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
Swim Pastor and Bob McAdams:
I think its fine if a facility chooses to set aside a lane or two for practice diving and they can make it work without endangering other swimmers; I'd join it. But, based on my pool's experience with springboard diving, I'm skeptical that they can and I don't want to see the burden of making it work put on a lifeguard who also has to watch the rest of the pool.
In any event, I wouldn't criticize a facility that doesn't choose to do that. I don't think there's any right (legal or moral) to *demand* that a Y (or any other facility) compromise a safety policy that's meant to protect all users and I don't think there's any legal or moral right to impose the risks that I'm willing to take on another user. "Liability" isn't the point -- the risk is real, liability or not. If the only reason to consider other people's safety is fear of lawsuits, lawsuits will be necessary.
And, once again, I wouldn't want to use any facility that's lax about enforcing safety rules.
To quote Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Your freedom to swing your arm ends where my nose begins."
That, I hope, is the last I have to say on this thread :).
Swim Pastor and Bob McAdams:
I think its fine if a facility chooses to set aside a lane or two for practice diving and they can make it work without endangering other swimmers; I'd join it. But, based on my pool's experience with springboard diving, I'm skeptical that they can and I don't want to see the burden of making it work put on a lifeguard who also has to watch the rest of the pool.
In any event, I wouldn't criticize a facility that doesn't choose to do that. I don't think there's any right (legal or moral) to *demand* that a Y (or any other facility) compromise a safety policy that's meant to protect all users and I don't think there's any legal or moral right to impose the risks that I'm willing to take on another user. "Liability" isn't the point -- the risk is real, liability or not. If the only reason to consider other people's safety is fear of lawsuits, lawsuits will be necessary.
And, once again, I wouldn't want to use any facility that's lax about enforcing safety rules.
To quote Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Your freedom to swing your arm ends where my nose begins."
That, I hope, is the last I have to say on this thread :).
