Recently, my home YMCA has decided to band the use of Noodles during family/open swim times. They cite the floating foam (which can be used as a reaching assist, be used as an instructional aid, fun "thingy", etc. if used properly) as a "safety hazard". Not only is the ban news to me, so is the "hazard" label. Our pool always has at least 2 lifeguards (for a 6 lane, 25 yd pool) during the open swim times and requires that parents/guardians remain in the immediate area - if not in the pool - with their children.
I think my aquatics department has been hijacked by two non-swimmers who are too busy making up crimes to focus on real issues such as inceased times/lanes for competitive swimmers, monitoring pool temps & chemicals, etc.
My questions are:
How many other facilities have banned such fun floating objects?
What types/kinds of accidents have you experienced with the Noodle?
Do you think they have a basis for their decision?
ps. The facility stocks and uses the banned items during swim lessons and exercise classes.
Parents
Former Member
As an adult, I can make a risk assessment on my ability to swim in a 3 1/2 foot deep pool.
While I fully undestand your point Bill, the mandating of lifeguards was not directed at just you, but for all swimmers too. Including the terminally stupid and wreckless among us who will do stupid and wreckless things, which lead to there or other's deminse. This then leads to the liablility issue.
This sort of liablily dodging has become neccessary, at least at indoor facilities, which try to promote a safe environment, and is frustrating for me too, when the pool is shut mid-workout because there is thunder...20 miles away.
I never understood why there needs to be a life guard on a beach but that's just me. I don't see how anyone is responsible for the ocean. It's water, it has waves, it get's rough.
Swim at your own risk; Parent's watch your own kids.
Then the ultimate baffler: blowing the whistle to get everyone out of the surf until you've packed up and then everyone can go back in.
Just blow the whistle and wave bye-bye.
As an adult, I can make a risk assessment on my ability to swim in a 3 1/2 foot deep pool.
While I fully undestand your point Bill, the mandating of lifeguards was not directed at just you, but for all swimmers too. Including the terminally stupid and wreckless among us who will do stupid and wreckless things, which lead to there or other's deminse. This then leads to the liablility issue.
This sort of liablily dodging has become neccessary, at least at indoor facilities, which try to promote a safe environment, and is frustrating for me too, when the pool is shut mid-workout because there is thunder...20 miles away.
I never understood why there needs to be a life guard on a beach but that's just me. I don't see how anyone is responsible for the ocean. It's water, it has waves, it get's rough.
Swim at your own risk; Parent's watch your own kids.
Then the ultimate baffler: blowing the whistle to get everyone out of the surf until you've packed up and then everyone can go back in.
Just blow the whistle and wave bye-bye.
