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.
Not wanting or meaning in any way shape or form to demean our great American diving team, or the way they have worked hard to admirably represent themselves, their families, their sport, and our country at these just finished Athens games, I will suggest that our wholesale societal surrender to both trial lawyers and insurance companies is very closely related to the fact that the American diving program is not bringing any hardware home from the games. No evil diving boards in YMCA's or at community pools where kids could first get enthused about the sport = no diving medals. (Please don't question whether or not I value Olympic medals more than I value human life - I believe the risks of having diving boards is manageable, and honestly believe that this all is really more about financial loss rather than about the potential loss of life or limb.)
Last week I received notice of two class action lawsuit settlements I am eligible to participate in. (It won't be long until I receive as many class action lawsuit notices each week as I do pre-approved credit card offers.) In both instances, neither of the defendants who have agreed to the lawyers demands wronged me, even though the lawyers told them they did. (Whether or not a judge would have agreed is immaterial, as who needs the hassle of letting it go to court.) If I were to subscribe to either of the settlements, I might get a couple of bucks - literally - but what are the lawyers getting? I shudder to wonder.
Not wanting or meaning in any way shape or form to demean our great American diving team, or the way they have worked hard to admirably represent themselves, their families, their sport, and our country at these just finished Athens games, I will suggest that our wholesale societal surrender to both trial lawyers and insurance companies is very closely related to the fact that the American diving program is not bringing any hardware home from the games. No evil diving boards in YMCA's or at community pools where kids could first get enthused about the sport = no diving medals. (Please don't question whether or not I value Olympic medals more than I value human life - I believe the risks of having diving boards is manageable, and honestly believe that this all is really more about financial loss rather than about the potential loss of life or limb.)
Last week I received notice of two class action lawsuit settlements I am eligible to participate in. (It won't be long until I receive as many class action lawsuit notices each week as I do pre-approved credit card offers.) In both instances, neither of the defendants who have agreed to the lawyers demands wronged me, even though the lawyers told them they did. (Whether or not a judge would have agreed is immaterial, as who needs the hassle of letting it go to court.) If I were to subscribe to either of the settlements, I might get a couple of bucks - literally - but what are the lawyers getting? I shudder to wonder.
