The International Swimming Federation held their 2011 world championships in Shanghai this month and there were some really amazing photographs from the meet.

It never seems to fail. Every year in the summertime when the weather gets hot and you set up your aboveground pool, it gets visited by some hot animals. Well, they need to cool off too.

Alpaca

Would you do this at - 36C? I would never do it, I simply couldn't. But these people from a local club in Krasnoyarsk went swimming in the Yenisei River on December 12, while the air temperature was -36C. The Yenisei River goes through portions of northern Russia and Mongolia before depositing into the Arctic. I don’t know how they are doing it, but judging by the look on their faces it can be said that they enjoy it a lot…It’s just crazy! I’m freezing now.

These Infinity swimming pools are some of the most gorgeous in the world. An infinity pool is one that produces the visual effect of water that extends to the horizon. It is an absolutely beautiful effect and is aptly named as is shown by these photos.

Golden Triangle Resort - Chiang Rai, Thailand

Apparently, Park Avenue in New York has three dumpsters that have been converted to swimming pools. And people certainly enjoy them. Although, there are no diving boards, nobody seems to mind.

Alexander is only 14 years old, but he is a real fighter. He continues to enjoy his favorite sports even though many people don’t understand or support his desires.

The story of this six-year-old boy from Alabama is unbelievable. Gabe Marsh was born with birth defects. He had no legs and only one arm. He was lucky to be adopted by Marshes family, who accepted over 60 children with “special needs”. One thing Ann and Ed Marshes doubted about was the ability of Gabe to swim, as most kids who had been through their home were members of the Guntersville swim team. It took Ann by surprise to see Gabe swimming last summer. Since then he has managed to improve his results, and he now swims for the Guntersville swim team.