I remember the noodler thread of a long time ago, and I just kinda laughed at the idea of how annoyed some swimmers were with the "noodling". Today, I had a particularly ugly encounter with some noodlers.
I haven't swam since my unfortunate exit, after the 200 IM, at Nationals. Tuesday and Wednesday I had really bad food poisoning that had me laid out the entire time (when I wasn't yakking my guts out!), and on top of it all, I'm one month pregnant with number 4. (Happy about pregnancy, not so much about the other things).
So, my first day back swimming was today at the gym, on this beautiful, sunny 75 degree day. Ahhh. There's a 5 lane 25m pool. Albeit too warm because of the charming noodlers!
I got in, swam an easy 1000, and then the noodler class started. I was in lane 2 as lane 1 is really narrow. I knew that the noodlers get lanes 3-5. I went to push off the wall and a noodler was about 7 meters out right in front of me. Good thing I looked, or she would have had some owies. I stopped and looked at her (she couldn't see the glare in my eyes because I had my goggles on). She just stood there looking at me. A "friend" of hers said, "Do you want to move over?" She asked. I said, "No. I don't." To which she replied, "We get three lanes." I said, "You HAVE three lanes." Apparently, when a lane line isn't in, that counts as one! Long and short of it is I moved over.
It gets better. The "lady" (blue suit) who told me about how many lanes they get started chipping on me as I was swimming/kicking. I held my tongue for awhile and then suggested that she "grow up."
I finished 2,000m which was just right for me, now, and was sitting on the deck, while a guy who was obviously waiting for our ONE lane, got in. I was watching the noodlers noticing that of the 25 of them or so, they were all much older ladies or younger, MUCH heavier "ladies". I'm guessing over 300 pounds, which might account for their ill temper. Blue suit was probably pushing 350. As I was sitting their I saw her turn around, look right at me, and clear as day, say to her friend, "The b!t@h got out!" I couldn't believe my ears, was she kidding me?!
I walked over to her and from the side said, "Do you have a problem with me?" She said, "No. Why?" And I said, "I have a problem being called a b!t#h for no good reason." She didn't answer again, but her friend said, "She didn't say that." I told her that I clearly heard her. She said, "She doesn't even use words like that. She said, 'You got out.' " (Oh, they sound so similar! Plus it doesn't even make sense, she wasn't talking to me! Anyway...)
I said again, "If you have a problem I think you should talk to me." She still didn't answer. Her friend said, "If you have a problem, maybe you should go to the front desk." I said, "I'd rather work it out with you." So, I hadn't thought of going to the front desk, but it sounded good.
The manager came over and I pointed them out and he said he'd give me a call... we'll see.
I couldn't believe the rudeness. I'm sure not all noodlers are that rude, but she was over the top.
Parents
Former Member
Oooooh - count me in with (S)he-man's plan! :Lurking:
I actually switched from the Y to another health club for this reason where I was assured the lap swimming areas are for lap swimming only and the noodle classes are in the "family fun zone" area. (The two areas are separated by a bulk head).
Everything was great until one week when people in the lap swimming area weren't swimming, they were either playing or (and I'm not kidding) walking up and down the lane.
Long story short, I complained to the Aquatic's Director. When the situation did not change, I complained to the head life guard.
Karen - keep complaining, in an assertive, yet calm and controlled manner, in addition make a suggestion or two of how to resolve the situation.
At my club, I pointed out that the rules are strictly enforced everywhere but the pool and that the same type of rule breaking would never be allowed on a treadmill or other gym equipment. I suggested that at a minimum when the lap lanes are full, have those who are "playing" and not actually attempting to swim laps go into the family fun zone and I have noticed that the life guards now enforce this rule.
Good luck & Congrats on #4!
BTW, when I win the lottery or become extremely rich and famous, I am going to build a state of the art swimming facility. One pool for those who like it warm, another pool set at the usual competitive swimming temp as well as a bunch of individual endless pools for OW swimmings who can't get outside.
Oooooh - count me in with (S)he-man's plan! :Lurking:
I actually switched from the Y to another health club for this reason where I was assured the lap swimming areas are for lap swimming only and the noodle classes are in the "family fun zone" area. (The two areas are separated by a bulk head).
Everything was great until one week when people in the lap swimming area weren't swimming, they were either playing or (and I'm not kidding) walking up and down the lane.
Long story short, I complained to the Aquatic's Director. When the situation did not change, I complained to the head life guard.
Karen - keep complaining, in an assertive, yet calm and controlled manner, in addition make a suggestion or two of how to resolve the situation.
At my club, I pointed out that the rules are strictly enforced everywhere but the pool and that the same type of rule breaking would never be allowed on a treadmill or other gym equipment. I suggested that at a minimum when the lap lanes are full, have those who are "playing" and not actually attempting to swim laps go into the family fun zone and I have noticed that the life guards now enforce this rule.
Good luck & Congrats on #4!
BTW, when I win the lottery or become extremely rich and famous, I am going to build a state of the art swimming facility. One pool for those who like it warm, another pool set at the usual competitive swimming temp as well as a bunch of individual endless pools for OW swimmings who can't get outside.