Starting Block Annoyance

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 06:17:26 GMT

Unfortunately, it's no joke. I have yet to go to a U.S. pool where there wasn't a policy against letting swimmers use the starting blocks Same thing here in Canada (or Ottawa, at least), City pools during public Adult Lane swims. They actually take the starting blocks away (and store them) during public swims. And though most lifeguards know the regular swimmers (and their abilities) they still will NOT let anyone dive off the shallower end. Afraid of lawsuits (even though I offered to sign any number of waivers). Pretty soon they (the Municipal politicos) will make us wear crash helmets and obtain a walking licence just to walk out our front doors. (Guess part of this rant also belongs in the other "rant" thread.) Cheers

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:41:36 GMT

I will probably regret saying this but, over the holidays I attended a swim camp with a "dryland" component after the swim. On one of the days we did a sort of aerobics in the water activity, and while no noodles were involved it was a pretty rigorous activity. The effort needed to overcome water resistance made things pretty hard and I definitely elevated my heart rate. It was actually kind of fun in a "omg, I can't believe I'm doing this" kind of way. Just don't eat any cheeseburgers and we won't tell Geek.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:03:04 GMT

I will probably regret saying this but, over the holidays I attended a swim camp with a "dryland" component after the swim. On one of the days we did a sort of aerobics in the water activity, and while no noodles were involved it was a pretty rigorous activity. The effort needed to overcome water resistance made things pretty hard and I definitely elevated my heart rate. It was actually kind of fun in a "omg, I can't believe I'm doing this" kind of way. Is it true you only get tired doing that stuff when themusic is very fast.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 07:24:36 GMT

I will probably regret saying this but, over the holidays I attended a swim camp with a "dryland" component after the swim. On one of the days we did a sort of aerobics in the water activity, and while no noodles were involved it was a pretty rigorous activity. The effort needed to overcome water resistance made things pretty hard and I definitely elevated my heart rate. It was actually kind of fun in a "omg, I can't believe I'm doing this" kind of way. Lindsay... a New plastic-flower cap is on it's way to you via UPS :p :rofl:

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 07:17:48 GMT

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:59:39 GMT

Movement as opposed to being a stationary object? I'm not sure that some of these classes can be considered exercise, particularly if there is no sustained elevation in heart rate.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:20:47 GMT

the Cheeseburger Bill, Anyone regularly eating cheeseburgers and noodling, deserves what they get. But they definitely do not deserve damages from health clubs.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:43:11 GMT

If the people who noodle would not otherwise be doing any excercise at all, it is probably of some benefit to them. At least getting them moving. Which would be better than them not moving... For them anyway:) I agree moving is better than not moving. Maybe noodling helps keep your body/joints more flexible. But is it really "exercise" that produces some other medical benefit? It's a little troublesome that clubs are worried about being sued for lack of noodler weight loss. If that's true, then the noodlers may soon be noodleless if all those waivers they may be forced to sign are really worthless.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

FlyQueen — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:27:11 GMT

Yeah today when I swam I asked the lifeguard if I could dive off the block and she said no. The water is 6 feet deep, there is a 0 percent change that I could get hurt. Although one time at my other pool I was on the block and reached down with my foot to test the water temperature and I slipped and busted my ass on the side of the pool. But that was stupid. But still there is no way you can get hurt using a starting block in a deep pool. Ask Nick Brunelli about that ...

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:43:22 GMT

I'm not sure that some of these classes can be considered exercise, particularly if there is no sustained elevation in heart rate. Doesn't seem like "exercise" to me either. But then I know tris and runners that, when injured, use aquajoggers instead of swimming. I found this of interest from wikipedia. Maybe health clubs are the next target after food retailers. (Not sure why certain parts appear in blue.) The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act, also known as the Cheeseburger Bill, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2004, but did not receive a Senate vote. The bill was reintroduced in 2005 by Florida Republican Congressman Ric Keller. On October 19, 2005, it once again passed the House with a 306-120 vote (Keller actually missed the vote due to being rushed to the hospital.) The bill will now be sent to the Senate. The Act aims to protect producers and retailers of foods—such as McDonald's Corporation—from an increasing number of suits and class action suits by obese consumers. To date these suits have been turned down by the courts, sometimes in strong terms. Using precedent and expertise from suits brought in the 1990s against tobacco corporations, lawyers such as John Banzhaf hope to use the courts to pressure the food industry into providing more prominent health advisory information about its products. Banzhaf, founder of Action on Smoking and Health or ASH, argues that the joint liability established between tobacco companies and smokers will soon be recognized as being similarly applicable in the case of food retailers and their customers. He anticipates that more health warnings would change consumer behavior, contributing to a solution to the obesity epidemic. Many state legislatures are considering or have passed their own versions of the bill

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:40:55 GMT

Ah, the Geek emerges from his cave, cranky as the dickens, nostalgic for the days when the forum crackled with viscious, vulpine vituperation of the most uncivil nature... That was when the forum had some real entertainment value. At least it's still got some great purple prose. If noodlers aren't losing any weight, which I'm sure they're not judging from how slowly they move, is there any medical benefit at all from sitting in a pool with a noodle or other floatation devices? I'm sure these classes are not being pitched as weight loss guarantee programs, but I guess there may some implicit message that it is somehow beneficial. But how?

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:43:20 GMT

. He said the rec center was beginning to worry about being sued by a noodler for failure to lose weight. Seriously. i suppose if this class was advertised as a guaranteed weight loss program, they would have a good case. anyway, its probably better if they leave the pool clear for swimming and noodle on deck.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

swim4me — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:49:56 GMT

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:25:21 GMT

Tonight, I was doing a nice 3000 recovery swim at my local rec center. Wasn't using the starting blocks of course. I happened to have a conversation with a triathlete/triathlon coach from another rec center (no use of starting blocks there either of course). He said that his rec center had concerns about the aqua-aerobics/noodling classes. Apparently, over a 12 week period, none of the noodlers were losing any weight and sometimes gaining weight. (So were the instructors unless they taught the course on deck.) He opined that immersion in somewhat cold water for 45 minutes with gatorade at the ready was only conducive to gaining, not losing, weight. He said the rec center was beginning to worry about being sued by a noodler for failure to lose weight. Seriously. Geek: What are you doing now?

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

aquageek — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:58:39 GMT

I don't even work for the industry anymore, but my wife does, and not in the sales end.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 17:06:55 GMT

anyone who would consider drinking the so called "coffee" that is served by mc d, deserves what they get, be it a burned crotch or big$, or both:laugh2: Now "burnt big$" sounds painful. :rofl: I stayed awaked from 11-4am drving across PA one night thanks to a large cup of McD coffee. It works---you have to give it that at least!

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:40:46 GMT

anyone who would consider drinking the so called "coffee" that is served by mc d, deserves what they get, be it a burned crotch or big$, or both:laugh2:

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:28:10 GMT

Frivolous lawsuits involve lawyers who agree to represent the plaintiffs, n'est-ce pas?

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 14:35:19 GMT

Alternatively, we can have further exposure of igorance on insurance matters, which is actually more entertaining. A lawyer vs. an insurance agent......kind of like godzilla vs. mothra. You don't care who wins, and you know a lot of stuff is going to get broken before the end of the movie. Bring it on. Where is jimmy the greek when you need him.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

Former Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:45:03 GMT

Ah, the Geek emerges from his cave, cranky as the dickens, nostalgic for the days when the forum crackled with viscious, vulpine vituperation of the most uncivil nature...

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 12:26:18 GMT

anyone who would consider drinking the so called "coffee" that is served by mc d, deserves what they get, be it a burned crotch or big$, or both:laugh2: How true! Yucky stuff. I think they deserve the burned crotch, but not the big $. That's what drives up insurance premiums. I'm sure Geek could elucidate further.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:35:44 GMT

Frivolous lawsuits involve lawyers who agree to represent the plaintiffs, n'est-ce pas? Of course. But I'm not a personal injury plaintiff's lawyer. That's why I said ridiculous lawsuits were not in my line of work. I guess they're just in Geek's line of work, as he has been forced to pay to defend the irritating frivolous lawsuits. Of course, he may be denying coverage on some meritorious ones too. However, I'm sure the ridiculous litigious McDonald's plaintiffs were very happy with their hot coffee proceeds. I guess McDonald's should have had a valid waiver or a "drink hot coffee at your own risk" sign.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:07:24 GMT

Hence, them not being worth the paper they are written on. As a family that relies on the insurance industry for our income I don't need a thesis to know they are worthless. Mr. Brief Poster/Zinger: I wasn't trying to give you a thesis, just clarifying for others who may not be in the insurance or legal industry. :thhbbb: They were free to ignore my comments, as always. As a family that relies on the legal industry for our income, I don't need an insurance man's input to know that there is difference between enforcability and complete immunization. Where would these entities be without enforceable waivers? Even more screwed. But ridiculous lawsuits are not in my line of work anyway. I have, however, represented insurance companies.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 10:36:17 GMT

A lawyer vs. an insurance agent......kind of like godzilla vs. mothra. You don't care who wins, and you know a lot of stuff is going to get broken before the end of the movie. Bring it on. Where is jimmy the greek when you need him. Aw, if you don't care, why are you readin'?:thhbbb: I somehow don't think that Geek is an "agent" though ... We got Cruise; we don't need no Jimmy the Greek. Peter: I did notice that the Geek crawled out of his cave on the "Biggest Loser" thread, claiming that scyfreestyler typed the first "quality" post in a long while. Having just read portions of the closed "The Fastest Age" thread, I think we're now all a tame lot compared to the prior "vicious vulpine vituperation" on this forum. We're probably boring him.

RE: Starting Block Annoyance

The Fortress — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 08:29:35 GMT

We can go back to starting blocks issue or the incessant kising up that is pervasive on this forum lately. Alternatively, we can have further exposure of igorance on insurance matters, which is actually more entertaining. I myself have been suffering from un-Mindful neural imprinting defects recently. So you must be referring (among others) to your buddy Gull, formerly Gull80, who apparently is quite busy Mindfully honing his technique to do some guitar smashing in March. But you're probably right. This is much more entertaining. I'll tell you how you're wrong about legal matters, and you can continue to correct my ignorance on insurance matters. How much insurance must pools take out to permit us the luxury of swimming in them? And why do we have to bother to sign waivers to swim at masters meets if they're worthless?