AIBU to expect to be able to SWIM in the lanes at the local swimming pool?!!

[VanGogogh]

That's it really. Local pool has lane swimming every evening. 1/2 the pool is closed for lessons, there's one lane for adult lengths and then the rest is open for everyone.

I fully appreciate that not everyone is a strong swimmer. In my experience and until this week, the strong swimmers (think swimming lengths as a steady pace and not stopping) would pace up and down the lengths without worry of swimming into static people, and those who were leisurely swimming and chatting or resting, slow swimmers would enjoy the "general" area without worry that some crazy power swimmer would bash into them.

Sometimes the timings and speeds don't quite work out but we're all grown ups. We work around each other in a wonderfully British way.

I am, perhaps, still feeling very rilled by this. A trio of adults joined the lane. Each of them was only currently able to swim almost a length before a 2 minute break. By almost a length, I mean they would stop dead about 1/5 from the side and either walk in or pull in on the rope. This REALLY ruins the pace of the lane. If someone stops dead they're going to get swam into.

Then, during the 2 minute break, the three of them congregated, blocking the whole of the side stopping people completing lengths and turning effectively. They didn't wait until the stronger swimmers had passed before restarting the next length, on multiple occasions one of the three would start just as someone came to turn. It was ridiculous.

I bit my tongue. Hard. The angry energy made me swim another 15 lengths trying to calm down. It didn't work as this trio were seemingly unaware of others. Myself and other swimmers were ducking in and out of lanes to safely overtake and unfortunately, I did swim into a stopped body more than once when on my back as I was nowhere never the side.

AIBU to be furious? I know it's not my private lane and a public pool but these people just seemed to lack basic etiquette and social awareness.

WWYD if you were in that situation?

A lot of blokes who think they are quick have really crap technique and swing their arms out and around like a 'scythe' instead of lifting their bloody shoulders n back, so they whack others coming the other way (as happened to me earlier)

One of my sad games is to watch blokes legs underwater as they pass the other way and predict how many lengths they will swim before slowing a lot (kicking like mad, hanging legs = about 6) I swim a lot of lengths so I have to have some diversions

magi there is a swimming thread on exercise, health - recently started.

kaizen I shall go & find it.

YANBU at all. Cannot stand it when people stop mid-length or congregate at the end for a little chin wag and get in the way of everyone else. It's just about common courtesy really isn't it?

Agree that YABabitU for doing back stroke in a busy pool. The back strokers are almost as annoying as the gaggles of chin waggers for me, actually. If you're in a lane, just sodding well swim up and down and work around those who swim faster/slower sensibly I say.

OP do you go to my local pool by any chance? Tonight, I shall be at the women only swim session which comprises the following; half the pool for the water aerobics class, 1 fast lane, 1 medium lane, 1 slow lane and 1 lane for social swimming. Tonight, in the fast lane there will be a lady joining in with the class, but not in the class section of the pool. So the fast lane swimmers will have to dodge a lady jumping up and down and running on the spot. In the medium lane there will be two ladies swimming side by side and chatting, as well as a lady who can't swim, but drags herself up and down the lanes by pulling herself along the lane dividers. And the lifeguards will do sweet fa.

Our pool does circuits, not lanes. So the slower ones stick closest to the side and faster swimmers can overtake, seems to work well. Maybe you could suggest that to the management?

I'm half waiting for a really busy day when we all collectively create a big whirlpool though

Lookatmybutt- I got the impression from your list of things other people do to you in the pool, that you are probably swimming in the wrong lane. If someone can overtake you by diving under you and thus kicking only, then you should be in a slower lane, if there is one available.

Erm, that person dove under me coming towards me - I was just coming to the end of a lane and he dived in right in front of me. He didn't overtake me (he wishes). He came AT me.

single lanes are useless for lane swimming, I wouldn't bother going unless you have 3 marked lanes (fast, medium, slow) - can still be annoying but marginally less so.

I've never seen a lifeguard 'police' lanes either, in fact I've never seen a lifeguard to anything other than stare off into the middle distance.

That's a tad unfair Mrs.

I am an ex-lifeguard and I took my job very seriously.

In my local pool the lifeguards are very competent and will soon challenge people if they think the need is there.

However it's not really up to them to police the lanes unless someone is doing something dangerous or against pool rules,or hanging off the ropes.

They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of the rest of the pool.

I had a serious collision in lanes because some stupid woman thought she would swim clockwise instead of anti-clockwise. I was on my first length and collided at speed. I really banged my head, was dizzy, had to get out of the pool straight away, and threw up when I went back to the changing rooms.

The life guard did precisely nothing. I spoke to him about it at the side of the pool and got a shoulder shrug. I went to the front desk and asked to speak to the manager - not available - more shoulder shrugs when I told my story - so I left my phone number. No call back.

I emailed the next day - no reply.

I don't swim there any more and and still pretty furious about it.

Sorry, but on balance I think life guards are generally poor - and I swim a lot in different pools.

The lifeguards in our big local sports centre told my work colleague to change lanes to the fast lane last week, and ours in the 'posher' club will get involved if you ask. I think it can be done 'politely' if someone is causing a hold-up. The reaction can't be guaranteed tho

Unexpected it's a shame you've had bad experiences.The lifeguard in question should have made sure you were ok and spoken to the other swimmer,both to check that they were ok,and to point out the rules.
I am assuming you were swimming on your back?

I've swam in a lot of different pools and worked in several,and on the whole I have found a high level of professionalism.

Yep: this is why I no longer go swimming!

A bloke stopped in front of me last week in the fast lane and started walking. I had to stop and stand up, and his mate bellowed "get out of the way you fucking idiot" down the lane. Made me smile

Yadnbu. I detest this.

I'm reminded of how much i like club swimming after reading this thread.

YANBU. Where I swim there's a lady who takes her denture out and leaves it at the side of the pool while she swims. It creeps me out

In my case surely it would have been better if the lifeguard had intervened before the collision he saw the other bloody woman swimming the wrong way round the lanes for ages but did nothing.

This thread has made me appreciate my local pool. It's big and long - 50 yds, 45.7 metres. For lane swimming it's divided in to three wide lanes that have directional signs. Very rarely have I been annoyed by anybody. Possibly the fact that each length is such a very long way helps people to behave?

My pool currently only offers one lane. No speed. That's unfair on all I agree but I am going to find my courage and write a letter or even address the issue in person if it continues.

Thank you so much all for your reassurances!

I have already decided that when I am a gazillionaire I will build myself my very own indoor 33m pool. Or 50m... I'm still planning I will share my pool with the general public at pre designated times for recreational swimming but have strict rules which will be enforced using whistles, blunt objects and mild electric shocks. you're all welcome and I shall offer tea and fluffy towels for après swim!

(I will also have a slide and inflatables for fun pool sessions where splashing, behaving like a maniac, trying to drown each other and generally recreating my childhood is actively encouraged!)

I wanted to own my own pool and operate a sniper-system from the life guard chair. Might be a bit messy though, electric shocks might be better

VanGogogh

I would prefer gin to tea as a restorative - can this be arranged?

vangogh - your dream pool sounds ace!!