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
Originally posted by swimpastor
We ameliorate the risk of auto accidents not by outlawing cars and drivers but rather by establishing traffic laws. ... I am suggesting that we can craft a set of rules for qualified and trained adult swimmers using starting blocks at appropriate times and places that ameliorates the risk to others that y'all are so concerned about.
It seems to me that you have encountered the designated "traffic laws" at your YMCA regarding block starts.
1) Can't do it at all except under appropriate times/conditions.
2) Appropriate times/conditions are during formal team/coached workouts.
All the rest of this thread contains little more than people's speculations about why those "traffic laws" exist.
Originally posted by swimpastor
We ameliorate the risk of auto accidents not by outlawing cars and drivers but rather by establishing traffic laws. ... I am suggesting that we can craft a set of rules for qualified and trained adult swimmers using starting blocks at appropriate times and places that ameliorates the risk to others that y'all are so concerned about.
It seems to me that you have encountered the designated "traffic laws" at your YMCA regarding block starts.
1) Can't do it at all except under appropriate times/conditions.
2) Appropriate times/conditions are during formal team/coached workouts.
All the rest of this thread contains little more than people's speculations about why those "traffic laws" exist.
