Swim Rant

Not that different from some other rants... but it peeved me today. I watched a geriatric guy, complete with diaper rash, get into his suit, and go into the pool without showering. I don't really begrudge him the entire lane he took up -- I may make it to that age some day. But I couldn't get the increased bacteria count in the pool out of my head. And then when he was done (just shorter than my workout) he went into the shower and THEN he spends 20 minutes cleaning himself carefully! Right now I'm writing up a living/dying will that instructs everyone I know to just shoot me if I do that when I'm in my dotage (just kidding - but wish I could).

I don't understand the logic of scheduling a Villanova Masters workout at 4PM. We are not in high school so most masters swimmers don't get done work til 5PM on a good freaking day!!!!! I know, I know, it is all the about Adult Water Polo practice that goes on at my pool. We, the masters program, are like those annoying *** stepchildren. Gosh, I can get a more convenient practice time at my former age group club.

How about those who complain to coaches for yardage rather then work on improving technique through questions to correct swim drills.

OK - normally I don't care so much, but it has become an avalanche of little things. Maybe its the end of season rave. Outdoor pool that is much too warm - 86+ at 5 am no less No pace clocks at all - they removed the outdoor mounted pace clocks and the portable 31" pace clock has "dissapppeared". Inside pool pace clock is new, but it skips or sticks - so you can't trust the times. Maybe they removed the outdoor clocks so no one would know what time it is and stay longer at the pool - a la Vegas with the interior lights. Half the lights in the pool (at 5 am it is dark) don't work, and sometimes they have removed them from the housing and it is a little disconcerting. They lock the storage cage and we don't have access to pull bouys and kick boards - they are for "swim lessons" and they don't want them stolen, but the locker that has the foam barbells and floatation belts is wide open. I'm sorry but who steals pull bouys or kickboards at 5 am. Hot showers - especially outside, are an option for no apparent reason - the pool can be body temp, but the shower rarely breaks room temp.

Just a beginner here swimming (lap) for 14 months, I do have some ranting to steam that has built up. I'll try to post one's I haven't seen here: 1) Swimming hard daily to find training makes me slower. One of the reason's I am joining the local USMS:), I have got to be doing many things wrong, technique and training. 2) Bring all my gear to the base pool before work to get in a work out then finding the pool's hours have changed for the 4th time this season or it rained once and closed for the day. Last year I showed up thinking they were still open for the summer but they were filling the pool with neutralized water and stocking it with bass for a youth sportman event! 3) Unfortunately I noticed on several occasions at my gym individuals jumping in the pool directly from the #2 stalls without showering. Being a microbilogist, I am cursed with certain knowledge (chlorine only kill's surface microbes of suspended %$@!) Glad I read through this thread, if I do start competitively, I will at least know some manners while training Edited, just thought of another: 4) Not knowing if I'm swimming in meters or yards and know one else seems to know either

Steve, Count your strokes. SCM will be more strokes than SCY.

I agree and support all your rants. Occaisionally kids swim at LA Fitness (I swim there once or twice per week) and the rules say no one under 18 can be in the pool. When I complain the workers say they have no way to check their ID's. Duh.....most 10-12 year olds do not look 18! There is one guy who drops his downs syndrome child off alone in the pool. The young man can swim a little bit but it worries me and I can't take my eyes off him in fear that he might need my help. Last time he was at the pool he was going to do a dive in the 3' (it's posted NO DIVING!) I stopped and convinced him to "jump feet first". I just worry about people getting hurt due to unsatisfactory supervision.

I swim at my local gym's pool. There are three lanes and a variety of characters that use the pool. My rants are below: 1. People that DO NOT shower before entering the pool. They will come out of the steam room/sauna and jump into the pool. 2. Colonge/perfume...ugh. 3. People "surfing" the lane lines. I am constantly telling people to please do not sit on the lane lines. I've seen lanes lines break when I was in college, and it is not a pretty sight. 4. People wearing ALL of their clothes in the pool. Please people, leave your jeans and T-shirts in your bag and wear a dang swimsuit. It is obvious that you are overweight, but so are 9/10s of the people at the gym. NO ONE CARES!!! We are all there to workout, so please, find a swimsuit!!! 5. And, last but not least, and the most annoying of all: people/parents DUMPING their kids in the pool while they relax in the spa/steam room/sauna. These kids are loud, obnoxious, and can't swim. They dart across all of the lanes playing tag. They are diving when 3 feet of water!!! Yes, I know CPR and basic lifesaving skills, but it is not my responsibility as a patron of the pool/gym to save your kid's life, because you are too lazy to supervise them!!!! I feel better now. Totally with you on #3,4 and 5 ... but, really, wasn't chlorine invented for #1 and #2? Intellectually, I get your point on those, but I grew up swimming and we NEVER showered before going in the pool for workout no matter how sweaty we got on drylands. Now, when I'm forced to shower before entering a pool, it seems to ruin that blissful, cleansing feel I get when diving in dry.

Arriving at my morning swim, 45 minutes later than normal, I walked into the locker room to find an older gentleman who "fins" nearly everyday at the same time as I swim. "You done already?" he asks. "No, just running late today, but decided to come anyway." With that I disrobed, grabbed my towel and suit and headed for the shower. "Whoa, are you going to take a shower BEFORE you swim?" "Yes.""Ha ha ha, thats the craziest thing I ever heard of, why I NEVER take a shower BEFORE I swim, why are you doing that?" Not wanting to be rude and point out the three signs that say you must shower before swimming, I mearly pointed out that by getting ones hair wet before swimming made for better hair condition at end of swim. "Oh, I dont have that problem" as he rubbed his bald head. ....Sigh

I swim at my local gym's pool. There are three lanes and a variety of characters that use the pool. My rants are below: 1. People that DO NOT shower before entering the pool. They will come out of the steam room/sauna and jump into the pool. 2. Colonge/perfume...ugh. 3. People "surfing" the lane lines. I am constantly telling people to please do not sit on the lane lines. I've seen lanes lines break when I was in college, and it is not a pretty sight. 4. People wearing ALL of their clothes in the pool. Please people, leave your jeans and T-shirts in your bag and wear a dang swimsuit. It is obvious that you are overweight, but so are 9/10s of the people at the gym. NO ONE CARES!!! We are all there to workout, so please, find a swimsuit!!! 5. And, last but not least, and the most annoying of all: people/parents DUMPING their kids in the pool while they relax in the spa/steam room/sauna. These kids are loud, obnoxious, and can't swim. They dart across all of the lanes playing tag. They are diving when 3 feet of water!!! Yes, I know CPR and basic lifesaving skills, but it is not my responsibility as a patron of the pool/gym to save your kid's life, because you are too lazy to supervise them!!!! I feel better now.