snobs in the pool

Well said Phil. And as for the "YMCA = Thieves" signature line, all I can say (in this forum) is rubbish. YMCA's provide wonderful programs to their communities. Afterschool care, youth sports, healthy lifestyle programs, Youth in Government, camps, and inumerable family program opportunities. As a lifelong YMCA member and current member of the local YMCA board of managers, I realize that YMCA programing is family oriented and targeted to support a broad spectrum of the community. That's why I swim at the Rose Bowl and not at the Y. When I swim at a Y, I expect a Y environment (with which I'm very familiar as a former YMCA lifeguard, swim instructor, swim coach and aquatic director . . . about 3 decades ago). So for my serious training, I go to a serious environment where the driving purpose is serious aquatic training. When I can't, I try to keep my expectations reasonable by realizing that the world does not revolve around me and my needs. my $0.02 carl botterud

Phil, Go back and read the first post. These are people who jump in unannounced, unaware, uncaring, etc. We can and do make accommodations for ALL pool users... but a little civility on their part would go a long way... There, vent completed....

Originally posted by SWinkleblech The guards never seem to be paying any attention to the pool and the kids are always coming over into the lap lane. Well, that's the problem in a nutshell. The guards are officially in charge, so if they don't do anything about the problem, it doesn't get solved. At two different pools, I've seen somebody who was trying to get their infant used to the water, and even though part of the pool was set aside for open swim, they decided that the appropriate place to do this was in one of the lanes. At one pool, they just kept doing it. If swimmers complained to them, they just ignored the complaints. At the other pool, the lifeguard came over instantly and told them to move to the other part of the pool, and the problem was solved. Swimmers shouldn't have to complain to the guards to get action. The guards should know the rules and enforce them without being asked. Bob

Originally posted by SWinkleblech I'm scared one day I'm going to be doing a flip turn and run right into one. Originally posted by knelson You're scared of that? I'd say it would send the kid in question a strong message. This seems to be the only thing that works. Actually, SWinkleblech is right to be scared! While I've never collided with a kid who swam into my lane, I did collide with an adult once who decided to cut across my lane to exit the pool just as I was starting a backstroke test set. Apparently when he saw me put on my goggles and punch a button on my watch, he decided that I was going to be hanging there on the gutter for awhile, and it was okay for him to cut across my lane without even warning me. I wasn't too upset - until I tried to redo the test set and found that I couldn't extend my arm without excruciating pain. It was a couple of months before I could do freestyle again, and even longer before I could do backstroke. Bob

To those of you who think I'm just complaining, in a little way it is frustrating to swim in this situation. It is also a safety concern. I work with kids everyday and would not like to hurt them. I was also a lifeguard and pool manager myself and would never let these things go on in my pool. A lot of people may not like the rules but no one ever got serously hurt at any of the pools I worked at either. As for those of you saying I should go to another pool that really isn't an option for me without going 45min away. I just don't have the time. This pool has made it easy for me to go and work out and if I would have to go farther I don't think I would swim at all. I swim because I enjoy it and its a great way to stay in shape. All I would like is for others in the pool to have consideration for others and to be safe so we can all enjoy the pool no matter what we are there for. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

I wonder why Phil Arcuni would assume I intend to ride on the streets when I clearly wrote that I was headed for the TRAILS. As for those who basically are saying, "Don't like it, go away," fine. That's what I'm doing. I'll probably keep looking for a decent place to swim that will work with my schedule (which does NOT allow for team swimming), but I'm not going to hold my breath, and I'm no longer going to go out of my way to make it work. The managers of the facilities available to me are not serious about providing a reasonable atmosphere for serious swimming. I realize I'll never win this war, so I'll no longer fight it. And as for my signature, when I quit the YMCA they informed me that they would charge my credit card for an additional month of membership, in advance, that I cannot use. When I requested (before the charge was made) that they NOT charge me for the next month, they said they didn't have time to get it out of their system before the charge was to be made three days later. I find that difficult to believe, but I was willing to work with them. When I suggested that they simply make a refund to my credit card, I was informed that the policy of YMCA is that they do not offer refunds on membership dues, even when the service for which those dues were paid has not yet been provided. As far as I'm concerned, that is a corporate policy of theft against its members, designed to catch one more month of dues from people who move away and just don't feel like fighting them from afar. It is corporate greed, pure and simple. YMCA may do some good, but you cannot argue that stealing from its customers is part of that good work. That practice makes them thieves. If you don't like my attitude toward YMCA after getting the shaft from them, I suggest you work from the inside to make sure that your organization doesn't engage in organized theft. Until that happens, I will still maintain that:

Shaky, If that is the experience you had with the YMCA in D.C. then I understand your attitude. Assuming your facts are correct, then you should have received your refund (absent any contrary terms in your membership agreement). Did you try to go up the management ladder? This is really an aberation in my Y experience. I don't believe that it would have happened to you at any Y with which I have ever been affiliated. Sorry you have gone through such a negative experience. I don't think that your experience is representative of most Y's around the country. carl

Originally posted by SWinkleblech I'm scared one day I'm going to be doing a flip turn and run right into one. You're scared of that? I'd say it would send the kid in question a strong message. This seems to be the only thing that works.

My pool at Beckenham has 3 lanes,slow,medium and fast,ok.Well,why do slow/medium paced breaststrokers insist on swimming in the fast lane????Even if a guy is doing free at a medium speed he will be faster than most breaststrokers.When you touch their heels to let them know that you are there all they do is carry on at their ploddingly slow speed and then stop you from overtaking them at the turn by cutting across you:mad:

Ugh, I hate people like that. We get a break every year for spring break. I go to the local pool. It wouldn't be so bad but they don't even try and get into lanes they are fit for. I mean I wouldn't even try and swim with an Olympic swimmer, well maybe Beard :D unless I really had to. I don't mind sharing lanes, but please at least let us be somewhat close in speed. On a related note are there people on your team who don't seem to know how to use a lane? There are at least 3-4 people on my team who always make their turn on the right hand side of the lane. I'm almost always running into them because they are still in my half of the lane at the flags. This annoys me to no end as I have to slow down to keep from getting hit and then I don't get over enough to make my own turn properly.