maintain a straight course if you have an even stroke, so you could try doing some drills with a float to strengthen up your weaker side.

The main benefit of a mirrored ceiling would be as an aid to spot the pervy old men in saggy speedos.

I think the butterfly is the show-off stroke.

Last time I tried backstroke in a public pool somebody swam over me. Never again. Front crawl is the best bet all around methinks.

like butterfly, it just is not a stroke suited to busy pools, mirrored ceilings or no
but i do like the idea

chocolate is right. Get a flowery swimming cap and do a breaststroke you big show off

Surely you should be doing what every self respecting lady does and swim breaststroke with your head out the water so your hair doesn't get wet.

Every pool I've swum at has flags on the ceiling so you know when you're nearing the end. I thought this was standard?

Fwiw, I think backstroke should be banned! No one can ever do it well and it causes problems for other swimmers.

I like backstroke although I am not a great swimmer....and I like swimming outside. I support OP in principle, but am not sure how it would work!

If backstroke was banned I wouldn't be able to swim! It's all I can do.

Doesn't it have bars across the ceiling, or lights or something? I know when I get to the X number of bars/lights then I am nearly at the end.
I would hate mirrors, I'd have to do backstroke with my eyes closed then!

What's wrong with doing the old lady breaststroke? You know, when you're swimming so slowly you're hardly moving, but somehow still afloat. (How is that even possible?!)

This would be a great idea. I do a breast stroke, but have severe neck issues, and so it stops me very quickly having to hold it up above the water. Back stroke takes the pressure off the neck, but I'm not confident enough to do it - even in an empty pool, without stopping to check I'm not going to smack into the wall every three seconds!

I swim backstroke, quite well as it happens chrome. I usually swim in a lane and use the tiles on the ceiling to see when I'm at the end of a lap. I swim straight because I know what I'm doing.
If I have to swim in the open pool I would only swim backstroke if I'm at the side. I try to avoid swimming in the open pool though.

Hmm, my first thought was that mirrored ceilings would make it easier to see down ladies' bathing suit tops. I guess you can tell I'm not a swimmer...