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Original poster

Swimming clubs

45 replies

Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 15:40

Hi
We have just moved to a new area and my daughter has joined a new competitive swimming squad
It is a very busy club with large numbers of children in each squad ranked by ability (ages range from 10-17 male and female)
I have noticed that on a couple of the sessions each week an adult male member (age 40+) of the masters section of the club(who have separate sessions) is allowed to swim alongside the children!!
I am extremely uncomfortable with this
Are there mums out there who are ‘swim mums’ too who can give me their views and if this happens at their club please

OP posts:
billybagpuss · 17/04/2019 15:42

Is he in the same lane as them, or does he have his own?

PaquitaVariation · 17/04/2019 15:48

Don’t know about ah swimming clubs but my dc swim in public pools with adults all the time, doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 15:49

In the same lane with boys and girls aged 13-17

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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General sports
Fantasisa · 17/04/2019 15:52

Why don't you ask the coach? I have never seen this so just find out why it is going on. Ultimately if you feel uncomfortable with the set up (which is your right) then you need to find out what is going on and why before you can make a decision.

billybagpuss · 17/04/2019 16:08

I've never come across this before it does seem a bit odd. I wouldn't worry too much from a child protection point as all the coaches will have DBS, you are there and as a PP said you swim in a pool with mixed ages all the time, but I would have a bit of an issue with him being in the same lane. Is he being coached too so splitting the coaching time? I would have also thought there was a difference in speed. Presumably you are paying, is he paying equally? It does all seem very odd.

Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 20:35

I have already spoken in person to the head coach who assured me that any member of masters is more than welcome to come along and join any squad as they are part of the club
I wrote a detailed report to the chairman and welfare officer regarding safe guarding issues in line with ASA standards basically to be poo pooed Their club their rules
To me it’s an open door policy for anyone to come along and swim close quarters with children

OP posts:
Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 20:37

To billybagpuss
I don’t swim with the children, sorry did I imply that?
And we all know DBS check not really worth the extortionate cost that’s charged or account for much!!

OP posts:
Fantasisa · 17/04/2019 20:47

Could you casually mention it to other parents to get their take on it? I got to know a few of the other mum’s from how long I stayed at the poolside for with my DC. I swam competitively for YEARS myself and this never happened. The adults just shouted instructions at us from the side!

Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 21:03

I feel as if I’m the only one who sees how this is potentially a safeguarding issue
Impacting on numbers/ coaching time etc
Potential injury (accidentally)
Potential (accidental? ) intamate touching ( once it’s done it can’t be undone !! )
And as said before the open door policy that presents opportunity those who would abuse the situation
I’m at my wits end
My husband distances himself from the pool now in fear of being seen as aggressive or overprotective or even accusatory (he’s a big guy)
So it’s down to me to oversee

OP posts:
BackforGood · 17/04/2019 21:07

I genuinely don't see why you even consider this an issue.

I've done many lots of safeguarding training and am also parent of 3 dc - all of whom learned with a swimming club.

Confused
Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 21:08

Fantasia I have mentioned it
Their reactions

  • oh it’s onlt such an such he’s ok
  • mmm yeah thought it a bit odd (shrug)
  • oh it’s ok his son swims here too
No one sees that it’s not a personal slur,I’m raising the issue “ how many more men are you going to allow to swim in with your teens? Should we wait for something to happen??
OP posts:
mrs2468 · 17/04/2019 21:13

Do you take your children to public swimming pools as how is this any different. It’s no different to your child on a public transport with another adult. Same risk there as you describe apart from coaching . It’s a bit odd to be worried about it.

chatnicknameyousuggested · 17/04/2019 21:15

Not in the UK, so it's possibly different.
DD is 12 and a rower, so swims every day with a club. From an injury / speed angle I would be a little worried maybe as some advanced male swimmers are like Olympians, really strong, and little girls can get caught up in their wake and can't really swim at all.

From a CRB, potential child abuse angle, I think you are massively over thinking this.

I'd be more worried about speed / strength issues rather than "intimate touching".

Sunlove · 17/04/2019 21:15

I was the child in this situation many years ago.

When I was training at a national level there was a 30 year old (ish) man that swam with us twice a week. He was training for a British record and the masters sessions, which I think may have been about 5 hours a week, just weren’t enough.

The head coach agreed he was able to swim with top squad as long as he had a DBS check done, which he did and obviously passed!

Honestly, if this person is training to the same level & keeping up with your child, who I can only assume is at a very high level, then I highly doubt there is anything more to it that wanting to achieve a specific goal.

In regards to accidentally getting injured etc, is there that much difference between being accidentally hit by a athletic 17 year old boy and a 40 year old? I suspect they’d probably do roughly the same level of damage!

And I doubt the coach is giving that much coaching time to an adult - at that level nobody who is swimming should need too much guidance.

Ultimately, if you’re that bothered by it then you should look for another club. From personal experience though, I can say it was fine - but that’s just my opinion.

Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 21:18

Backforgood. There are rigorous checks put in place if you want to transfer your daughters netball team mates to and from matches
Because this adult male is part of a squad within the cub no such rules apply
Free access to children in an intamate close quarters

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 17/04/2019 21:18

If anything it’s safer than a public pool session which would be mixed ages. At least they are all being watched by coaches!

Is there crossover in changing rooms etc... that would be a bigger concern than the actual swimming imo.

chatnicknameyousuggested · 17/04/2019 21:24

Honestly, these blokes are going so fast there is very little opportunity for "intimate touching".

Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 21:26

Sunlove .... so free access for all ??

OP posts:
Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 21:30

Chatnicknameyousuggested
No they only go as fast as a lane full of 13/14 year old girls
He can’t keep up with the older boys!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 21:32

Applekatie
Yep crossover in showers and changing
Also doesn’t just join in with training sessions
Turns up for the end of term ‘ fun sessions’
Piggybacks
Tied together races etc !!!

OP posts:
mrs2468 · 17/04/2019 21:35

If your unhappy then find another club. This is no different to pubic swimming

Original poster
Joyx3 · 17/04/2019 21:35

Just for everyone’s info this is my third teenage daughter
I have brought the other two through many years of various sports at high level and dance etc
This is the first time I’ve encountered this uncomfortable feeling!!!

OP posts:
ImaginaryCat · 17/04/2019 21:53

I have a swimming DD and am on the committee for the club. I have safeguarding training for this and three other volunteer roles with children. I am genuinely struggling to see what on earth your issue is.

There are always coaches and lifeguards poolside, as well as several parents. There are other swimmers in the lane. I have no idea what you think this man is going to be able to achieve.

Our Masters often swim in the same lane as junior swimmers of similar speed. They're all receiving the same coaching and working towards the same end goal.

clandestinenetwork · 17/04/2019 22:00

I really do not see the issue here. Move clubs if it bothers you that much.

LuxLucetInTenebris · 17/04/2019 22:12

I'm a masters swimmer. I would say the majority of clubs have separate training sessions or lanes for masters- but there are plenty who train with the younger swimmers.
There was a survey fairly recently on a masters Facebook group- see photo.
OP do you have specific concerns about this man or is it the general principle?

Swimming clubs
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