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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why aren’t people going swimming - am I missing something?

178 replies

MyNameIsNotMummy · 09/08/2020 21:32

So another boiling day today and my local pool (only one for miles around in a large town) was virtually empty! I was quite happy as it meant DS and I could have a lane to ourselves but I was surprised more people don’t want to go swimming in this weather. It was the same on Thursday and last week on another boiling day.

CV is inactive in chlorinated water and I just make sure to take anti bac wipes to use on lockers, door handles and the bench in the changing rooms, with lots of hand sanitizer of course.

Am I missing something about swimming in the current climate?

OP posts:
Passthecake30 · 09/08/2020 22:16

The one that is open is lane swimming only, none of us can swim that well.

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 09/08/2020 22:17

I would have gone but dd didn’t want to on her period. We’ll go when we next get the chance as I agree it’s nicer indoor swimming that wandering about outside in the heat.

We’ve just had the paddling pool out all weekend in the garden.

grafittiartist · 09/08/2020 22:19

Been twice now- it was very welcome in that horrible heat!!

Parkandride · 09/08/2020 22:19

I feel I get ill every time I go to a pool, so during a pandemic it doesn't really appeal - probably bollocks reasoning though.

Have been river swimming though, much nicer to be outdoors

Original poster
MyNameIsNotMummy · 09/08/2020 22:21

I’m surprised so many pools are still shut actually and the lane swimming restrictions. Can hardly keep socially distanced if there’s more than one person in a lane Hmm.

OP posts:
ScubaSteven · 09/08/2020 22:23

Well I imagine people are a bit wary Hmm. CV is still a real threat, it doesn't care that people are wanting to get back to normal and there is every reason that people would avoid the local pool.

The pool itself is ok, it's the changing rooms which are a risk. There is no way the risk doesn't increase massively once you get to the changing rooms.

I'm not sure your pool have got that quite right, I don't think they should be saying to 'avoid' using the cubicles before - it should be clear cut! Otherwise what's the point? It's not like people go in the cubicles for fun, they either need to or they don't.

I'll be leaving the swimming for a while yet I think.

PhilSwagielka · 09/08/2020 22:23

I'm on my period at the moment, otherwise I would be. I like a swim when it's hot.

Lurkingforawhile · 09/08/2020 22:23

I’m very grateful ours is open - it’s the only one that has reopened for quite a way around. For the first two weekends it was very quiet but yesterday at capacity (only 13 people to be fair!) There are enough changing cubicles open but I shower at home now instead. I’ve chatted with a couple of other swimmers who were smiling like me, happy to be back. There were also a couple of older children and some older people swimming which was nice to see. You book on an app but I only booked 40 mins before I swam. I don’t like wild swimming (asthma triggered by cold water) but would like to swim in the lido, but it’s difficult to get a slot at the moment.

NoGinNotComingIn · 09/08/2020 22:28

I agree about the chlorinated water being safe and I would go but not on a hot sunny day. We'd always pick a rainy day to go to an indoor pool swimming, it's a waste of good weather to go on a nice day. A hot sunny day is either a garden day with the paddling pool, beach day or a trip to a park/somewhere nice for a walk.

Abitouting · 09/08/2020 22:29

I'm assuming OP is asking why people aren't going swimming generally.. rather than specifically today?

So I'm not sure why there's lots of posters talking about not going whilst it's hot... not going due to period. Irrelevant surely? Maybe I'm wrong and sorry if I sound grumpy!

And to reply to your thread OP I didn't realise they were opening yet but haven't been checking tbh. I'll definitely have a look at our local though.

KaleJuicer · 09/08/2020 22:32

I’m loving the indoor pool at my local David Lloyd. Everyone else is in the outdoor pool and I’m cooling off inside in the blissful quiet without having to worry about sun cream and sunburn. It’s brilliant!

MidnightCitrus · 09/08/2020 22:33

@thegreenlight

Only one parent is allowed to go with children to ours and as I have a 2 and 6 year old I won’t be going until that changes.
why doesnt your partner take one, and you take the other?
spiritedawai · 09/08/2020 22:33

I like lots of others won't be going again until they allow toddlers to swim.

Frazzled2207 · 09/08/2020 22:33

I would never choose to go to an indoor pool on a sunny day. My kids have lessons on Saturdays (not currently, obviously) and on a sunny day is always notably quieter so it’s not just me.

lyralalala · 09/08/2020 22:36

We won't be going as they have some really random rules.

You can't use the changing rooms, or toilets, when you arrive. You have to have your costume on under clothes and just put your clothes into your locker. You have a 15 minute window from arrival to pool time.

You're not allowed to shower before swimming. You get 35 minutes in the pool and they pick your lane.

Then you have 15 minutes to get changed and out. There are only limited showers so you are asked "as much as possible" to just get changed and shower at home. They've also asked people to limit use of toilets "as much as possible". The last time they asked people to limit showers there were none working so I'm assuming it's the same this time.

LouisBalfour · 09/08/2020 22:39

The pool at my gym has re-opened and it's really busy.

CherryPavlova · 09/08/2020 22:42

I enjoy swimming but rarely indoors. Full of chlorine, hot sticky changing rooms and lots of others.
We’ve swim most days but either at home (bobbing around rather than anything else), in the sea off Southsea or, over the weekend, in the Deliciously cool, gently flowing water about six or seven feet deep. If you swim about 200 yards upstream from Farleigh Hungerford, you have the river to yourself usually.
I wonder why anyone would go to an indoor pool

GameSetMatch · 09/08/2020 22:44

Our local pool isn’t open yet, if it was I’d have been first in the queue!

Vanillaradio · 09/08/2020 22:45

I'm not going swimming because the ones near us have no under 12s allowed, lane swimming only and no changing rooms, showers or lockers available. My 6 year old is desperate to go but we haven't found a pool that will allow him.

TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 09/08/2020 22:45

@MidnightCitrus maybe the PP you quoted doesn't have a partner. Or maybe they are at work all day.

Holothane · 09/08/2020 22:48

The thought of walking home in wet swimsuit under clothes is a huge no from me, I love swimming but this in winter no way. Ours is closed still.

BoomBoomsCousin · 09/08/2020 22:49

Why are you using anti-bac wipes? It's a coronavirus.

Bacterial resistance is growing and it's going to become a truly huge problem that could potentially make CV look like the common cold if we don't get to grips with it.

megletthesecond · 09/08/2020 22:54

I wouldn't go to an indoor pool. Even if the virus doesn't survive in chlorine it's still in the air.
At least we're in masks in other indoor buildings. And in and out quickly.

AgentCooper · 09/08/2020 22:57

Pools still shut here (Glasgow). God, I am missing my swimming.

2andahalfpints · 09/08/2020 22:58

At our pool you can only have 1 family group of up to 6 per lane during family swim sessions, maybe its a similar measure at yours?