I started diving off of starting blocks when I was eight years old. I am now 51, and train at the Y, almost always alone, as there is no Masters program in the county where I live, or in any of the immediately adjacent counties. (There are several age group programs.) I want to work on my starts, but none of the Y's where I swim will let me use the blocks - saying that a national Y policy prohibits anyone from using the blocks unless a team/club coach is on the deck.
I have never heard of anyone suing a YMCA because of an accident on a starting block.
Yes, perhaps a coach would be valuable to me in this regard, but I'm not looking for a coach - I need and want a cooperative facility. The age groups' program schedules are not conducive to my schedule, and besides, the age group coaches already have enough on their hands during those times with lanes full of kids working their programs. I also am not excited about having to dodge those kids to do the work I need to do.
Anyone find a way to conquer this litigation-fear-induced insanity yet? Thank you.
Parents
Former Member
So true that they are afraid of accidents. Just last friday a 10 year old boy hit his head on the bottom at my daughters practice. I called her from my son's meet and she was full of the news of them boarding him and taking him by ambulance to the hospital. Fortunately he was OK.
My daughter also hit her head when she was 6. She was working with the coach, I was in the next lane lap swimming. She had done about 10 dives perfectly and the coach asked me to stop and watch her because she was so pleased with her start. I must have jinxed her because she went straight down and hit. Luckily she was only 40 pounds and the water was 5 foot, and she was OK, but it is a very sick feeling to see that and know there is nothing you can do to stop it.
I know, a little off the subject, but it is why high dives are being removed and blocks are being removed and now in our town, deep water is being removed from the lap swim. Unfortunately, you take these away, people never learn how to do it.
So true that they are afraid of accidents. Just last friday a 10 year old boy hit his head on the bottom at my daughters practice. I called her from my son's meet and she was full of the news of them boarding him and taking him by ambulance to the hospital. Fortunately he was OK.
My daughter also hit her head when she was 6. She was working with the coach, I was in the next lane lap swimming. She had done about 10 dives perfectly and the coach asked me to stop and watch her because she was so pleased with her start. I must have jinxed her because she went straight down and hit. Luckily she was only 40 pounds and the water was 5 foot, and she was OK, but it is a very sick feeling to see that and know there is nothing you can do to stop it.
I know, a little off the subject, but it is why high dives are being removed and blocks are being removed and now in our town, deep water is being removed from the lap swim. Unfortunately, you take these away, people never learn how to do it.
