I recently moved to an "active adult" community, basically to get away from kids. Love them, but was tired of dealing with them in the pool I used to swim in. To my surprise, the first day in my new pool (which is almost 25 yards!), I was approached about my "fins" and "kickboard." It seems the pool "rules" prohibit large flotation devices. My kickboard is 17" long. The Board then decided to prohibit fins.. I am fuming. :bitching: I can't even fight it because, conveniently, the board doesn't meet until September! I swim in the morning, and there is NO ONE in the pool. My fins are also short fins. They ruled them as "hazardous." Did you ever hear of anything so insane???? Yes, I could swim without them, but a great deal of my 3600 yard workout includes those items. The irony is that the pool is hardly used, unless the weather is over 90 and the water over 85. UGGGHHHHH.
I had to join an outdoor pool and PAY (even though I pay plenty in the "active adult" community per month in association dues) for the summer, and as my prior thread whines, 2 weeks later, I received a whopping sinus infection. I'm ready to quit swimming.
Any HOA documents are supposed to be available to the homeowners, including the insurance policy. I say supposed because it sounds as though your HOA is a shadowy group, but legally, they're are not entitled to keep pertinent documents from homeowners. You may even find them online if your HOA has a website. You're fortunate that the lifeguard backed you up. Perhaps he/she can let the other lifeguards know so they'll stop harassing you, and you can have your early morning swim in peace when no one else is there.
I suspect there is a complete lack of understanding on the board about fins and kick boards. They may think someone's going to get hit in the face with fins, or knocked over the head with a board. Perhaps educating them with some of the online information about how and why these training tools are used will help and they'll get over their fear of being sued.
If the board has an attorney, and most of them do, consider calling that person and getting the lowdown on why this rule is in place and how it can be removed. If enough people are frustrated by the board's arrogance, you will get elected eventually, especially if you're doing good work on the committee.
Any HOA documents are supposed to be available to the homeowners, including the insurance policy. I say supposed because it sounds as though your HOA is a shadowy group, but legally, they're are not entitled to keep pertinent documents from homeowners. You may even find them online if your HOA has a website. You're fortunate that the lifeguard backed you up. Perhaps he/she can let the other lifeguards know so they'll stop harassing you, and you can have your early morning swim in peace when no one else is there.
I suspect there is a complete lack of understanding on the board about fins and kick boards. They may think someone's going to get hit in the face with fins, or knocked over the head with a board. Perhaps educating them with some of the online information about how and why these training tools are used will help and they'll get over their fear of being sued.
If the board has an attorney, and most of them do, consider calling that person and getting the lowdown on why this rule is in place and how it can be removed. If enough people are frustrated by the board's arrogance, you will get elected eventually, especially if you're doing good work on the committee.
