88' pool temp. creating fustrating training enviroment ;(
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.
In a nutshell, you are totally hosed. Those geezers are at that pool all day every day consuming every bit of free coffee they can. When not sleeping on the sofas they stalk the aquatic director.
Push for atleast the 83-84 range, our Y has the pool on the 84 side which is warm but is tollerable even for me. Occasionally they get it too hot in the 86side but not too often and when they do I always try to make a comment to the staff at the pool. I prefer 78 but never get that at the Y luckly I only swim there on the weeneds.
You might suggest that those who want a warmer pool might want to try one of those rash guard shirts, full body lycra suits, or if they really want it warm a wet suit.
Good luck.
In a nutshell, you are totally hosed. Those geezers are at that pool all day every day consuming every bit of free coffee they can. When not sleeping on the sofas they stalk the aquatic director.
He's right. Many don't work and ten will sit for hours waiting to speak to the ED about the "cold" pool when it is less than 84. They are relentless about complaining.
The only way you can outdo the relentless complainers is to sit down with some coffee and talk to the Exec. Dir., dropping the word liability here and there. Coaches are getting sued and even criminally charged for training football players in the heat. I assume the same sort of thing could happen to swim coaches if the water that is too warm. I've seen an artcle somewhere about the dangers of training in water over 85. I will see if I can locate it for you and put it on the bottom of this post.
If the powers that be hear liability that could change their mind. Here is the link to an article written by USA Swimming discussing the ideal temps for various activites. www.usaswimming.org/.../ViewMiscArticle.aspx
To get some specific articles on the dangers of swimming hard in water over a certain temp., you might want to contact USA Swimming.
The only way you can outdo the relentless complainers is to sit down with some coffee and talk to the Exec. Dir., dropping the word liability here and there. Coaches are getting sued and even criminally charged for training football players in the heat. I assume the same sort of thing could happen to swim coaches and water that is too warm. I've seen an artcle somewhere about the dangers of training in water over 85.
Seems to me liability issues would trump issues of comfort. The flip side to the liability card might be that the ED would decide to not let the swim team practice at all, which would be rotten. Whatever approach you take, find out how it would be in the Y's best interest to have a lower pool temp. Good luck.
Seems to me liability issues would trump issues of comfort. The flip side to the liability card might be that the ED would decide to not let the swim team practice at all, which would be rotten. Whatever approach you take, find out how it would be in the Y's best interest to have a lower pool temp. Good luck.
I agree that you do have to be careful and not have the ED wanting to get rid of the swim team because of the issue. Suggestions about the timing on the classes, i.e. having the warmer water classes in the morning and swim team and lap swim in the late afternooon and evening, might be helpful. This would give the pool operators time to lower the temps. A compromise of keeping it at 84 all of the time might be a good approach as well.
I do think you need to mention the liability issue though and make it more than just about the comfort of your swimmers. Mentioning liability gives a reason for you to be having the discussion in the first place.
First, see my post here:
forums.usms.org/showthread.php
I don't know why the link to the Arthritis Aquatic Program Manual no longer works. Basically, for the aquapotamus class to comply with the Arthritis Foundation guidelines, the water temperature is supposed to be from 83 to 88 degrees. You should emphasize that this means that 83 degrees is warm enough.
If you could get a few of your kids to throw up on the aquapotamuses, that might do the trick...
Anna Lea
Young Luke, you must feel the force. Age and cunning triumph over youth and exuberance, every time.:)
Were it me, I'd get a big pot of coffee, some scones, and a thermos of martinis and sit down for a chat with The Hot Eight. You'd be amazed. They've been everywhere you've been, X100. Tell 'em the deal. They had kids. Above all, listen.
God, my ex used to drag me to pottery class. Me, her, and five old gray hairs - or so I thought. One day those ladies started telling dirty jokes. I mean DIRTY. I blushed, and I was a world traveled sailor. I couldn't wait to go to pottery class after that. Those ladies have been there, X100. Give them some credit, talk to them, listen to them, and see what happens.
Rant over.
Wow, thanks a lot everyone. Advice from older(sorry)/wiser people is valued, any links and articles are highly appreciated as well. Some of you hit the nail on the head with the way they complain relentlessly and stalk the aquatic director. Even worse, a few of them have deep pockets and are close long-term friends with the branch head bossman. I have not had a talk with him yet, and do not know if I should. I am fairly new and not the head coach, I do not want to create any further tension between the team and the Y at the moment, it might backfire on me or the program.
Today the temp. was 85.0, much better than it has been. A few of the kids complained to their parents recently, some might have said something. I would like to ask the kids to complain to their parents and the Y, but it doesn't feel right. My best bet right now is to keep gathering all the information I can about the safety issues of training in heat. I even found a little info on how hot pools are more unsanitary and promote overall nastiness.
The aquatics director does care about the program and sympathizes with us, but from what he says it ultimately is out of his hands to "meet the requirements I'm asking for". I have only trained in water under 83 before, I did a small set of 4x200s on 2:20 tuesday and it nearly killed me, I had to get out of the pool to breath the cooler air. It took me an astonishingly long time to cool down from an 800 yrd set. Its pains me to think of what the kids are feeling after 6k.
Wow, thanks a lot everyone. Advice from older(sorry)/wiser people is valued, any links and articles are highly appreciated as well. Some of you hit the nail on the head with the way they complain relentlessly and stalk the aquatic director. Even worse, a few of them have deep pockets and are close long-term friends with the branch head bossman. I have not had a talk with him yet, and do not know if I should. I am fairly new and not the head coach, I do not want to create any further tension between the team and the Y at the moment, it might backfire on me or the program.
Today the temp. was 85.0, much better than it has been. A few of the kids complained to their parents recently, some might have said something. I would like to ask the kids to complain to their parents and the Y, but it doesn't feel right. My best bet right now is to keep gathering all the information I can about the safety issues of training in heat. I even found a little info on how hot pools are more unsanitary and promote overall nastiness.
The aquatics director does care about the program and sympathizes with us, but from what he says it ultimately is out of his hands to "meet the requirements I'm asking for". I have only trained in water under 83 before, I did a small set of 4x200s on 2:20 tuesday and it nearly killed me, I had to get out of the pool to breath the cooler air. It took me an astonishingly long time to cool down from an 800 yrd set. Its pains me to think of what the kids are feeling after 6k.
You seem to have a good bit of common sense about the issue. Try to find some lap swimmers or masters swimmers on the board. Get to know them and become friends with them. When the time is right, mention your concern about the water temp with them and let them fight the battle for you. It is better to let somebody whose job is not at stake battle this one out. The best board member would probably be one who has a kid on the team and is a lap swimmer.
I've tried this approach and been successful, so I encourage you to try the same. I don't think you even need to put together a letter about the safety or sanitary problems with high water temps. Just get the ear of the right person at the right time.
