88' pool temp. creating fustrating training enviroment ;(

Former Member
Former Member
Hello, I am new to this forum and masters swimming. I am recently getting back into the world of competitive swimming after a 3 year hiatus as a coach of my local YMCA/USS team. I live in Alabama where amateur swimming is not very respected or recognized. I was hired as assistant coach about 3 weeks ago, I have an extensive background as an age group swimmer, and also swam collegiality for 2 years. I am now coaching an up-and-coming new team comprised mostly of younger swimmers (8-14yrs), also with 3-4 older ones who aspire to swim in college who certainly have the potential to do so. My problem is this: The YMCA pool we train in through the winter is a small 4 lane gutterless pool that is used for multiple activities like swim-lessons and water aerobics/arthritic classes for the elderly. For many years prior the pool was kept at 88-91 degrees, the ladies doing arthritic classes mid-day liked a giant spa they could socialize comfortably in with a resting heart-rate. Dare it drop below 88, heavy complaints would soon follow to all levels of the YMCA's authority. Since the start of the swim team about 3 years ago, the YMCA "compromised" a temp. of 87-88. In the 4 weeks I have been around, I will sometimes hop in with the kids and train with them (I am trying to get somewhat back into shape to compete again). I soon noticed how UBELIEVEABLY HOT and suffocating it was to swim in...making any long or even simi-hard set extremely uncomfortable/nearly impossible, my face, back of my shoulders and neck get solid cherry red. We are now in the meat of our yardage for the season, and some of the hardworking kids have been getting sick, nauseated, head-aches, and sometimes even vomiting after sets that they have the capability to do. Now I believe it is holding back their progress as competitive swimmers. The head coach has complained about it in past months/years, but the YMCA just nods its head yet never listens. I brought the topic up last week, and gave the coach what little info I could find on the internet about how unsafe it was to train in water this hot. We appealed to the Y again, the aquatics director and athletics coordinator said they could compromise 86. I wasn't satisfied, but couldn't do much to retaliate since I am very new and only 22 yrs old to boot. Nobody here except the head coach and myself know a thing about competitive swimming, it is very frustrating that a small group of 8 old "bobbers" can dictate the way the pool is ran based on their own personal comfort level. The only thing I can think of is putting together a document explaining legitimate safety reasons that our pool temperature is too high. But I am having difficulty finding specific information on the topic. Sorry for the long rant/complaint, i just believe the kids deserve better training conditions which translates to better opportunities in the long run. I am pushing for 83-85 degrees as a compromise. All and any input is much appreciated...thank you.
Parents
  • YMCA's (especially older ones) do not have deep pockets, and if they do, they are generally empty. Some quick research may help you make a case... How many kids/families are represented by your program? Are there Masters swimmers at the same pool? Of these, how many are only members because the team works out at the Y? Is there another facility nearby, with similar membership rates, that might be happy to host a swim team? Find out what their facility looks like, what their rate structures are, and sample a few parents to see if they would be open to considering a change. If the numbers are there, when you have that cup of coffee with the YMCA chiefs, you might want to ask them how important the program/membership numbers are. They may find it is worth a few degrees of tempurature to keep the team where it is.
Reply
  • YMCA's (especially older ones) do not have deep pockets, and if they do, they are generally empty. Some quick research may help you make a case... How many kids/families are represented by your program? Are there Masters swimmers at the same pool? Of these, how many are only members because the team works out at the Y? Is there another facility nearby, with similar membership rates, that might be happy to host a swim team? Find out what their facility looks like, what their rate structures are, and sample a few parents to see if they would be open to considering a change. If the numbers are there, when you have that cup of coffee with the YMCA chiefs, you might want to ask them how important the program/membership numbers are. They may find it is worth a few degrees of tempurature to keep the team where it is.
Children
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