People who try to swim lengths during family swim time - why?

[Goldbar]

I took my older DC to the pool a few weeks ago during family swim time (called "swim for all" at our leisure centre. Part of the pool was cordoned off for the fitness swimming - it was completely empty. The "swim for all" section was not busy, but had 5 people who had essentially taken it over and turned it into lane swimming. They got very annoyed when I got in with DC1, who just wanted to dive for rings. We didn't take over a huge section of the pool, but I told DC1 not to worry about getting in the way of the "lane" swimmers as we were just as entitled to use the pool as they were.

After a few huffy exchanges and being told to "control my child" (😂), who was being exemplary, I called the lifeguard over who told us we were perfectly entitled to swim there and the others would just have to swim around us. But after my child was kicked in the head (apparently "accidentally") by one of them, I asked the lifeguard if we could move to the empty "swim for fitness" section, which we had to ourselves for the rest of the session.

Why, just why? Why not just book the correct session to begin with rather than getting huffy when kids turn up and want to do kid things in the family session? Can anyone shed any light?

This is exactly why I left the Nuffield I was a member of. At the only times I could go there was a single lane for swimming at "medium" pace (aka the pace set by a single ignorant man who didn't want to let anyone past, most of the time). I miss the days when swimming pools were just one big space and you found yourself somewhere that looked clear and did what you were there for, whether that be swimming, learning or playing.

Can’t believe they kicked your child! I don’t understand why your child was causing them to be huffy,strange behaviour

That’s bizarre. I’m a lap swimmer and I swim in the cordoned lanes that are designated for swimmers like me. I don’t want to be in the open/family swim area, it doesn’t work for anyone!

Tbh, the lifeguard should’ve told them to move to the correct area- and perhaps create another lap lane if the family area was very quiet.

I also check the schedule to make sure that I don’t swim when there’s hardly any lanes, as do most lap swimmers.

I suppose technically it's not against the rules to swim lengths in the family swim/swim for all. When we go swimming with two adults, we'll sometimes take turns to swim a few "lengths" in the deep end, which is usually empty. We usually stay to the side, swim around human obstacles and do a bit of leisurely breast stroke. And smile and apologise if we get in anyone's way or there are any unfortunate collisions.

It was more the fact that the entire section had been taken over by people doing some very serious swimming who did not want to stop, swim around or share the space with other pool users. And who seemed to expect that we would stay out of their way, which would have involved us spending the entire session sat on the pool ladder 😂.

My child was swimming for rings underwater, the "lane" swimmer ploughed over him and kicked him in the head. Tbf I don't think it was entirely deliberate, just that the lane swimmer didn't care if he made contact because he wanted to continue with his swim regardless and was annoyed that my child was in his way.

Yeah the people that come to a family swim session and just swim straight through you as you're having fun and playing are just ridiculous. If I'm attending a family fun swim session I know I'm not going to be able to swim in a straight line up and down and to try and do so whilst glaring and tutting at young kids is stupid

This happens at the gym I go to. At the time I go, there’s usually only one up and down swimming lane. I don’t want to just go up and down so go in the wide half of the pool and get splashed by small childre and teenagers. I don’t mind changing direction or having a bit of a float. But some people just want to go up and down and seem annoyed that I’m being a bit irregular (I do mostly go up and down if the pool is clear). Swim in the up and down lane if you’re that bothered!

My local has three lanes for slow, medium and fast and what makes me rage is when there are slow in all of them. Then when you go fast you keep having to stop because they’re breaststroking at a chilled pace and you can’t get past. It makes me so cross and lifeguards should move them.

I now avoid all this by swimming in the sea. Plenty of room for all. Although I do understand that's not an option for everyone!