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
Sami, great suggestion.
I didn't have too much of an issue with warmup. Perhaps it is because I managed to warm up at less-crowded times or picked good lanes; who knows.
Between this thread and the "what i didn't like about atlanta nationals" thread, I see a lot of complaints about the "faster" and/or "younger" swimmers in the warmup pool, and would like to point out that it goes both ways. Some "slower" and/or "older" swimmers just flat out refused to yield to others who repeatedly foot-touched or were swimming whilst they were kicking. Or the people who push off when someone is sprinting towards your wall or about to initiate their flip turn... why would you not wait to go after them?
In all cases, there are some behaviors that are flat out unacceptable. Everyone needs to practice common courtesy - and as a meet director, this is something that is on us and our safety marshals.
Sami, great suggestion.
I didn't have too much of an issue with warmup. Perhaps it is because I managed to warm up at less-crowded times or picked good lanes; who knows.
Between this thread and the "what i didn't like about atlanta nationals" thread, I see a lot of complaints about the "faster" and/or "younger" swimmers in the warmup pool, and would like to point out that it goes both ways. Some "slower" and/or "older" swimmers just flat out refused to yield to others who repeatedly foot-touched or were swimming whilst they were kicking. Or the people who push off when someone is sprinting towards your wall or about to initiate their flip turn... why would you not wait to go after them?
In all cases, there are some behaviors that are flat out unacceptable. Everyone needs to practice common courtesy - and as a meet director, this is something that is on us and our safety marshals.
