Death to all Noodlers!

I've yet to have a noodler incident. Honestly though - after reading these stories, I kind of want one. Just to get a feel for what its like :-D -Michael P.

I am George, my wife is Chuckie but you have the right to call me any thing you want. But please don't call me late for a dinner. The best way to avoid noodlers is quit swimming. Noodlers have the right to swim it is a right quaranteed by the US Constitution (I think) Ooops, sorry, "George". Is that really the BEST way to avoid noodlers? It is A way, but not the BEST way, in my opinion. I think we can all co-exist nicely, the way we all used to do at the pool where I swim- that is, until a few of them decided otherwise. They have as much right as I do, but the point I've been making about my situation is that they are DEPRIVING me of my right! They are doing so by banning me from the pool during their class, even though there are only 6-8 of them, and they DON'T NEED THE ENTIRE SIX LANE, 25 YARD POOL. :confused: I never intended on the situation becoming adversarial. They are making it that way and I am trying to diffuse it. AGAIN, you don't have to read this thread, George. It is YOUR constitutional right to not have to be here. So, why are you on this thread???

So I went for a swim last night (Friday night) at 5:45. I swim at a fitness center with a 6 lane pool. I knew in advance that there was an aqua class that would be in the pool from 5:30 to 6:30. There were 5 people in the class and they were using 3 lanes (lane lines were pulled over to the side); and they were down at one end of the pool, so using about 1/3 of the length of the pool. This is not my beef... club policy is that at least 2 lanes will be open for lap swimmers and the aqua class schedule is posted in a gazillion places. I could have easily waited until 6:30 to get to the pool to swim, but I wanted to swim then eat dinner so no biggie. Here is my issue: There were 3 lap swimmers including myself. I was in the end lane and quite psyched that I had my own lane since I was doing a bunch of IM drills. At about 6 pm, another person comes in and stands near the edge with a martyred expression. If she had stood at the end of my lane, I'd have gladly stopped and asked if she wanted to share. But she was putting off a clear "I want my own lane" vibe so I kept going. After about 5 min of martyrdom, the guy in the lane nearest the noodlers got out and she hopped in. And then this lady proceeds to CHAT WITH THE AQUA CLASS AND STAND THERE IN THE LANE!!!!! Are you freakin' kidding me???? Yes, folks, there is a 3 lane wide space of which over 15 yds of pool are still available that she could have used. The aqua class is a free one - she could have just joined the class. Instead she uses up a 5 ft space in one lane, effectively removing 1/3 the lap lanes. GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! This was a ridiculously long post, if anyone read it, thanks for listening to my venting! :) Hahaha! yeah I got surprised by the Friday pm class once. I'll go later next time. I'm sure I already whined about this one, but my favourite was when there were a whole lot of lap swimmers when a class started. There were 2 women in the class. The instructor told me they were entitled to 2 lanes and I had to move. I asked her if she could perhaps use her discretion and only use 1 lane for this particular (empty) class. NO WE ARE ENTITLED TO 2 LANES AND WE'LL USE THEM! was her reply (yelled at me). She then had to ask one of the two ladies to move into the second lane, as they were already happily bobbing around in the one lane with plenty of space. I had a very martyred expression underwater after that.

As for my "compromises", I will ask for: 1. Just ONE swim lane. The noodlers can have one of the deeper water lanes if they MUST. 2. I'll even swim "quietly" during their classes so they can hear the dvd; no kicking drills or butterfly. I'll work on my breaststroke turns and sculling drills... 3. I will give up the pool completely IF/WHEN there are ever enough people attending class that they need THE ENTIRE SIX LANE, 25 YARD POOL! Meanwhile, with the 6-8 people who regularly attend, I'm NOT GOING ANYWHERE. :D More, "AS THE STOMACH TURNS", after the meeting... Seems to me that you are being more than reasonable. In fact, I'd be tempted to hold my ground and only offer these compromises later in the meeting, lest the "compromise" be something even less than what you're offering. #2 in particular seems unnecessary and a lot to give up. It's a pool. They should expect to get wet. And they have to share it. Boo-hoo. You have to deal with them, they have to deal with you. They need to get over that.

It is my constitutional right to almostdo anything I want. I love noodlers, I often wish I was one. If you watch me swim when in Mexico you will see I am on guard not to run into any one noodler or not. www.youtube.com/.../geochuck www.youtube.com/.../geochuck True; it is your constitutional right. But, WHY are you here? Why don't you start a thread, "I love noodlers!!!" and leave us alone? :D As for the videos, those aren't noodlers. Those are children playing in a pool with no lane lines or place reserved for lap swimming. Big difference. Please see my definition of a "noodler" in one of my earlier posts. A "noodler" is one who interferes with my RIGHT to swim in one of the two lanes at our pool that are reserved for lap swimming. I love the noodlers at our pool who RESPECT my right. Heck, a bunch of them are my personal friends. And, I :applaud: them for being there and choosing to exercise, rather than sit on their butts. And, I encourage them, as well. Oh, hey, Georgie, you have a beautiful stroke, by the way. ;)

Wouldn't it be good to see death to the (Death to all Noodlers!) thread.

I am George, my wife is Chuckie but you have the right to call me any thing you want. But please don't call me late for a dinner. The best way to avoid noodlers is quit swimming. Noodlers have the right to swim it is a right quaranteed by the US Constitution (I think) Chuckie, if you don't want to read it, your are more than welcome to NEVER visit this thread again. Meanwhile, those who are still here reading it WANT to be here. So, as long as noodlers invade our world, LONG LIVE THE "DEATH TO ALL NOODLERS!" thread. :applaud:

It is my constitutional right to almostdo anything I want. I love noodlers, I often wish I was one. If you watch me swim when in Mexico you will see I am on guard not to run into any one noodler or not. www.youtube.com/.../geochuck www.youtube.com/.../geochuck

Besides the fact that I work from 7:15 a.m. till at least 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and am too tired to swim after work most days I will say I have never seen a NOODLER at the pool at 5:00 a.m. I think that's reason enough to swim in the morning!!!!!!! Sidenote: I did have a BRIEF altercation with 3 aqua-joggers who wanted to travel the lane 3 abreast one morning. I stopped after crashing in to them during backstroke and simply said "In the early morning swimmers and joggers must circle in a single file formation!" They quickly re-assembled their formation and went on. I haven't seen them back in the morning since. I think talking and visiting was their goal more so than getting a workout. I hope they found a new place or time that worked for them! :angel:

I've yet to have a noodler incident. Honestly though - after reading these stories, I kind of want one. Just to get a feel for what its like :-D -Michael P. Be careful what you wish for! :afraid: