Dear posters--
My boys swim on a YMCA swim team. Unfortunately the aquatics director is a clueless fool who is hostile to youth swimming. We have a great coach, but the team's ability to grow is severely handicapped because the aquatics director will only allow three lanes in the afternoon for the team. Apparently the Y has a policy to always keep lanes open for lap swimmers. Worse, the YMCA in the neighboring town had to shut down their pool, which left over a hundred boys and girls with no place to swim. Believe it or not, my YMCA (which is independent of Y national) refused to expand its team to accommodate these kids. I am working on a letter to the board of my YMCA asking them to change their policy. I'd like to bring up points related to:
--the benefits of youth swimming
--what's unique about youth swimming compared to other sports
--why a small team (25) diminishes the team experience (relays, etc.)
--any other thoughts
The whole situation is ridiculous and hopefully we can make a persuasive case to the board to change its policy. Thanks so much.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, no, my Y does not have any organized masters swimming program.
I have to say you are in a very tough situation. The Y's insistence to always keep a couple of lanes open is a problem nationwide for youth swimming. It takes a very persistent group of members to battle the forces of the seniors who will raise holy hell morning, noon and night about losing two lanes for 2 hours a day for 6 weeks.
What you should do is gather information from Ys that do work to accomodate their youth teams. If you PM me, I can help out here.
This is an uphill battle you have on your hands and a primary reason I left the Y for swimming. It's gets too complicated and political when all you really want to do is swim.
I have to say you are in a very tough situation. The Y's insistence to always keep a couple of lanes open is a problem nationwide for youth swimming. It takes a very persistent group of members to battle the forces of the seniors who will raise holy hell morning, noon and night about losing two lanes for 2 hours a day for 6 weeks.
What you should do is gather information from Ys that do work to accomodate their youth teams. If you PM me, I can help out here.
This is an uphill battle you have on your hands and a primary reason I left the Y for swimming. It's gets too complicated and political when all you really want to do is swim.
