AIBU - with my expectations for 'length swimming' lane in big leisure centre pool

[FunkyPeacock]

So, I've just returned from our local leisure centre. Standard size 25 pool + large area with wave machine + toddler pool + dive pool + numerous slides etc .....you get the picture

My kids are old enough to do their own thing now so I headed for the section of the main pool which is roped off for lane swimming

AIBU to think that this area is intended for adults or older children who are competent swimmers only. E.g. If can't swim a single 25m length, in a recognisable stroke, at a consistent pace then you really shouldn't be in there!! So many idiots faffing around today including parents attempting to teach their kids to swim

This is why i love my swimming lessons. We have an hour of swim training with just 4 of us in the class. Been going for 13 years with same teachers

Unless you have eyes in the top of your head, backstroke in a crowded lane is anti-social noeffing.

If you can only do half a length couldn't you swim a short way then when it's clear cut across (ie a u-turn) and swim back? Or is that really against etiquette?

What used to annoy me was at the adults only sessions at my local pool, firstly you used to get children coming in with their parents after their swim lesson in the little pool, and secondly the people who used to swim leisurely widths with their friends while everyone else was doing lengths. Admittedly it wasn't marketed as lengths only, but they would never try and get out of your way and were actually quite hard to avoid due to them spreading out and swimming at slightly different paces. I could never understand why they didn't swim part lengths instead, they didn't need to go out of their depth but it would be much easier to avoid them!

My eldest DD is an amazing swimmer. She's qualified for counties stealth boast.

At our local pool another swimmer had flagged her up to the life guard before she even got in as she apparently shouldn't be allowed in the lane. DD then swam up and down the other side of the rope, tumbling each turn for a solid hour, whilst the complainer pissed off the other swimmers by sweving across the lane and stopping half way each time.

Limited The pool Where I grew up had a glass roof so if swimming at night you could backstroke and see exactly where you were going. Seemed such a sensible idea to me I assumed that all pools did that. I had a shock when I moved and the pool didn't have that. After a nasty head crack I haven't done backstroke (except in an empty sea!) for nearly 20 years now.

limitedperiod I don't need eyes in the back of my head because I can swim in a straight line.

This is why I swim at 6am.

chronicallyaspie, sorry, yes it is against lane ettiquette. They're for swimming lengths. It would probably be ok if there were empty lanes, but otherwise not.

I am a really weak swimmer and would love to be able to practice to improve. However, I would be in the way in the childrens pool, and i am nowhere near strong enough to do a length in the main pool.
Guess i'll have to stay a swimming wannabee !

Mumoftwoyoungkids It sounds a bit like the pool where I learned. It didn't have a glass roof but the ceiling had lines and the bottom of the pool did too.

You couldn't see yourself but you could stay in line. Counting helped to stop you crashing into the end.

When doing backstroke we were told off for flailing and whacking people with our arms.

In a crowded pool I think you should confine yourself to breaststroke or front crawl because you can see where you're going. I dip my head on breaststroke.

Another poster talked about macho cunts who do butterfly in busy pools. Unforgiveable.

I'm going to tug that cunt under by the ankles until the bubbles stop.

just want to stick to doing head up breast stroke so they don't get their hair wet and can carry on their conversation.

then they should have gone to Costa instead of a swimming pool.

limitedperiod you know it is possible to swim backstroke without flailing and whacking people.
I don't swim when it's really busy but I've never had any problems, and nor it would seem do the other people that manage to swim backstroke successfully.
The only really antisocial swimmer in my pool is a man who swims breastroke. He dips enough to create a tsunami that goes right across the pool.

Lovemytent take lessons. It really doesn't take that long

Yanbu

It is absolutely not the place for teaching kids to swim. I'd expect lifeguard to enforce that. Ours have lanes by speed, so a fast and slow lane. Fast is ok for speedy front crawl or breaststroke. Backstroke is just impractical if busy and butterfly is only for empty pools

I once got 'told off' by some idiot who thought it was 2 people to a lane - using one side each iyswim? Duh

you know it is possible to swim backstroke without flailing and whacking people

Yes, I do know that. I am competent in all strokes, backstroke and butterfly included.

I just don't do them in a crowded pool. It's called sociable behaviour.

Good for you limitedperiod . Give yourself a medal.

I have several noeffingidea. But I still don't swim backstroke in a crowded pool.

It's anti social because you are demanding that other people look out for you sailing your way through.

At least you have lanes.

My local pool has lane swimming 9-10pm and none at the weekends.

It's a disgrace.

Yanbu! I x post d a similar thread.

I gave up fancy gym membership when most of the pool was given up for lessons and everyone else just had one small lane, then some dick would start doing butterfly backstroke.

Butterfly backstroke? Is that a thing?

I love watching butterfly, its so graceful.

But don't get me started on people dumping all their stuff in one of the rare private changing rooms then going for a swim and leaving it there.

If you do backstroke you soon learn to know precisely how many strokes you do per length and then when you go under the flags or under a beam or whatever on the ceiling you have got x left - no bumped heads then :)