# What is this giant pool in Japan?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-giant-pool-in-japan/457239>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 21, 2008, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-giant-pool-in-japan/457239 "2008-07-21T11:52:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-giant-pool-in-japan/457239/21 "2008-07-23T09:24:57Z")

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[QUOTE=Sublight]  
There’s some sort of false start (I’m at work so I don’t have the sound on), but they restart around the 1:20 mark.  
[/QUOTE]  
They announcer gives the actualy start time at the 1:42 mark.

I’ve got to run now and don’t have time to google to see if this is correct, but IIRC, the boats are supplied by the association and the drivers have a drawing for which boat they will use, which makes this significantly different than auto racing.

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**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-giant-pool-in-japan/457239/22 "2008-07-23T09:53:56Z")

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[QUOTE=Sublight]

There’s some sort of false start (I’m at work so I don’t have the sound on), but they restart around the 1:20 mark.  
[/QUOTE]

It’s not a false start. The drivers get to choose, or rather compete for, their lane. That’s what the first dash out of the pit area is for. After going around the first turn, they settle down in their starting lanes until the actual start signal is given.

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**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-giant-pool-in-japan/457239/23 "2008-07-24T01:25:54Z")

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[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor]  
Holding tank for Godzilla?  
[/QUOTE]

You might _think_ its Godzilla but due to International Copyright Laws it is in fact _not_ Godzilla at all but a similar but distinctly different large ancient reptile ! 😃

Looks like jet skis to me. Neato !

Cartooniverse

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