The Rec Center I occasionally swim at has starting blocks. I am aware that is a swim device that I am supposed to use once in awhile. The pool is very deep and used for daily swim team practice and some meets. Yet, there is always a bright yellow cone placed on the blocks during lap swimming hours. No one may use the starting blocks at this time. I find it irritating. No one could possibly get hurt unless they were especially idiotic. I guess they're worried about lawsuits. I saw someone doing backstroke starts once, but who wants to do those? This practice will discourage me from ever entering a non-OW event.
The other USA problem is that if they allow anyone to use the blocks during open swim, then some goof will sue unless everyone gets to, regardless of their skills.
Only in America do we outfit facilities with expensive systems and equipment that we then disallow the use of for fear of lawsuits!
But then, we must be prejudiced against swimming :shakeshead: as free weights and weight machines don't require individual waivers in alot of places!
Go figure!
The other USA problem is that if they allow anyone to use the blocks during open swim, then some goof will sue unless everyone gets to, regardless of their skills.
Only in America do we outfit facilities with expensive systems and equipment that we then disallow the use of for fear of lawsuits!
But then, we must be prejudiced against swimming :shakeshead: as free weights and weight machines don't require individual waivers in alot of places!
Go figure!
