Everyone here on the boards has way more experience than I do, so I'm looking for advice on how you handle rudeness in the pool.
It seems like the summer has taken its toll on me with the number of rude people of all stripes who've been sharing my rec center pool. It's gotten to the point where it's sapped my enjoyment, and I have at times thought about giving up the sport entirely because it's just too much hassle to come home feeling like I've been byatch slapped, run into, pushed against the ropes, told no to lane sharing, and insulted about the way I look in a bathing suit.
Yes, I'm too sensitive, that's a fact, but I'm a writer and an artist, so it kind of comes with the territory. I try to shrug these things off, but I get out of the pool depressed and replay incidents in my head. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it. What's supposed to be a nice, relaxing, healthy form of exercise has, over the summer, become something I dread. The lifeguards aren't much help - they don't see most of what's going on in the lap lanes because they're busy watching the kids. I can't count on them to step in. :badday: So I'd like to know if any of you experienced swimmers have dealt with this turning point, and how you kept going.
.... After about 6 months of "hammer down" we have a rather pleasant group of lap swimmers, and issues of sharing lanes and staying out of the way seem to have subsided....
I'm moving to where your pool is.
Thanks for sharing this.
Not that long ago (I'm 56 now) I used to work at a year-round private community pool, which is a certified 50M competitive pool. We pretty much had to handle the patrons with kid gloves (I was not in charge). It was pretty ridiculous.
As a response to the whole thread...
I thought the facility I swim at now (I'm out of the pool business, and in a different state) was the worst. After reading this thread, I realize I got it pretty easy.
Yes, in general, (teenage) lifeguards are idiots, and useless. There are exceptions, but that is the general rule. Get used to it. Good Senior Staff can make a big difference, but it takes a solid team of them, and that can be rare.
There seem to be some universal truths about Pool Etiquette. One is that slower swimmers should yield to faster swimmers. I've seen some pretty mean behavior though, by both faster and slower swimmers.
I'm usually in water a LONG time (I need to rest a lot). More often times than not, if I'm patient, I get what I want (the slower swimmers finish, other slots open up, etc.).
I always adjust my workout to who is in my lane. It should be give-and-take though, not all one-sided.
Unfortunately, the bottom line is (especially for where I am now), people are generally pretty selfish, and self-centered, not willing to make it a team-type thing. Too bad. The whole would likely benefit more if the team effort were followed.
BTW... I'm 6'3", 195#, and usually the fastest fish in the pond when I swim (but by most USMS group standards I'd be medium to slow). I train for IM's, so I do lots of annoying "Wide" strokes. I rarely connect with anyone though. Based on the feedback I've gotten so far however, most (slower) patrons at my pool seem intimidated by sharing a lane with me. Too bad, that is not the image I try to portray. I love swimming, and want everyone to benefit from it.
I'm also fortunate that my schedule is flexible, so I simply go to the pool at times I'm most likely to get a decent lane slot, and avoid abysmally slow swimmers. I do recognize that they have a right to get their fitness too. The best times to go do vary from season to season. Things usually lighten-up by the time school starts.
I agree with the posts about taking extreme issues to management, or the Aquatics Director. Odds are pretty good they have no idea. Or it could be they've heard it all before and don't care. It won't hurt to try though, and let your voice be heard.
I started out extremely frustrated by where I swim now. After making some adjustments, I now find it tolerable.
.... After about 6 months of "hammer down" we have a rather pleasant group of lap swimmers, and issues of sharing lanes and staying out of the way seem to have subsided....
I'm moving to where your pool is.
Thanks for sharing this.
Not that long ago (I'm 56 now) I used to work at a year-round private community pool, which is a certified 50M competitive pool. We pretty much had to handle the patrons with kid gloves (I was not in charge). It was pretty ridiculous.
As a response to the whole thread...
I thought the facility I swim at now (I'm out of the pool business, and in a different state) was the worst. After reading this thread, I realize I got it pretty easy.
Yes, in general, (teenage) lifeguards are idiots, and useless. There are exceptions, but that is the general rule. Get used to it. Good Senior Staff can make a big difference, but it takes a solid team of them, and that can be rare.
There seem to be some universal truths about Pool Etiquette. One is that slower swimmers should yield to faster swimmers. I've seen some pretty mean behavior though, by both faster and slower swimmers.
I'm usually in water a LONG time (I need to rest a lot). More often times than not, if I'm patient, I get what I want (the slower swimmers finish, other slots open up, etc.).
I always adjust my workout to who is in my lane. It should be give-and-take though, not all one-sided.
Unfortunately, the bottom line is (especially for where I am now), people are generally pretty selfish, and self-centered, not willing to make it a team-type thing. Too bad. The whole would likely benefit more if the team effort were followed.
BTW... I'm 6'3", 195#, and usually the fastest fish in the pond when I swim (but by most USMS group standards I'd be medium to slow). I train for IM's, so I do lots of annoying "Wide" strokes. I rarely connect with anyone though. Based on the feedback I've gotten so far however, most (slower) patrons at my pool seem intimidated by sharing a lane with me. Too bad, that is not the image I try to portray. I love swimming, and want everyone to benefit from it.
I'm also fortunate that my schedule is flexible, so I simply go to the pool at times I'm most likely to get a decent lane slot, and avoid abysmally slow swimmers. I do recognize that they have a right to get their fitness too. The best times to go do vary from season to season. Things usually lighten-up by the time school starts.
I agree with the posts about taking extreme issues to management, or the Aquatics Director. Odds are pretty good they have no idea. Or it could be they've heard it all before and don't care. It won't hurt to try though, and let your voice be heard.
I started out extremely frustrated by where I swim now. After making some adjustments, I now find it tolerable.
