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
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.
...
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.
Originally posted by aquageek
First off, say three hail Mary's and absolve yourself of such venemous thoughts regarding Ys.
Secondly, you do indeed live adjacent to counties with Masters programs where you can dive off blocks until you are defrocked for activity unbecoming a pastor. There are a ton of practice times around the greater Charlotte area. Send me a private note and we'll get you all happy again.
It seems like swimpastor has three choices: arrange to swim during supervised age group workouts; arrange to have a coach on deck during his preferred swim slot; swim with one of the Masters programs in the greater Charlotte area. The wording of his post seems to indicate that options are available but he doesn't like them, which is different from having no options.
I do sympathize completely, I have really limited opportunities to practice dives, and it shows.
Originally posted by swimpastor
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.
...
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.
Originally posted by aquageek
First off, say three hail Mary's and absolve yourself of such venemous thoughts regarding Ys.
Secondly, you do indeed live adjacent to counties with Masters programs where you can dive off blocks until you are defrocked for activity unbecoming a pastor. There are a ton of practice times around the greater Charlotte area. Send me a private note and we'll get you all happy again.
It seems like swimpastor has three choices: arrange to swim during supervised age group workouts; arrange to have a coach on deck during his preferred swim slot; swim with one of the Masters programs in the greater Charlotte area. The wording of his post seems to indicate that options are available but he doesn't like them, which is different from having no options.
I do sympathize completely, I have really limited opportunities to practice dives, and it shows.
