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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think when you go to the swimming pool you should be swimming

86 replies

Jusfloatingby · 25/10/2012 16:16

The pool at my gym can get pretty crowded, particularly in the early evening when people call in on their way home from work. There is invariably a couple of people just standing in the pool having a nice long chat while people swim around them trying not to knock into each other.

There are benches at the side of the pool, two jacuzzis and two steam rooms they could sit and chat in.

AIBU to think they should get out of the pool and leave room for people who actually want to SWIM?

OP posts:
wannabedomesticgoddess · 25/10/2012 16:17

YABU.

They have paid to use it too.

Spatsky · 25/10/2012 16:18

Technically Yabu but it would annoy me too.

Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 25/10/2012 16:19

But they're not using it, that's my point.

OP posts:
CuriousMama · 25/10/2012 16:20

What I don't like is creepy looking men on their own doing it

NorbertDentressangle · 25/10/2012 16:21

YABU

For some people just the 'weightlessness' of being in water can offer relief to some conditions. They may also be exercising whilst standing in the water.

EssexGurl · 25/10/2012 16:31

I gave up swimming because of this. I used to get there as soon as the session opened so I could actually swim. But one day there were 3 ladies (50+) gossiping at the end of the lane. I couldn't do a full length and had problems turning due to the number of people all queuing up as it ended up clogging up the lane. I got told off by the life guard for going into the adjoining lane as a result and knocking into someone. Um, if these women hadn't been taking up the end of the lane, and not letting people swim properly, I wouldn't have done this.

And they were not excercising - unless opening and closing your mouth to talk is now covered under exercising.

I took up running inestead and buggered my leg. Now do nothing and hate it. Stupid women.

BlackBetha · 25/10/2012 16:34

YANBU, it's very inconsiderate of them. At my local pool they would be asked to move, I've seen this happen.

Same for people sitting on the gym equipment texting on their phone etc - just get off if you're not using it!

Hopandaskip · 25/10/2012 16:34

They need to make a 'slow lane'. A lot of our local pools do that and ask that if you want to wall hang that you go in that lane.

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/10/2012 16:50

Backstroke, right at them, fast. They will move... My DM and I love to swim but we are both horribly U and just want to swim. If people want to float, they can float out of my way. It is called a swimming pool not a standing in my way chatting pool.

BeingBooyhoo · 25/10/2012 16:54

cant you just ask them to move? or ask the attendant to ask them?

geegee888 · 25/10/2012 16:57

Actually, butterfly is infallible for scaring people out of your lane...

What I don't like, is when I'm swimming laps, reasonably fast, in front crawl, some man (it is always a man) in the adjoining lane approximately every 6th lap will strike off at the same time as me, go as fast as he can and race me for that one lap.

I feel like telling them to pay £40 an hour for their own personal trainer...

SassySpice · 25/10/2012 16:57

YANBU. This used to drive me insane. When I used to go swimming the regular lane would be blocked with chirruping old ladies swimming one length every ten minutes, or I'd try the fast lane and get battered by superfast athletic types.

Stopped bothering altogether.

catgirl1976 · 25/10/2012 16:59

YABU

I like a nice long (wet) chat

TeaBrick · 25/10/2012 16:59

I completely sympathise with you op, but they have paid and can use the pool to stand about in if they want to. At least they're not swimming slowly, 2 abreast, whilst chatting. Now that's what really pisses me off. Get out of the way, this is my pool Wink

Softlysoftly · 25/10/2012 17:05

YABU it's the gyms fault for not having lanes to swim and a space to meander.

It's people with attitudes like yours that put me off going to my gym, when I was pg with DD1 I wanted to take things easy (mc before) I couldn't obviously use the equipment/steam rooms and wanted to just gently swim and float about a bit to feel weightless.

But the place was full of people like you glaring at me and trying to get a badge for being the most dedicated swimmer ever.

Ephiny · 25/10/2012 17:06

How on earth can you chat while swimming? Confused Backstroke?

I do sometimes need to stop and catch my breath between lengths (I do try not to be in anyone's way while doing so), but standing around chatting is taking the piss a bit.

dizzy77 · 25/10/2012 17:06

geegee888 that's me too! Passive aggressive butterfly or a few splashy tumble turns usually make me feel better.

Norbert I will try to be more understanding - I hadn't appreciated the pool as a hydrotherapy session.

OP, if you're determined and committed to st least weekly swims, may I suggest enquiring at your local swimming club? I joined mine about 3 years ago as an intermittent lane swimmer (I'd do a good solid half hour of laps) but had no real technique or goals. Maybe I was lucky but they were v warm and welcoming and catered for a (for me) surprising range of abilities - not everyone had done it seriously as a child and I really love it now (don't bother with gym membership these days not anything like enough time as a parent)

TeaBrick · 25/10/2012 17:08

You can chat while swimming by doing breaststroke with your head out of the water so as to avoid getting your hair wet. Don't think it can be brilliant exercise though if you can hold a conversation, but have never tried it myself.

OTTMummA · 25/10/2012 17:08

Yabu, I go 'swimming' but most of the time I am floating about on the hard shoulder because of ongoing issues with my pelvis and back. I would be annoyed if they were stand right in the middle of the pool though, so I would ask management to set up a lane either side for this.

diavlo · 25/10/2012 17:10

I have prolapsed discs in my back and use the pool to make myself weightless which eases my pain. Sometimes I swim a little, but other times I just like to be in the water so yes YABU.

lottiegarbanzo · 25/10/2012 17:10

Everyone has paid to use the pool in ways that do not prevent others from using it legitimately too. Blocking people's turning space is not reasonable. Lanes and a non-lane area are the only answer, though even then, people block the ends of the lanes, double unreasonable!

OwlLady · 25/10/2012 17:11

I can't think of a worse place to have a chat tbh
it's bad enough having to walk from the changing room to the poll and back again, let alone standing there in full view talking
why would you?

Ephiny · 25/10/2012 17:12

Oh I see, I always end up with at least half my face going in the water with breaststroke so would probably drown if I tried to chat :). I get quite out of breath swimming as well.

I guess the ideal is if there's a separate pool (or at least a separate area) for standing around, floating etc, and one with lanes for swimming laps. The two aren't easily compatible. A slow lane for those who need to pootle up and down gently is a good idea too.

AWimbaWay · 25/10/2012 17:13

Every gym I have ever used has solved this problem by sectioning off the pool, lane for fast swimmers, slow lane plus area for standing/floating/chatting. Could you perhaps speak to your gym to see if they have thought of doing something similar?

Thumbwitch · 25/10/2012 17:14

YA probably B a bit U. I also used to go "swimming" but it was mostly to hang at the deep end and do "vertical swimming" for exercise, as horizontal swimming was too painful for my back, neck and pelvis. I tried to stay out of people's way as much as possible but still got huffed at a fair bit (and this was in the slow lanes area, I wouldn't have dreamt of going in the faster lanes).

In fairness, if they're just standing around chatting, this is at least less annoying than people doing widths when everyone else is doing lengths...