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
Thank you all for your valuable thoughts. I was hoping that I hadn't missed a newsflash about the perils of noodles - and it seems I haven't.
Rather, it seems that the aquatic madams have chased any and all fun right out of the pool for kids and turned the temp up to 85 degrees abandoning any and all who want a good workout (exercisers too). One could infer that they are now going to cater to a fanny dunking crowd. My guess is that the later crowd is much easier on the accident report?.
Soon, the cold, cold winter will end and the outdoor pools will open. Then our little group will be able to resume regular swimming. Unfortunately, the Y pool is the only game in town - without driving forever.
My filaments . . . my scales . . .
Thank you all for your valuable thoughts. I was hoping that I hadn't missed a newsflash about the perils of noodles - and it seems I haven't.
Rather, it seems that the aquatic madams have chased any and all fun right out of the pool for kids and turned the temp up to 85 degrees abandoning any and all who want a good workout (exercisers too). One could infer that they are now going to cater to a fanny dunking crowd. My guess is that the later crowd is much easier on the accident report?.
Soon, the cold, cold winter will end and the outdoor pools will open. Then our little group will be able to resume regular swimming. Unfortunately, the Y pool is the only game in town - without driving forever.
My filaments . . . my scales . . .
