Swimming on Rosh Chodesh Av
Question
Greetings and blessings! Is it permitted to go swimming today on Rosh Chodesh [the first day of the month of Av]? Thank you in advance.
Answer
Many greetings and a good month to you!
According to Ashkenazi custom, it is forbidden even to bathe for pleasure from the eve of Rosh Chodesh Av, and certainly, this would include swimming. Even according to Sephardic custom, which allows bathing until the week in which Tisha B'Av falls, there are mourning practices during this time, and it is not appropriate to indulge in pleasures.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, section Orach Chaim, Chapter 551
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