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
Just where in my statement did I blame you?? I stated a fact about crowded warm-ups. There are times when a swimmer is trying to warm-up and people crowd the wall, so an incoming swimmer that wants to keep moving doesn't have a place on the wall to turn, so they use what there.
I don't condone pulling people under just because someone wants to pass them, diving in into the warm-up pool or using paddles/fins in the warm-up pool.
I do support people that want a good warm-up swimming past a person, completing a flip turn on the wall if people won't move(it ain't that hard move or duck down) or doing kicking/drill swims regardless of what everyone else is doing(except in sprint lanes)
Yes, I think I do deserve and everyone else in the pool deserves the right to warm-up the way we feel we need to for our races. If that means passing you in the middle of pool, then you get passed. That happens to me at every meet. I start out slow in the warm-up process and people pass me in the lane...doesn't bother me because it is part of the process.
If you want to compete, that's great, don't stay home. No one wants you to stay home.
Wookie, I agree that you are entitled to your warm up as you like it. It sounds like you are responsible try to respect other swimmers at the same time. All that I am saying is that I don't get the same. I can't swim more than a 25 at a time because I'm intimidated. I don't mind being passed if it's not over the top of me or I'm not shoved into the lane lines. I tried the continuous swim thing that you want, but got hurt in the process. Do you think that one deserves bruises because they are trying to warm up? I don't think so. My point is that I know I tick people off while trying to swim my 25, pull off, hang on to the lane line, wait for a break and do the whole thing all over again. But that's the best I can do. What I'm trying to say is that even at that, it's a dangerous game. Please try to understand that nobody gets the perfect warm up.
I'm about to move into the safety of the 65 plus lane, and I must say that though I'm probably faster and stronger than 80 percent of those swimmers, I'd never consider my personal warm up more important than anyone else's safety in that lane. I'll make accomodations or take my chances in another lane. I guess my standards are just too high and I should just shut my mouth and lick my wounds. See you in PR!
Just where in my statement did I blame you?? I stated a fact about crowded warm-ups. There are times when a swimmer is trying to warm-up and people crowd the wall, so an incoming swimmer that wants to keep moving doesn't have a place on the wall to turn, so they use what there.
I don't condone pulling people under just because someone wants to pass them, diving in into the warm-up pool or using paddles/fins in the warm-up pool.
I do support people that want a good warm-up swimming past a person, completing a flip turn on the wall if people won't move(it ain't that hard move or duck down) or doing kicking/drill swims regardless of what everyone else is doing(except in sprint lanes)
Yes, I think I do deserve and everyone else in the pool deserves the right to warm-up the way we feel we need to for our races. If that means passing you in the middle of pool, then you get passed. That happens to me at every meet. I start out slow in the warm-up process and people pass me in the lane...doesn't bother me because it is part of the process.
If you want to compete, that's great, don't stay home. No one wants you to stay home.
Wookie, I agree that you are entitled to your warm up as you like it. It sounds like you are responsible try to respect other swimmers at the same time. All that I am saying is that I don't get the same. I can't swim more than a 25 at a time because I'm intimidated. I don't mind being passed if it's not over the top of me or I'm not shoved into the lane lines. I tried the continuous swim thing that you want, but got hurt in the process. Do you think that one deserves bruises because they are trying to warm up? I don't think so. My point is that I know I tick people off while trying to swim my 25, pull off, hang on to the lane line, wait for a break and do the whole thing all over again. But that's the best I can do. What I'm trying to say is that even at that, it's a dangerous game. Please try to understand that nobody gets the perfect warm up.
I'm about to move into the safety of the 65 plus lane, and I must say that though I'm probably faster and stronger than 80 percent of those swimmers, I'd never consider my personal warm up more important than anyone else's safety in that lane. I'll make accomodations or take my chances in another lane. I guess my standards are just too high and I should just shut my mouth and lick my wounds. See you in PR!
