Why would an adult male be alone in the teaching pool?

[redrighthand83]

At my local leisure centre, there is the large main pool and then a shallow teaching pool which is around 100cm deep at the deepest section.

The teaching pool during the day is essentially the toddler pool. I have seen adults in the teaching pool earlier in the morning when it's quiet- and good on them, to build their confidence etc.

But the last few weekends at the busy sessions there's a man alone in his late 60s who just sits there in the corner watching everyone. I just can't imagine why he would choose to sit in a pool full of screaming and splashing children other than the more sinister reasons. I have tried to find the logic -e.g. he is entitled to use it but why would someone of retirement age only be able to use a pool on a Saturday lunch? Could he just be lonely and oblivious to the weird vibes it gives off?

Am I being unreasonable to ask the centre to perhaps look to separate lone adults using the teaching pool from the busier sessions with children?

Voting:

YABU: The world doesnt revolve around children
YANBU: This could be a safeguarding issue

Except for all the adults who now can't swim with their kids, and the leisure centre that now has a much emptier pool for certain sessions because they've segregated.

All because you've decided that an adult who is perfectly entitled to use the facilities shouldn't for no good reason other than your vague feeling of noncery

Perhaps he enjoys the easing of his joint pain due to buoyancy. Perhaps he finds the main pool to cold to have the same effect. Perhaps he finds being surrounded by water relaxing.

if he’s not actually doing anything wrong (and sitting in the corner of a pool
is not wrong) - butt out.

You seem to be the only one who is uncomfortable.

Why cant adults swim with their kids?!

This clearly feels off to you. I think it's completely reasonable for you to mention him to a manager.

i used to be aware of previous men in the pool, not sure what can be done

I mean, it's absolutely not me. There must be a good 20 foot radius of empty water around him because other families steer clear of him too.

If the pool session was specifically for children, what would you do about all the potential predators who come along with kids of their own?

Or would it be too unlikely for them to have unsavoury intentions, and an acceptable risk?

Seriously?
Lots of men use our local pool(s) and health suite(s) on their own.
Do you think they're all there for sinister reasons?

You wanted child only sessions didn't you? Or are you just planning on stopping adults from swimming at certain times if they can't produce a handy child.

Innocently ask him if he's watching his grandchildren, and follow up accordingly. Maybe it's good for his arthritis, maybe it just brings back good memories of children playing. If you aren't happy with his reply talk to the manager.

When my child was young I used to take him swimming but one day my husband took him and I went in the viewing area seating and sat with some men, then realised they were all perving on the children, it was a shock as it seemed so wholesome at the pool before that, I used to go every week.

I wouldn't?

I am fully aware that absolutely everyone has the potential to be a predator.

I don't want to make him uncomfortable though? I fully accept he most probably has really innocent reasons for being there.

And they'd all love a set time when loads of kids were always there.

I can't swim and would prefer to sit in the kids pool as it's shallow and I'd feel safer, rather than the adult pool which is a lot deeper.

Sorry, I thought it was pretty obvious. Perhaps this is why things need to be explicitly worded so people don't think I mean toddlers are just left alone in a pool which is just stupid.

It would be family sessions, and then adult only sessions

There is a man at my local centre that goes in the teaching pool, he wallows about in a large blow up ring and stares at the young girls. He moves along sometimes to get a good view of the poolside showers.

Other adults that go in the learner pool are there for the bubbles, warm water and water falls for a back muscle massage.

I've just spent a day at a spa and spent hours sitting in a metre of warm water not swimming. It's not weird to want to sit in warm water, it's soothing for aches and pains, generally the toddler pool is warmer and doesn't have serious swimmers annoyed you are hanging around at one end (has happened in the past 2 weeks two me) nor larger kids being rough. For all you know he may go daily

Yes, we know. But with family sessions, you'll still have unknown, strange (to you) adults. Just because they bring a child doesn't mean they aren't dangerous themselves.

Ok well to counter all the deliberately disingenuous posts: sure, there's an entire possibility that he's a creep. Men (or ANYONE before someone comes for me) who are creeping perverts when younger don't magically grow out of it once they hit 60. In fact, I suspect it only emboldens them, because they know that no one speaks up, or they play the age card.

I'm NOT saying this guy absolutely is a pervert, but given my own interactions with random older men at leisure centre type places when I was younger, it's definitely not impossible. And really, it's just young children and mums (presumably) in essentially only a very small amount of clothing. A nice view if that's your thing.

Am I saying to witch hunt? No. I'm merely saying, it's absolutely in the realm of possibility, just as much as it is that he's there for innocent reasons.

Maybe he can’t get referred for hydrotherapy and this is the next best thing.

I thought this could be a possible reason, post surgery recovery.

It's rather odd maybe because of mobility issues he just has a walk in shower at home and misses lazing in the bath. I certainly do but our wetroom was needed for my son's safety. I'm guessing there's no steps into the baby pool so will be easy for him to get into.

Don't speak with him OP. It is the leisure centres responsibility to assess the situation and safeguard appropriately.

His behaviour is certainly unusual and you would be right to discuss this with the leisure centre manager.

I can't quite believe some of the responses here. If it feels wrong, send it further up the chain. The (possible) safeguarding of children should always be acted upon. If it's completely innocent then no harm will be done by you raising this.