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
I do not support schedules in the warm-up pool. I'ts tough but that is a part of the game.
I don't either....just stating what "may" be the only way to reduce the original posters concern. I'm a big boy and generally don't have a problem.
With the number of people in the pools the only way I can see fixing the problem is staged warmups (groups of teams assigned to a set time to warmup) and/or making warmup longer.
I was never fast enought to swim at the Olynpic Trials, but I did swim in some big AAU and college events. Warm up and warm down problems are a part of the experience. It sucks.
In AAU meets (like masters) it was a "deal with it" experience. Coaches might be able to swarm a lane or two with the team but that's not too effective, and kind of rude.
In college, coaches worked together (slightly) to afford time for teams to warm up. Warm downs weren't that much of a problem, for me.
I do not support schedules in the warm-up pool. I'ts tough but that is a part of the game.
Tell us you fast swimmers out there, how were warm ups and warm downs controlled at the trials, DIV I NCAA and the Big Dance?
I have been to a Y in nyc that made you wear a elastic band, you were allowed 20 minutes after 20 you got out and waited. I swear. I went once, never again.
One of the marshalls in Atlanta had to kick out a younger ok maybe 30ish masters swimmer who was wearing paddles (you know who u are). I mean seriously. She got really upset. rufkme. :bitching:
When I swam at worlds in munich, they had warm up lanes with time intervals (1.30 being the slowest) this is hard at best for some seniors long course. they also alternated clockwise one lane, counter the other. People were running into each other.
There is no answer, we all know etiquette and sadly most of the offenders are not newbies. If somebody does something call them out about it.
:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::applaud:I don't see this one going over very well. Some people like to do a long swim before their race, others none, some a very short swim. Knowing myself and some other people, we wouldn't listen very well to someone telling us when to warm-up or get out for our races.
I don't either....just stating what "may" be the only way to reduce the original posters concern. I'm a big boy and generally don't have a problem.
Well - I don't know that that's entirely fair to say. Even at a smaller "big" meet like Illinois State (my first ever and only until the end of this month). I remember getting into the warm up lanes and coming out thinking that about 15 people had gotten fresh with me (yes I was VERY flattered).
I think what would honestly help the most is developing an entry/exit system from the pool (Always enter from this end, always exit from that end). Then a break down of speed should move from lane one -> lane x (6, 8, 10?) Finally - plain and simple - don't stand in the end of the lane if someone's coming in.
The nerd in me says we should get someone who's sole job is to organize the warm ups and assign people places and allow them in when its the best time. This same person could keep track of what event is going on and tell people when they need to get out of warm up. (Of course the nerd in me is imagining a lot of nerdy tech stuff that would be pretty much impractical for a standard meet budget.)
I don't see this one going over very well. Some people like to do a long swim before their race, others none, some a very short swim. Knowing myself and some other people, we wouldn't listen very well to someone telling us when to warm-up or get out for our races.
Well - I suppose not necessarily telling you that you have to stay in for a certain time - but if you do say "I'm warming up for event 33" You could at least have the current event/heat# + estimated time til next event posted so the swimmers could use their own judgement.
However - it would be best if someone was at least organizing the faster swimmers in faster lanes and vice versa. Some of us can't sprint at the speed some of you can warm up at (looks at myself)
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The nerd in me says we should get someone who's sole job is to organize the warm ups and assign people places and allow them in when its the best time. This same person could keep track of what event is going on and tell people when they need to get out of warm up. (Of course the nerd in me is imagining a lot of nerdy tech stuff that would be pretty much impractical for a standard meet budget.)
I don't see this one going over very well. Some people like to do a long swim before their race, others none, some a very short swim. Knowing myself and some other people, we wouldn't listen very well to someone telling us when to warm-up or get out for our races.
Nobody ever seems to like what I say, but I am going to say it again. There is no substitute for good manners. I don't care how young or old you are; how fast or slow you are, you get my humble respect in the warm up pool. All I ask is that I receive the same from you. My Atlanta experience as well as the subsequent scrapes and bruises would indicate otherwise. If this is a problem for one participant, it is a problem! Enough of the "just live with it or stay home" attitude!
When I swam at worlds in munich, they had warm up lanes with time intervals (1.30 being the slowest)
I am thinking about doing something like this for our meet in August. The only problem here is the success of lane-speed rules depends on the honesty of the swimmers in the water. Some people think higher of themselves than they should; others should think more highly of themselves than they do. Plus people do some kick during warmup, so it's not going to be perfect.
I'm glad someone mentioned using people as the wall. At a meet a while back, I came upon a crowded wall, and there was someone in the middle who had had more than enough time to move. I did a slow flip turn (as not to hit them on the head with my heels) and straddled the person in the middle of the wall uncomfortably close (for them, at least) for a second before I pushed off. Next time down, everyone had moved over and there was plenty of room!! :bolt:
