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
Anna Lea talked to me about a having a coach write a new article on this exact subject of warm up pool etiquette.
There are plenty of articles out there like it. You can probably find one on any large club or LMSC's website.
The problem lies in swimmers actually reading the rules and suggestions - and thinking of other swimmers in the pool before themselves.
I find this bad behavior in the meet warm-up pool so very out of character for masters swimmers.
It really surprises me every single time I experience it!
I do think it is worth the space to include these warm-up pool suggestions in the emailed newsletter sent out before Nationals.
And perhaps even in the program.
Maybe removing the offending swimmer from the warm-up pool for that session?
Certainly every swimmer participating at Nationals knows there is no diving into the warm-up pool, but every session we see someone do it.
A sleek entry dive is less disruptive the cannon-ball like entry so many like to use regardless of who is near. But who can count on a swimmer to look around and make sure it is clear.
Must be the reason we have that no-dive rule...
Anna Lea talked to me about a having a coach write a new article on this exact subject of warm up pool etiquette.
There are plenty of articles out there like it. You can probably find one on any large club or LMSC's website.
The problem lies in swimmers actually reading the rules and suggestions - and thinking of other swimmers in the pool before themselves.
I find this bad behavior in the meet warm-up pool so very out of character for masters swimmers.
It really surprises me every single time I experience it!
I do think it is worth the space to include these warm-up pool suggestions in the emailed newsletter sent out before Nationals.
And perhaps even in the program.
Maybe removing the offending swimmer from the warm-up pool for that session?
Certainly every swimmer participating at Nationals knows there is no diving into the warm-up pool, but every session we see someone do it.
A sleek entry dive is less disruptive the cannon-ball like entry so many like to use regardless of who is near. But who can count on a swimmer to look around and make sure it is clear.
Must be the reason we have that no-dive rule...
