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.
Former Member
Anyone ever been forced into showering or reprimanded for not showering before entering the pool?
Funny story related to that:
I worked at a pool where one of the elder women had complained a few too many times to the manager about us not enforcing every single of the 15 pages of rules to the T. She yapped away at him at the front desk and then went through the locker room to the pool. The mgr. waited outside the locker room exit, and as she came out, dry, he asked if she intended on taking a shower before she entered the pool. She continued walking, dry. Didn't hear much from her after that.
:dedhorse:
That's a good story. I have never showered before entering a pool. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone else shower either.
Frank:
Going swimming with drugs? Drinking and swimming simultaneously? I guess it must have happened for the Y to view that as a threat. Seems pretty far-fetched.
Going swimming with drugs? Drinking and swimming simultaneously? I guess it must have happened for the Y to view that as a threat. Seems pretty far-fetched.
What if you pop your pills or fling down a half pint of Jack and then hustle into the pool...
Hi friends, from the USMS rule book: "Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious and controlled manner. Diving shall be permitted only in designated lanes" (102.4.2).
Isn't this a meet rule, not a practice rule?
I'm not in favor of the "womb to tomb" protection that appears to dominate risk averse aquatic facilities or other aspects of life. (See, e.g., "Biggest Loser" thread) We should be able to sign ironclad, unambiguous waivers and do starts in unoccupied lanes. The waivers could include a waiver of counsel and all liability except in the event that the starting blocks are defective or defectively maintained. No minors allowed on blocks to prevent horseplay. There is a reason adults have more rights than minors, so I'm not worried about excluding them. Minors probably make up 1% of lap swimmers anyway.
What about the ocean? Don't they post big "Swim at your own risk" signs or red flags to indicate damgerous currents. People swim anyway. Pools could post big "adults signing ironclad, unambiguous waivers may dive at their own risk in unoccupied lanes" signs. I'd just like to be able to practice a start if I'm not at an official masters practice.
Hi friends, from the USMS rule book: "Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious and controlled manner. Diving shall be permitted only in designated lanes" (102.4.2).
Also, one does not need to agree with rules, one just needs to agree to follow the rules. As a former lifeguard I can say that there is nothing more troublesome than a patron who thinks he or she is above the rules.
Hi friends, from the USMS rule book: "Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious and controlled manner. Diving shall be permitted only in designated lanes" (102.4.2).
Also, one does not need to agree with rules, one just needs to agree to follow the rules. As a former lifeguard I can say that there is nothing more troublesome than a patron who thinks he or she is above the rules.
Speed...rules are made to be broken...that's why they give you a whistle you know...
:)
What about the ocean? Don't they post big "Swim at your own risk" signs or red flags to indicate damgerous currents. People swim anyway. Pools could post big "adults signing ironclad, unambiguous waivers may dive at their own risk" signs. I'd just like to be able to practice a start if I'm not at an official masters practice.
Another good OW ocean sign could be "Warning: The Ocean has things that sting and bite in it!"
Isn't this a meet rule, not a practice rule?
I'm not in favor of the "womb to tomb" protection that appears to dominate risk averse aquatic facilities or other aspects of life. (See, e.g., "Biggest Loser" thread) We should be able to sign ironclad, unambiguous waivers and do starts in unoccupied lanes. The waivers could include a waiver of counsel and all liability except in the event that the starting blocks are defective or defectively maintained. No minors allowed on blocks to prevent horseplay. There is a reason adults have more rights than minors, so I'm not worried about excluding them. Minors probably make up 1% of lap swimmers anyway.
What about the ocean? Don't they post big "Swim at your own risk" signs or red flags to indicate damgerous currents. People swim anyway. Pools could post big "adults signing ironclad, unambiguous waivers may dive at their own risk" signs. I'd just like to be able to practice a start if I'm not at an official masters practice.
I posted a thread with the title swim activists. the group MDSA had lobbied for years to open a state park lake for responsible adult swimming. they were successful to a point... negotiations with the state brought about a limited access agreement , requiring swimmers to have a buddy present, pass a swim test, and swim only during hours when lifeguards are on duty (though nowhere near the adult swim area).
check out the thread and the website linked.
also linked in the post your pool site. some of you folks may find it interesting.
I used to swim at a Y that had the the cones. One day i asked the head lifeguard if i could practice starts. I explained htat I had ameet coming up. He said that it woudl be fine as long as I did when the pool manager was gone. This worked really well.
I have been told several times that you shouldn't practice starts with out some one watching you to check on your form.
the high school coach where i now live refuses to let the guys use a catch start. they have to use a tracj start. some of the guys didn't even know that there were two types of starts.
