to ask for a lane to myself at the public swimming pool

[TanglednotTamed]

I am almost, but not quite, blind. I used to be a very good, competitive, swimmer (had better eyesight then). Now I am out of shape, after 3 kids and too much inactivity and would really like to take up swimming again.

The problem is, now I can't see well enough to avoid other people in the pool. Our local pool has 'disabled swimming' times, but shared lanes are not much use to me. In fact, if others are going slower than average, it would be even more difficult.

Do you think it would be unreasonable to ask for a lane to myself so that I could swim regularly? I could be flexible to some degree about the time of day so that it could be at an otherwise quiet time.

I think you should definitely ask.And I think they will try their hardest to help.

With regard to putting it off till you can commit -I would also talk to them about that aspect. You may find that they can still accommodate a more casual approach.

It doesn't take long to put in a lane rope so perhaps if you know likely times,and ring in advance to see if it's possible.

It'd be a shame not to get started as soon as possible,especially since it's a sport that having done competitively,you can pick up again with relative ease as far as fitness is concerned.

Missed your question about masters sessions tangled: I'm sure there's a technical description but I understand it to be the adult section of the swimming club, anyone over 18. Ours has separate sessions and lanes for Elites (proper competitive swimmers going at least twice as fast as me) and Intermediates/improvers. I don't know if its normal but like Brownies, offered a couple of free sessions before asking me to commit/join so its possible to try it out and see if its for you. I never swum competitively/with a club as a child, I've seen lots of people who did return after children to regain their fitness and they often surprise themselves by picking up not far from where they left off.

Dizzy, that is exactly what Masters is. Our club has a one month trial before committing to membership. The only criteria is that you can swim all 4 strokes for us. Since OP is a former competitve swimmet, she'll have no ptoblem

You are all very nice. I expected a lot more replies along the lines of 'Public pools have to cater for the majority, you can't expect them to make special arrangements for you'.

I feel motivated to do it now.

Glitter, yes, I can swim all 4 strokes (though it's a very very long time since I've attempted butterfly!) I do think I could get back to a reasonable standard, because I kept on swimming for fitness until about 6 years ago, when we moved house, away from a pool that worked well for me (almost deserted!)

Thanks again.

I found something else which you might find interesting, as you mentioned running - Jogging Buddy in particularly this - it might be a way to find someone to run with you.

Just to add more support, I think you should ask too.

Good luck for when you're ready to go for it.

That jogging site looks interesting Grimma. Quite a few people close to me by the look of it. Had a quick look at the 'new members' photos, and it looks more like a dating site though. I think a picture of me (haggard, overweight, over-tired...) might cause the site to combust. Will keep an eye on it though.

for running also try www.fetcheveryone.com - they're very friendly and there are at least two blind runners on there who sometimes ask for a guide runner for a particular race or training.. i'm pretty sure they've been successful in getting guides.

if you have a parkrun near you www.parkrun.com then asking on fetcheveryone for a guide for your local parkrun would go down very well as many people are regulars at parkrun anyway.

the pool did this for me when I was pregnant sometimes, as there were some dreadful swimmers using the lanes and I got kicked several times. luckily they missed my bump but I was worried so the lovely lifeguards reserved a lane for me on several occasions. I did used to go in the day rather than a really popular times though.

I certainly think you should call up your local pools and see if they are happy to arrange this, and I am sure you will find a sympathetic one!

would exercise at a gym on e.g. a cross trainer be another option for you?

parkrun themselves would probably also help you find a guide runner - and it's totally inclusive so don't worry if you're out of shape. I once paced round a lady at her first one in 42mins (for 5k) because she didn't want to be at the back on her own.. i didn't mind at all.. it was fun.

The last pool I used did this. They had a proper sign which said "blind swimmer", too.

caterpillar - i read that as 'blond swimmer' first time

wow, lots of great suggestions here. You people are leaving me no excuse for remaining out of shape. This is a disaster!

I will definitely look up the running sites too. I am so unfit at the moment that I would only last about 10 minutes, which would be embarrassing. The swimming would build that up fairly quickly though.

I have just emailed the pool! I will let you all know what they say.

You really should go for it. I would be very surprised if they weren't willing to accommodate you at any time at all.

x-post, glad to hear that!

Hi Tangled,

Do you have a parkrun near you, do you know? We have a blind lady who runs with a guide at our local one and I now a few visually impaired runners who attend other ones. Might be worth looking into if you wanted to try running again. Sorry I can't help with the swimming.

I wonder if you have a local blind centre or RNIB, often they book the whole pool at certain times? Would be a good way to start.