Fort Lauderdale- I am actually not a huge fan of this pool…but, I can’t argue with history. Too many National and YMCA National Championships (29) have been hosted here for me to leave it off the countdown. The pool also gets points for being the site of the most exciting race I’ve ever seen in my life (Erik Vendt vs. Michael Phelps 400 IM in 2002, where both went under the old World Record). What this pool lacks in amenities (four feet deep anyone?) it makes up in history and ambience (right next to both the International Swimming Hall of fame and, more importantly to the swimmers from the North, the beach).