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
I was just joshing and being my now sharkish self, although I don't want to cause our new mermaid any more anxiety!! :) I guarded a lot when young and sometimes had trouble keeping the eyes open. On the other hand, I have seen them fish swimmers out of the ocean who wandered in too far and got caught in tides a couple times. Sometimes there's nothing they can do if swimmers choose to swim during red flag times though. Maybe Jesse can give us his opinion of ocean guarding.
I would be without dear Mrs Stud and subsequent little Studs if she'd not been rescued at Coney Island when she was a teen. Now why she decided to go into the ocean and not be able to swim I don't know. She still is not happy about water, and even got all squrimy watching The Perfect Storm and The Guardian.
So at least I know if I need to get away for a bit I can head to the pool ;)
I was just joshing and being my now sharkish self, although I don't want to cause our new mermaid any more anxiety!! :) I guarded a lot when young and sometimes had trouble keeping the eyes open. On the other hand, I have seen them fish swimmers out of the ocean who wandered in too far and got caught in tides a couple times. Sometimes there's nothing they can do if swimmers choose to swim during red flag times though. Maybe Jesse can give us his opinion of ocean guarding.
I would be without dear Mrs Stud and subsequent little Studs if she'd not been rescued at Coney Island when she was a teen. Now why she decided to go into the ocean and not be able to swim I don't know. She still is not happy about water, and even got all squrimy watching The Perfect Storm and The Guardian.
So at least I know if I need to get away for a bit I can head to the pool ;)
