Okay, I know somebody's gonna bust me on the unethical nature of what I'm about to ask. Rest assured I'm not actually planning to do this, but with the misery of swimming in my current pool the idea did enter my head, sort of a "what if" type of thought...
Have any of you find upstanding folks ever used a hotel or apartment pool where you weren't staying or living, um, without permission? I know, most hotel and apartment pools suck, but occasionally there's one that's of sufficient size to get a workout that beckons to you over the fence. "Come swim in me..."
Anybody do this regularly and get away with it? Anybody have any interesting stories of running half naked from hotel security hell bent on having you charged with tresspassing?
Once again, no lectures, please. I've been reading a lot of material from Hunter Thompson lately (who swims, by the way--or at least he used to), and his weird shenanigans have my own imagination coming up with all kinds of daring, if unethical, solutions to the problems of life.
Parents
Former Member
Shaky -
Hmmm.... I share your pain. The YMCA I swim at is fine, but the outdoor pool that I also swim at is a nightmare - very similar to what you have described. My solution is to heed the wisdom of the 23rd Psalm, revised: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil for I am the meanest SOB in the valley.
1) Complain constantly to management. A very effective way of getting their attention is to point out that their liability insurance carrier wouldn't be very happy to know about the unsafe conditions which they allow to occur.
2) Go to board meetings and complain per #1.
3) This there some sort of national governing/organizing group for YMCA's? If so, complain to them.
4) Complain to the lifeguard every time they allow something that is unsafe to occur. Follow it up with a complaint to management.
5) In the case of a teenager or kid doing something unsafe (swimming across a lane, etc), pull rank: don't hesitate to give them H@ll for it - most kids are loath to argue with someone who reminds them of their dad.
6) Offer to make up waterproof signs listing the rules that can be put on both ends of each lane. This precludes ignorance as an excuse.
7) For the slower swimmers who won't go to a correct lane (assuming YOU are actually in the correct lane, BTW), keep touching their feet as a signal to pass. Most people hate that.
You won't exactly be loved, but if there is an accident at a pool and someone gets clobbered by you because of something stupid that they did, you will also be named in the lawsuit. It is in everyone's best interest to try and promote a safe swimming environment. I've had (some) success where I swim, but it is still a battle.
Good Luck.
Bruised and battered, but not broken,
LBJ
Shaky -
Hmmm.... I share your pain. The YMCA I swim at is fine, but the outdoor pool that I also swim at is a nightmare - very similar to what you have described. My solution is to heed the wisdom of the 23rd Psalm, revised: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil for I am the meanest SOB in the valley.
1) Complain constantly to management. A very effective way of getting their attention is to point out that their liability insurance carrier wouldn't be very happy to know about the unsafe conditions which they allow to occur.
2) Go to board meetings and complain per #1.
3) This there some sort of national governing/organizing group for YMCA's? If so, complain to them.
4) Complain to the lifeguard every time they allow something that is unsafe to occur. Follow it up with a complaint to management.
5) In the case of a teenager or kid doing something unsafe (swimming across a lane, etc), pull rank: don't hesitate to give them H@ll for it - most kids are loath to argue with someone who reminds them of their dad.
6) Offer to make up waterproof signs listing the rules that can be put on both ends of each lane. This precludes ignorance as an excuse.
7) For the slower swimmers who won't go to a correct lane (assuming YOU are actually in the correct lane, BTW), keep touching their feet as a signal to pass. Most people hate that.
You won't exactly be loved, but if there is an accident at a pool and someone gets clobbered by you because of something stupid that they did, you will also be named in the lawsuit. It is in everyone's best interest to try and promote a safe swimming environment. I've had (some) success where I swim, but it is still a battle.
Good Luck.
Bruised and battered, but not broken,
LBJ
