Well, due to my schedule this week, I couldn't make my regular morning workouts for a few days, and decided to get in a workout at a nearby city pool. I had no idea what I was in for... I had called ahead, and they assured me that they always have 'at least 2 lanes' available for lap swimming.
When I arrived, there were 2 lanes setup for lap swimming. However, 1 lane had 2 guys swimming side-by-side, the other (along the edge) had a group of kids going back and forth while holding onto the wall. Despite repeated requests from the lifeguards after they saw me waiting, the kids didn't get out of the way (perhaps a language problem).
Anyway, the best way to get rid of stragglers in the lane turned out to just getting in and swimming!! I think after they saw me, especially doing a few flip turns, everyone quickly moved out of the way. Actually, I got in a nice workout (hard to think up things on my own when I'm used to a coach), and had few interruptions.
Not bad for the $1.50 admission I paid to get in. And who said it was expensive to swim here.... Plus a few people approached to ask me about swimming.
Tim
Parents
Former Member
I am so relieved to read these posts! What has been expressed is how I too have felt in the public pool environment! I thought all this frustration was of my own making --and some of it was, but feeling annoyed when kids are bouncing around in the lane while I was trying to get a few laps in, I was, well, feeling angered. After that, I felt bad to say the least!
I try to remember that swimming etiquette is learned through others in the swimming community. Kids don't realize or know the rules of circle swimming, staying out of lane lines, or not standing on kick boards, using other's training items like paddles or pull buoys etc. because they are not part of our swimming culture. Granted basic respect for other people's belongings should be universal, and for the most part, my "training stuff" is looked after when I am doing laps by the life guards or other lap swimmers in the lanes. It's a public pool. This is part of the experience.
I am so relieved to read these posts! What has been expressed is how I too have felt in the public pool environment! I thought all this frustration was of my own making --and some of it was, but feeling annoyed when kids are bouncing around in the lane while I was trying to get a few laps in, I was, well, feeling angered. After that, I felt bad to say the least!
I try to remember that swimming etiquette is learned through others in the swimming community. Kids don't realize or know the rules of circle swimming, staying out of lane lines, or not standing on kick boards, using other's training items like paddles or pull buoys etc. because they are not part of our swimming culture. Granted basic respect for other people's belongings should be universal, and for the most part, my "training stuff" is looked after when I am doing laps by the life guards or other lap swimmers in the lanes. It's a public pool. This is part of the experience.
