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
Then what do you want everyone to do? A person can't get a good warm-up by stopping every 25. If people are crowding the wall and don't give the approaching swimmer a place to either stop or turn, then they become part of the wall for turning. If you have been swimming long enough, that is part of warm-ups. Swimmer don't do it intentionally but when given no other choice to continue their warm-up, they do what is best for them.
You have described my warm up. I am exceedingly cognizant of the fact that I am older, slower and smaller than about 95 percent of those attending Nationals - yet a top ten swimmer in more than three events for each course since I started swimming about 5 years ago, so you're not exactly talking to an inexperienced swimmer. I'm tough enough, but don't expect to be pulled under by the foot so that someone could swim over the top of me, nor shoved into a lane line a body length from the wall because someone couldn't wait for me to pull off at the end of my sprint 25. When I stop, I hang on to the lane line so as to not impede others. I don't know what else to do in your world except to stay home which I will NOT do. I know what you think you deserve, but what makes it so important that people get hurt or are terrified to warm up? I don't think that this is what our sport is all about. Since I have decided to speak out on this subject, I have been accused of being the problem by you and others. That is kind of like blaming the victim of a crime which speaks volumes about the attitudes of fellow swimmers.
Finally, I want to go on record that the large majority of swimmers are exceeding respectful of others. In our crowded warm ups, there is generally an attitude that we're all in this together, and people understand that they are sharing a crowded space. It is only a few people who forget their manners that make things dangerous. We're all there for the same reason - we love our sport and want to be the best we can be. "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry" would go a long way.
Then what do you want everyone to do? A person can't get a good warm-up by stopping every 25. If people are crowding the wall and don't give the approaching swimmer a place to either stop or turn, then they become part of the wall for turning. If you have been swimming long enough, that is part of warm-ups. Swimmer don't do it intentionally but when given no other choice to continue their warm-up, they do what is best for them.
You have described my warm up. I am exceedingly cognizant of the fact that I am older, slower and smaller than about 95 percent of those attending Nationals - yet a top ten swimmer in more than three events for each course since I started swimming about 5 years ago, so you're not exactly talking to an inexperienced swimmer. I'm tough enough, but don't expect to be pulled under by the foot so that someone could swim over the top of me, nor shoved into a lane line a body length from the wall because someone couldn't wait for me to pull off at the end of my sprint 25. When I stop, I hang on to the lane line so as to not impede others. I don't know what else to do in your world except to stay home which I will NOT do. I know what you think you deserve, but what makes it so important that people get hurt or are terrified to warm up? I don't think that this is what our sport is all about. Since I have decided to speak out on this subject, I have been accused of being the problem by you and others. That is kind of like blaming the victim of a crime which speaks volumes about the attitudes of fellow swimmers.
Finally, I want to go on record that the large majority of swimmers are exceeding respectful of others. In our crowded warm ups, there is generally an attitude that we're all in this together, and people understand that they are sharing a crowded space. It is only a few people who forget their manners that make things dangerous. We're all there for the same reason - we love our sport and want to be the best we can be. "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry" would go a long way.
