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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:
theymademejoin · 23/08/2017 11:53

The issue is the lack of lanes, not the fact that there are children in the pool. You need to approach pool management about that. I think there should be at least one lane up at all times with lane etiquette enforced by staff.

Adult only annoys me too. I have two very strong swimmers (ex competitive) so if they want to swim, they absolutely should be allowed, provided they follow etiquette.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 23/08/2017 11:55

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

Sounds like a lousy pool if they have three children's pools and one pool for indeterminate use. I'd give it a body swerve.

I have flexible WORK and attend in semi-quiet times when I can still get transport and when it is safe to do so.

Lanes for adult swimming should ideally be available at all times.

MissHavishamsleftdaffodil · 23/08/2017 11:57

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

Sadly nope, because kid swimming lessons are hugely lucrative for private health clubs. Hence most of the pool being closed for lessons most of the time, unless you can go at 11pm at night or during the working day.

Artisanjam · 23/08/2017 11:57

Absolutely! Lanes should definitely be available, and if they're not, the Op should either be taking it up with pool management or going to a different pool.

LonginesPrime · 23/08/2017 11:59

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

So you're getting in their way too? It sounds like a bit of a shambles with no-one really enjoying the pool - I agree with PPs who suggested talking to management.

Failing that, try a different pool as many are quite strictly policed to give the more serious swimmers the space they need.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 23/08/2017 12:00

Sadly nope, because kid swimming lessons are hugely lucrative for private health clubs. Hence most of the pool being closed for lessons most of the time, unless you can go at 11pm at night or during the working day

Mine has a policy that at least three public lanes will be available at all times. In practice, this means that only three lanes are ever available. That's why I asked the instructors to leave.

But It's a huge pain in the arse. Sometimes the lanes are so crowded and swimming is a chore.

Jaxhog · 23/08/2017 12:00

I think you have a pool management issue, not a children issue
This

Although I do think everyone needs to be a bit more courteous. I'm a lane swimmer, but still get mown down by the 'serious' swimmers. You know, the front crawl in goggles brigade. I can only swim breast stroke due to a shoulder injury, so am not a fast swimmer. But I still need the exercise to help recover. It's a bit like being a cyclist.

blackteasplease · 23/08/2017 12:01

I don't think kids should be banned from any pool (other than private clubs etc) but I think there should be lanes from lane swimmers only and that these should be policed properly at busy times.

Older children want to swim in the main pool as much as adults because they will want to swim in deep water, may want to do lengths themselves etc. and they have as much right as anyone to do that.

grannytomine · 23/08/2017 12:01

Unfair to say children shouldn't be swimming, one of my kids was a great swimmer, much better than me, before he was at school he was swimming 25 m lengths and would easily swim 40 lengths in a session. As he was small for his age people would always comment on him. He loved swimming, didn't mess about and I would have been having words if he had been told he could only go in the children's pool.

Ceto · 23/08/2017 12:03

Can I derail slightly to raise a point of swimming etiquette? I'm thinking of getting back into swimming once the new term starts but I suspect that I may, at least initially, be slower even than people in the slow lane. Should I go for that anyway, and if so, is there an etiquette for letting people past me? Or should I just keep out of the lanes till I've built up a bit more fitness and speed?

UserX · 23/08/2017 12:04

I'm a lane swimmer, but still get mown down by the 'serious' swimmers. You know, the front crawl in goggles brigade. I can only swim breast stroke due to a shoulder injury, so am not a fast swimmer.

Either you're in the wrong lane or they are.

afrikat · 23/08/2017 12:06

Ceto well done for getting back into it. Don't worry about being the slowest - just use the slow lane and if someone taps your feet or is right behind you when you get to the end just let them passed

Violetcharlotte · 23/08/2017 12:07

Our pool has set times for lane swimming so this is when I go. There are sometime a few children there but they all lane swim as well.

If you go to a 'casual swim' then I would except children to be splashing about.

Does your pool not have lane swimming sessions? I've never known a pool not too.

afrikat · 23/08/2017 12:09

User X I am a 'front crawl in goggles' person (I've never seen it used in a derogatory term before!). I've certainly never mown anyone down but if you are significantly slower than others in your lane either move lanes or make sure you let the faster swimmers pass you at the end of the lane

YetAnotherSpartacus · 23/08/2017 12:09

Should I go for that anyway, and if so, is there an etiquette for letting people past me? Or should I just keep out of the lanes till I've built up a bit more fitness and speed

Time it. Start swimming when you are as close to the end of the cavalcade as possible (but not so that you are in the wake of anyone else). Wait at the ends if someone is powering up behind you or if it simply looks like you are slower or will slow them down. Be ready to move as far left as possible if they want to overtake. Try (if you can) to swim at less busy times so that you can build confidence. Have fun!

afrikat · 23/08/2017 12:11

Op if there are no lanes available it's always going to be hard / impossible to swim lengths effectively. If there are no times the pool has lanes I'd move pools

AccrualIntentions · 23/08/2017 12:12

User X I am a 'front crawl in goggles' person (I've never seen it used in a derogatory term before!). I've certainly never mown anyone down but if you are significantly slower than others in your lane either move lanes or make sure you let the faster swimmers pass you at the end of the lane

^^this! Number one rule of lane swimming. Closely followed by having a bit of awareness of the swimmers around you, which applies to everyone, fast or slow.

My pool has actually been a lot quieter than usual over the summer because it's a university facility. Is there anything like that available to you in your area OP? I find the posh health club David Lloyd type pools just as full of children as the public baths, and the university pool has been a godsend.

spaghettithrower · 23/08/2017 12:14

I think you are being a bit unreasonable. If the pool isn't divided into lanes then anyone can swim where they want to and do what they want to. It is a pool management problem as others have already said.
You need to find a different pool more suited to your needs or discuss it with pool management.
I am a swimmer and use two different pools. We have problems here because despite lanes being marked out and designated as lane swimming only, many parents allow/positively encourage their children to play in the lanes despite there being more than half of the pool still free and one of the pools also has a great outdoor pool as well as another pool with slides and a baby and toddlers' pool.
I live in another country with a slightly different culture. The lifeguards aren't as observant as in the UK and they never challenge any of this behaviour. Again, it is a pool management problem.
Sometimes in the summer holidays there are no lanes so that there is more room for the increased number of children to swim and play. I am afraid we lane swimmers just have to lump it and it is really annoying but at the end of the day I do like to see children having fun and feeling confident in the water as I wasn't as a child.

DramaQueenofHighCs · 23/08/2017 12:15

My 8 year old DS LOVES lane swimming and prefers it to the 'kids pools' so I also hate 'adult only' lane swimming.
YABU about 'kids' being in the pool, though not quite so much if they are being inconsiderate of others, but that should apply in all pools not just the main one.

Queenioqueenio · 23/08/2017 12:20

You need to find somewhere with an adults only session. The kids have every right to use the pool as well as you if it is a session which allows kids.
This may be tricky as you will have to find that fits in with your WORKing hours. I WORK long days but it is possible to do it.

Neutrogena · 23/08/2017 12:28

Agree with Loveache - go to an exclusive/private pool

Queenioqueenio · 23/08/2017 12:30

My private gym pool has plenty of kids sessions Grin

BouleBaker · 23/08/2017 12:31

m.youtube.com/watch?v=khTI6cTk1ak

I'll just leave that there (Hint: OP, you're the one doing it wrong)

Aeroflotgirl · 23/08/2017 12:34

I agree with you, if there are other children's pools at that location, they should be used, and lifeguards should keep the main pool for serious swimming. Mabey they are too small. Or they should offer adult only sessions at times in the day.

Witchend · 23/08/2017 12:43

I'd offer the alternative view.
We have an adult pool (about 25m, diving at far end, 1m at shallow end) and a children's pool (10m square, steps down going to 1.2m at the far end)
The children's pool is way warmer-often over 5degrees. It really can be unpleasant even when swimming lengths in the main pool. It's usually about 24-26degrees, which, if you consider a competitive pool is recommended to be 28-29deg, is cold. So anyone who isn't fast swimming tends to choose the children's pool.
Very quickly in holidays the children's pool gets full. Then parents arrive, often with toddlers and are told to go in the main pool.

I would put the children's pool with a height limit (say about 1.4m, that's roughly secondary age) unless there is a special reason (like learning to swim).