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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

mystified by pool rules

27 replies

sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 12:30

DH and I took the kids (5 and 3)swimming this morning at our local pool. Its a small council pool, but attached to the local HS.

I didnt want to swim today, (not really feeling like it, plus needing to defuzz etc) but I went along to help DH get the kids dresses/undressed.
I planned to sit by the side of the pool, and read my book/ encourage them to try and swim.... Until the jobsworth at reception side that "No Spectators are allowed"!

I was particularly mystified as I also take DD to swimming classes to the same pool during the week, and I have to stay for the entire class, ie. I have to remain by the pool for the entire class.

I did mention this fact to the guy on reception, but he said "classes were different"... But how? I seriously don't understand!

AIBU to think that that if I was a paedo or likely to get off watching small children swim, it wouldnt matter if there was 40 kids in the pool or if there were 3 - who were also with a parent or responsible adult...?!

Maybe someone can help me with this one!

OP posts:
Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 12:31
  • The guy at reception said not side...
OP posts:
mutznutz · 06/02/2011 12:33

What did they say when you asked them why they're not allowed?

Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 12:34

He said classes were "Different" and shrugged his shoulders - Which to me isnt really an adequate explanation!

OP posts:
Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 12:35

Should I write to them and demand to know why?

OP posts:
mutznutz · 06/02/2011 12:36

No I mean what did he say when you asked him specifically why there are no spectator allowed? Or did you not take the conversation any further?

I'm trying to work out where you're getting the 'paedo' connection from?

ragged · 06/02/2011 12:36

Mountain out of a Molehill?

mutznutz · 06/02/2011 12:37

I'd phone them up and ask. It could simply be that the seating needs replacing or some such other simple reason.

What I find more unusual is they allowed a parent to have two young children in the pool at once. Many pools insist on a 1 on 1 ratio for non swimmers or under 8yr olds.

Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 12:39

I didnt question it further. Was v cross, and he wasnt able to answer me. So I let it go. DH took the kids in on his own and I came home..

I guess that is my own thoughts and interpretation of the rule, maybe I'm completely barking up the wrong tree. Hold my hand up to being totally wrong...

But I just don't get such a silly rule.

OP posts:
mutznutz · 06/02/2011 12:41

On the face of it, it does sound silly.

My pool charges spectators £2

I would phone them up to be honest and ask for a clear explanation.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 06/02/2011 12:41

Isn't there a 'spectator gallery' at the pool? I can understand why they don't allow spectator's poolside:

One parent sitting quietly reading translates to a family sitting there drinking tea out of a flash translates to gangs of youths sitting there 'cheering loudly' and taking the mickey out of everybody.

I also think it's unusual for one parent to be permitted to have two under 8's in the pool at the same time.

Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 12:43

Im just annoyed that they insist that parents/carers stay for lessons, yet wont let me stay and watch a normal session..

OP posts:
JaquesTouatte · 06/02/2011 12:45

Classes are different.

At the classes, they know exactly who is there with their children. Outside of classes, you could be anyone, and are not necessarily with any children. So, to keep undesirables out to safeguard your children, they have to exclude everyone, even you.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 06/02/2011 12:47

It is a silly rule but I don't understand why you didn't question him properly. DH does this. Someone will tell him something and he'll shrug his shoulders and walk off. Drives me potty.

mutznutz · 06/02/2011 12:47

I think it's more likely they're allowed at classes because they'll know exactly how many spectators there will be.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 06/02/2011 12:48

But Jaques surely it's not beyond the wit of the person selling the tickets to see that the two adults plus children are all together? So anyone who gets beyond the barrier has been 'passed' by the person behind the desk.

mutznutz · 06/02/2011 12:49

DH does this. Someone will tell him something and he'll shrug his shoulders and walk off. Drives me potty.

Oh God so does mine lol. Then he'll spend the rest of the day asking me 'why'...like I'd bloody know the answer more than the person who told him whatever it was Angry

ThreeBubbasAndManyBumps · 06/02/2011 12:49

I'm with mutznutz on this and am more mystified by their allowing one parent with two non-swimmers/under 8-yr olds. Not that I think that's a particularly good rule, but it is one I see in most public baths... Confused

LadyThumb · 06/02/2011 12:49

I would have said...."I can't swim today because of my period, but am here to help get my children get undressed and dressed"... wonder what he would have said then?

Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 12:55

LOL at ladyThumb

Its a really small pool with no spectator gallery, during lessons parents sit by the side of the pool, its always very busy during lessons, at least 30 spectators.

I am bad for not questioning more, and I should have done at the time. I am more likely to get annoyed afterwards and rehash it over..

I know this can be frustrating..!

OP posts:
megapixels · 06/02/2011 12:57

It's possible that it's nothing to do with paedos but just limiting people unnecessarily coming there and hanging around when just the adults who will accompany the children into the pool would do.

shrugs

mutznutz · 06/02/2011 12:58

Oh it all makes sense now if there's no spectator gallery.

Weekends (especially sundays) can get quite packed. In fact the last time I went to watch my husband and sons swimming...I sat by the side of the pool and was told to move to the proper spectating area.

Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 13:00

I guess it could get busy. But really its not the best pool in the area by miles, and Ive never seen more than a small handful of folk in the normal swimming sessions.

Swimming lessons on the other hand are packed to the gills.

You think Im getting my knickers in a knot over nothing don't you Mutz?

OP posts:
mutznutz · 06/02/2011 13:03

Lol well now you come to mention it Blush

Not really to be hones. I can understand you must have felt aggravated because you expected the rules to be the same for public swimming as they are for private lessons.

On the other hand, I can understand why they wouldn't encourage spectators if they have no spectators gallery.

Still, at least you got a bit of piece and quiet to yourself...so it's not all bad Grin

thumbdabwitch · 06/02/2011 13:05

I would say that it could well be a case of this:
in a class, there will be a teacher who will tell you to bog off out of the pool should you try and sneak a quick freeby dip;
whereas in an open session, who is to know?
they barely have enough staff at most council-run facilities for safety these days, let alone enough to check up on whether you paid to swim or not.

That's my take on it, anyway.

Original poster
sunchild77 · 06/02/2011 13:07

You are absolutely right Mutz :)
Was a bit raging, was a right faff on getting kids ready etc, then we walked to the pool in the rain (cue lots of complaining), Just to be told that!

Have calmed down a bit now... Thanks all :)

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