Had a great time at the Atlanta Short Course Nationals event, however what was up with the lack of pool etiquette in the warm-up/down pools? I have competed in triathlons and open water swims and this event by far was the most dangerous swim experience in terms of etiquette. I spoke with many swimmers who felt the same.
In the warm-up/warm-down pools, I had someone actually jump in as aggressively as they could on top of me, pushing me under. The one time I tried to warm-up in the competition pool during a break, I was pushed in the head and told "Move" & when it was completely crowded with no where to go, I had someone pull my leg, push on my lower back, push me under the water and then they actually swam over top of me to get in front, which was pointless as everyone was touching? Really? I was also very disappointed to hear that younger swimmers were not only crowding the 65+ designated lanes, but were actually just as dangerous and argumentative with the older swimmers. Really?
Perhaps we need a revised USMS Pool etiquette for Nationals and similar type events in addition to the following,
www.usms.org/.../pooletiquette
since there are a few USMS coming over to Sweden this summer
From the Worlds fact file:
WARM-UP PROCEDURES;
Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious and controlled manner. No diving or backstroke starts will be allowed except in designated sprint lanes. One or more lanes shall be designated as ONE WAY SPRINT lanes during the pre-meet warm-up sessions in the competition pool only. No diving or backstroke starts will be allowed in the warm-up pools. No sprint lanes will be designated in the warm-up pool. ANY SWIMMER WHO ACTS IN AN UNSPORTSMANLIKE OR UNSAFE MANNER WITHIN THE SWIMMING VENUE MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION OR PENALTY BY THE FINA Masters Commission.
Pull-buoys, kick boards, fins, hand paddles and other training aids consider inappropriate are not allowed in the competition pool or warm-up pool, as well as watches and heavy jewellery.
since there are a few USMS coming over to Sweden this summer
From the Worlds fact file:
WARM-UP PROCEDURES;
Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious and controlled manner. No diving or backstroke starts will be allowed except in designated sprint lanes. One or more lanes shall be designated as ONE WAY SPRINT lanes during the pre-meet warm-up sessions in the competition pool only. No diving or backstroke starts will be allowed in the warm-up pools. No sprint lanes will be designated in the warm-up pool. ANY SWIMMER WHO ACTS IN AN UNSPORTSMANLIKE OR UNSAFE MANNER WITHIN THE SWIMMING VENUE MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION OR PENALTY BY THE FINA Masters Commission.
Pull-buoys, kick boards, fins, hand paddles and other training aids consider inappropriate are not allowed in the competition pool or warm-up pool, as well as watches and heavy jewellery.
