Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to think children should not be allowed in the main pool?

227 replies

littleemma1 · 23/08/2017 10:24

So, I have recently taken up swimming in the past couple of weeks (which I am really enjoying and finding I'm getting fitter already!) but I've noticed something that's really bugging me already... children being allowed to mess around in the main pool when it's full of people actually trying to swim.
Now I know the MN jury will most likely SLATE me for this as I will openly admit I do not have children yet (notice the YET, actively trying, that's a different thread!) so I probably come across as biased.
I hasten to add that there are 3 other children's pools at said swimming centre. Admittedly the biggest of the three is closed at the times I've been going for private swimming lessons but that's still leaves another 2!
So, why do the parents stand there letting their beloved children splash around, swimming right across other people's paths, and say/do nothing?! Surely they should have some consideration for other swimmers who are there to SWIM (yes swim, in a swimming pool) but it would seem not.
I honestly think the pool could/should bring in a policy for adults only in the main pool during peak times for example first thing in the morning (for the people who need to go to work, like me) or last thing in the evening when most children would be in bed?
There are other things that annoy me about pool etiquette like people who refuse to swim around you and think they have the almighty right to swim in a straight line, people who get in the pool and then don't swim, just standing at the sides, I could go on forever but I won't.

So, after that rant, AIBU?

OP posts:
melissasummerfield · 23/08/2017 11:30

You need to join a private health club - less child members and rules inforced more...

Piggywaspushed · 23/08/2017 11:33

My DS2 aged 13 likes swimming. He goes with DH. He is not allowed in the lane swimming session because he is (horror!) a child who wants to swim!! He doesn't want to go to the kids sessions with all the mucking about and inflatables.One time DH persuaded the pool their rules were unclear and confusing and they let DS in. People like you I assume proceeded to tut loudly at the idea of a child in a swimming pool SWIMMING (copying your genius block caps idea)

It cuts both ways but imo our local pool is being sillier than yours.

vikingprincess81 · 23/08/2017 11:34

You're having a go at people who want to swim in straight lines? Like lengths? Erm, that's what people do when they're swimming for fitness. They pick a spot and stay there. Now yes, sometimes people will get in your way, but generally speaking, if you're getting in the way of someone who's chosen their spot and are sticking to it, then you're the one causing issues in their regime. Happy to be corrected if I've picked that up wrong, but I'd rather have others swimming away happily in straight lines, keeping to their own path, and I'll do the same. If someone was constantly getting in my way (which happens in general swim sessions) I'd be a bit Hmm but it happens.
It sounds like lane swimming (at a different pool even?) may be the answer here. There are fairly strict written and unwritten rules to lane swimming, and they have fast, medium and slow lanes, all running clockwise (in my pool anyway) which solves a lot of the issues you speak of. I work too btw Grin sorry had to, not snarky, just a gentle jab!

imokit · 23/08/2017 11:34

How old are the children in it? Toddlers - yes kiddie pool. But older kids and teens have as much right to play in the deep proper pool as you do to swim (they/parents have paid for them to be there for fun, just like you paid for exercise and one doesn't trump the other).
Shared pool means that as long as the kids aren't going in the lanes (for anything other than lane swimming) its a mutual responsibility of everyone to ensure no crashes but no one has right of way.
Your problem isn't with the kids or their grown ups its with the pool management for not having adult swim times/lanes. Talk to them and if no resolution and it bothers you that much then change pools.

AccrualIntentions · 23/08/2017 11:35

People like you I assume proceeded to tut loudly at the idea of a child in a swimming pool SWIMMING (copying your genius block caps idea)

How do you come to that assumption?

Personally I'd be totally fine with a child swimming in the lanes so long as they're swimming and observing proper lane etiquette (swimming in the right direction, letting people pass at the end if they're going faster than that). This isn't an anti-children thing, this is an anti-people pissing about not actually swimming getting in the way of those who do want to swim thing.

CurbsideProphet · 23/08/2017 11:36

OP I would find it odd and annoying that people were choosing to ignore the 2 pools specifically for children/playing in favour of the only pool suitable for proper swimming.

Piggywaspushed · 23/08/2017 11:41

intentions I can assure you it happens and that as a result pools have declared adult only sessions, rather than 'lane sessions' : trouble with our pool is their muddled advertising.

My DS swims better and faster than many of the adults in the pool.

OP sounds intolerant of many things if you read her post so I don't think it's a leap to assume she tuts! Join a golf club instead OP : they specialise in disapproval.

SummerflowerXx · 23/08/2017 11:42

My DS uses the main pool when we go swimming - mainly because when we go it is quiet, there are lanes for serious swimming and the teaching pool is often closed and you need to ask for a lifeguard if you want to go in.

I don't take DS when it is busy as he has sensory processing issues and it is too loud (whereas being in the water calms him down). His behaviour has settled so much now we go 3 times a week - he swims and dives for dive sticks and I do lengths.

It would be awful if someone thought he should not be there - he wouldn't get sensory input from the water and I would not get exercise. I do make sure he stays out of the way of people doing lengths, but seriously him being able to go when it is quiet has changed day to day life immensely.

UserX · 23/08/2017 11:42

I think if there aren't lane/adults only sessions then the pools aren't for fitness swimming--you can't do proper swimming without lanes. Suggest you find another pool.

Piggywaspushed · 23/08/2017 11:43

And can I add it is OP who points the finger at all children and says their should be adult only sessions as if all children don't have the right to swim in straight lines

cantkeepawayforever · 23/08/2017 11:44

In your mind, is 'churning up and down' the only form of 'swimming' that can be given that name?

So if I am doing widths, gradually getting deeper and deeper with DD (who lacks confidence in deep water), am I 'not swimming'?

If a group are diving for objects in deep water (no fun in a shallow pool), are they 'not swimming'?

Are younger good swimmers, who are choosing to use their skills for fun today and so are swimming a bit, floating a bit, diving a bit 'not swimming'?

I think it does depend on the children's pools in question. If they are 25m, deep rectangular pools, and your is the same but not called 'children's', then I understand your objection. If the others are very shallow, very small, have slides or inflatables or whatever, and are not suitable for practising e.g. jumping in, diving etc, then the range of 'swimming activities' actually only possible in the pool you are sharing with them is wider than just 'lane type swimming' and you have to accept that.

Piggywaspushed · 23/08/2017 11:44

there not their : grrr

IncyWincyGrownUp · 23/08/2017 11:45

Pools are for fun as well as for serious fitness.

Use a public amenity and you have to deal with that. If your WORK pattern means you can't avoid the public free for all sessions that's your problem to deal with.

You could travel to another pool if there is one, you could stop swimming, or you could put up and shut up and realise you're one out of many in the chlorinated pool of life.

NicolasFlamel · 23/08/2017 11:47

Grin YANBU. Especially as you WORK.

BitOutOfPractice · 23/08/2017 11:47

I even know I'm being U as I type this but I agree. It drives me crackers

Console yourself with the thought that it'll calm down when they are back at school

BorisTrumpsHair · 23/08/2017 11:47

Every pool I've ever swum in (and there have been plenty) have lanes for swimming in and a bit to piss round in, be more informal. Its not just kids that like to mess around/not swim lengths.

As your swimming center has so many pools OP, I think you have a pool management issue, not a children issue - I would be speaking to them about organising some proper lane swimming - like nearly every other pool in the UK does.

And yes i too WORK and tend to swim after WORK.
Grin

(has WORK become a thing on MN now? Grin)

YetAnotherSpartacus · 23/08/2017 11:48

YANBU. I've told children to move out of the lanes before, or I have asked a staff member to do so. Recently, I was tootling up and down the slow lane when a swim class moved to one end to practice jumping in. I asked the instructors to move because it was lane swimming. They said they 'would not get in my way'. I said 'you are already in my way, this is a slow lane for lap swimmers'. They moved.

BitOutOfPractice · 23/08/2017 11:48

Man Butterfly Stroke

Oh yes, that too.

Basically anyone who's not doing what I'm doing is U Wink

Artisanjam · 23/08/2017 11:48

The op isn't swimming in lanes Spartacus. She wants everyone to get out her way in the general swim session because she can't get to the lane session because WORK.

cantkeepawayforever · 23/08/2017 11:48

Pools are for fun as well as for serious fitness.

Absolutely. And 'swimming skills' - which all children and adults should acquire - are not just 'being able to do the main strokes in straight lines' - they include jumping in, diving, floating, retrieving items from the bottom of the pool, sculling, treading water - many of which are only easily practised in a standard deep pool.

BitOutOfPractice · 23/08/2017 11:50

has WORK become a thing on MN now

I think it comes from a recent thread where some entitled cheeky fucker woman was outraged that her friend couldn't have her kids every day of the holidays free of charge because, you know, she had to WORK Grin

cantkeepawayforever · 23/08/2017 11:50

Most sensible pools have lane sessions, or a lane section, for exactly this reason. In their absence, your needs don't trump anyone else's, as long as what you and they are doing are not endangering anyone else.

BorisTrumpsHair · 23/08/2017 11:52

because I'm asking people to have some manners and consideration towards other people? I thought the UK was meant to be known for this but I must be wrong
Yeah the Brexit referendum seems to have successfully seen off most of those former British qualities like manners, consideration, tolerance and acceptance. Soon WORK will be gone too.

But still, I think you have a pool management issue here OP.

BoysofMelody · 23/08/2017 11:52

So it is people messing around AND people taking it too seriously who are the problem?

Blimey.

SpaghettiAndMeatballs · 23/08/2017 11:52

We use all the pools - the kids pools in the UK are so shallow that the kids can't really have fun (mind you, so is the main pool at the end they're allowed!).

I agree with cantkeep above - jumping in and getting out again are really key parts of learning to swim - my kids go to lessons at a local water polo club, and up until they're in group 3 (ie can do all the strokes, and are now refining them) there are parts of the lesson dedicated to jumping/diving in and getting out again.