Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 At our pool, people really only swim serious backstroke in the lanes, and there is a convention that only two people are allowed in each lane at the same time. Then I think that most people will only do one or two lengths of backstroke, rather than 20 minutes at a time. Not being much of a swimmer (I only do breast-stroke, with sunglasses on and hair dry), I've never had to deal with stroke etiquette. But your question about the existence of a highway code - yes, certainly in these parts, there is a definite etiquette. Joyce -----Original Message----- From: ruthie@... [sMTP:ruthie@...] Or is there a kind of swimmer's Highway code about looking behind you during backstroke? I think they should wear wing mirrors! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > I would like to bring up a subject which has bothered me for years > and is thrown into relief now I am swimming a lot here in Israel. > That is the problem of people swimming backstroke without looking > where they are going. Is this normal/acceptable behaviour? The pool i go is full of people like this! I am so concerned about colliding with other people that i can't relax doing backstroke. I'm not sure about a 'highway code' but i do think it is bad manners not to be bothered about a collision! Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > I would like to bring up a subject which has bothered me for years > and is thrown into relief now I am swimming a lot here in Israel. > That is the problem of people swimming backstroke without looking > where they are going. Is this normal/acceptable behaviour? The pool i go is full of people like this! I am so concerned about colliding with other people that i can't relax doing backstroke. I'm not sure about a 'highway code' but i do think it is bad manners not to be bothered about a collision! Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 As a teenager I swam competitively and in training sessions there was never a problem as we swam in lanes on opposite sides of the lane (up by the wall and back along the rope, IYSWIM). I'm always very careful nowadays, to only go if there's no-one in the way, and then to periodically check as i go. Sadly, as you have found, no-one else seems to bother, so if I'm swimming on my front, I do move out of their way. Other than in the lanes, when round here, it is sort of circular (IYSWIM), there aren't any " rules " - bit of a free for all. Mirrors would be a great idea! Todman Treasurer, Stansted Branch (R5) Mum to , 3½ > Or is there a kind of swimmer's Highway code about looking behind you > during backstroke? I think they should wear wing mirrors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > As a teenager I swam competitively and in training sessions there was > never a problem as we swam in lanes on opposite sides of the lane (up > by the wall and back along the rope, IYSWIM). Snap. > Other than in the lanes, when round here, it is sort of circular > (IYSWIM) That's how it works here - the adult only sessions which are on in the mornings and evenings, term time week days, always have at least one lane and usually 2 roped off for swimming lengths. There is a board at the end of the length on the pool side showing whether people should swim clockwise or anticlockwise. I admit to being a bit of a backstroke offendor myself, but have never had any serious bangs. The etiquette I use is to apologise if it happens and try not to hit the same person again!! Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > As a teenager I swam competitively and in training sessions there was > never a problem as we swam in lanes on opposite sides of the lane (up > by the wall and back along the rope, IYSWIM). Snap. > Other than in the lanes, when round here, it is sort of circular > (IYSWIM) That's how it works here - the adult only sessions which are on in the mornings and evenings, term time week days, always have at least one lane and usually 2 roped off for swimming lengths. There is a board at the end of the length on the pool side showing whether people should swim clockwise or anticlockwise. I admit to being a bit of a backstroke offendor myself, but have never had any serious bangs. The etiquette I use is to apologise if it happens and try not to hit the same person again!! Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 LOL Lynda Todman Treasurer, Stansted Branch (R5) Mum to , 3½ > The etiquette I use is to apologise if it happens and try not > to hit the same person again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 LOL Lynda Todman Treasurer, Stansted Branch (R5) Mum to , 3½ > The etiquette I use is to apologise if it happens and try not > to hit the same person again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 That's how it works here - the adult only sessions which are on in the mornings > and evenings, term time week days, always have at least one lane and usually 2 > roped off for swimming lengths. There is a board at the end of the length on > the pool side showing whether people should swim clockwise or anticlockwise. I > admit to being a bit of a backstroke offendor myself, but have never had any > serious bangs. The etiquette I use is to apologise if it happens and try not > to hit the same person again!! > > Lynda The worst offenders in the big Jerusalem pool I go to wouldn't be able to do backstroke easily in the roped off lanes; they flail their arms very widely, probably taking up twice their body width in the process. I have noticed that these offenders tend to be mostly old men, like *really* old men, in their eighties probably, so not easy to say " oi! " to. Maybe they feel that their advanced age entitles them to take over the pool and to hell with everyone else! Like Joyce I am a one-stroke swimmer, I only ever learned breast stroke as a child, although I can keep going for ages with that. I also keep my head up, for whatever reason I hate going under the water. I know that's not ideal but it's what I do and it prevents me learning the front crawl cos I know you can't do that without putting your face in the water! So I spend my swimming time avoiding these ancient men with octopus arms ploughing backwards straight at me. In general Israelis have no manners anyway. They are among the worst drivers in the world and never queue. I have just been to a wedding here, and have been pushed, shoved and elbowed out of the way willy nilly by everyone in the crowd at the ceremony, including small children, who are the worst offenders. I stood up from my table at the wedding dinner, and a young woman immediately snatched my chair and pulled it up to a neighbouring table so she could join her friends. So why would they behave any differently in the water? Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > > > The etiquette I use is to apologise if it happens and try not > > to hit the same person again!! > LOL!! I tend to sink rather than swim - having never been taught to swim properly, and despite being fairly fit I find swimming absolutely exhausting and I don't get anywhere fast. I've been thinking about taking swimming lessons but I'm nervous about this on many levels! How exactly do they teach adults to swim? I know the basic theory but can't seem to put it into practice. I also hate the idea of having to wear a swimming costume in front of virtual strangers - which isn't helped by being pregnant and feeling unattractive!! If anyone has had a course of adult swimming lessons I'd love to hear what it involves http://www.foxstitch.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 I'm a one stroke/dry face/dry hair swimmer, too. But I never go swimming nowadays as I don't really like pools much. I learnt to swim in the sea and much prefer having waves and lots of space to an overcrowded pool with soupy water - at least, that was my last experience at a 'leisure pool'!! I recently swam in the Atlantic ocean off America, which was quite scary. No, very scary, as the rollers were HUGE! Even there, no one actually swam. They just surfed and body boarded - and I still have the bruises to prove it. :-o Lesley ---------------------- From: > Like Joyce I am a one-stroke swimmer, I only ever learned breast > stroke as a child, although I can keep going for ages with that. I > also keep my head up, for whatever reason I hate going under the > water. I know that's not ideal but it's what I do and it prevents > me learning the front crawl cos I know you can't do that without > putting your face in the water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 I'm a one stroke/dry face/dry hair swimmer, too. But I never go swimming nowadays as I don't really like pools much. I learnt to swim in the sea and much prefer having waves and lots of space to an overcrowded pool with soupy water - at least, that was my last experience at a 'leisure pool'!! I recently swam in the Atlantic ocean off America, which was quite scary. No, very scary, as the rollers were HUGE! Even there, no one actually swam. They just surfed and body boarded - and I still have the bruises to prove it. :-o Lesley ---------------------- From: > Like Joyce I am a one-stroke swimmer, I only ever learned breast > stroke as a child, although I can keep going for ages with that. I > also keep my head up, for whatever reason I hate going under the > water. I know that's not ideal but it's what I do and it prevents > me learning the front crawl cos I know you can't do that without > putting your face in the water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > I'm a one stroke/dry face/dry hair swimmer, too. But I never go swimming > nowadays as I don't really like pools much. I learnt to swim in the sea and > much prefer having waves and lots of space to an overcrowded pool with soupy > water - at least, that was my last experience at a 'leisure pool'!! > > I recently swam in the Atlantic ocean off America, which was quite scary. > No, very scary, as the rollers were HUGE! Even there, no one actually swam. > They just surfed and body boarded - and I still have the bruises to prove > it. :-o > > Lesley Soupy pools are horrid aren't they? The pool at my gym in London is lovely but so small, if there are more then 3 people in it, it's crowded, so you have to choose your times. I sometimes go to another branch of the same gym, where the pool is blissfully big and clear and empty (ish), much better than a municipal pool full of kids. Here in Jerusalem I go to one of two pools; the big municipal one which has a kids pool so the adult one is pretty much for serious swimmers, like the old men octopusses, with a few kids playing ball in the shallow end or diving in the deep end. I go to this pool alone, earlyish most mornings, and after my swim, eat my breakfast in the sun, and read my book. My oasis of solitude and bliss. If I want to go with my daughters, who are more strict about not going mixed swimming than I am (blush), I take them to another pool which has ladies-only times on Sundays and Wednesday afternoons, but it's PACKED with women and girls and you have to fight for a few inches of spare water to swim in. Its saving grace is its locality, deep in the Jerusalem forest with glorious views as you are bumped and bashed by other female swimmers battling for space. Yes the sea is wonderful, and you get a much better tan at the beach than at the pool too, but I *need* to actually swim distances to keep my arthritis at bay. Also I'm not mad keen on sand. Each to their own I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > I'm a one stroke/dry face/dry hair swimmer, too. But I never go swimming > nowadays as I don't really like pools much. I learnt to swim in the sea and > much prefer having waves and lots of space to an overcrowded pool with soupy > water - at least, that was my last experience at a 'leisure pool'!! > > I recently swam in the Atlantic ocean off America, which was quite scary. > No, very scary, as the rollers were HUGE! Even there, no one actually swam. > They just surfed and body boarded - and I still have the bruises to prove > it. :-o > > Lesley Soupy pools are horrid aren't they? The pool at my gym in London is lovely but so small, if there are more then 3 people in it, it's crowded, so you have to choose your times. I sometimes go to another branch of the same gym, where the pool is blissfully big and clear and empty (ish), much better than a municipal pool full of kids. Here in Jerusalem I go to one of two pools; the big municipal one which has a kids pool so the adult one is pretty much for serious swimmers, like the old men octopusses, with a few kids playing ball in the shallow end or diving in the deep end. I go to this pool alone, earlyish most mornings, and after my swim, eat my breakfast in the sun, and read my book. My oasis of solitude and bliss. If I want to go with my daughters, who are more strict about not going mixed swimming than I am (blush), I take them to another pool which has ladies-only times on Sundays and Wednesday afternoons, but it's PACKED with women and girls and you have to fight for a few inches of spare water to swim in. Its saving grace is its locality, deep in the Jerusalem forest with glorious views as you are bumped and bashed by other female swimmers battling for space. Yes the sea is wonderful, and you get a much better tan at the beach than at the pool too, but I *need* to actually swim distances to keep my arthritis at bay. Also I'm not mad keen on sand. Each to their own I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 ruthie@... wrote: > Also I'm not mad keen on sand. Each to their > own I guess. Ugh!! Sand - revolting stuff!! Can't bear it! I refuse to go on beach based holidays because of sand! http://www.foxstitch.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 ruthie@... wrote: > Also I'm not mad keen on sand. Each to their > own I guess. Ugh!! Sand - revolting stuff!! Can't bear it! I refuse to go on beach based holidays because of sand! http://www.foxstitch.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > Ugh!! Sand - revolting stuff!! Can't bear it! I refuse to go on beach based > holidays because of sand! IKWYM! I bought a martha book when i was on holiday (mostly beach based - I kept away from the sand though) and was most amused by her idea of a beach kit - one should take a spray bottle of distilled water with a few drops of lavender oil in it to spray one's sandy feet before getting into your car after the beach! Martha has a solution for everything! Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 > Ugh!! Sand - revolting stuff!! Can't bear it! I refuse to go on beach based > holidays because of sand! IKWYM! I bought a martha book when i was on holiday (mostly beach based - I kept away from the sand though) and was most amused by her idea of a beach kit - one should take a spray bottle of distilled water with a few drops of lavender oil in it to spray one's sandy feet before getting into your car after the beach! Martha has a solution for everything! Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 Lucky you, to have a choice. We don't actually have a public pool where I live. The school pool is open for a few hours each day, but after all those children have been in it??? No thanks! However, part of the deal for a new housing estate is for the developers to release land for a public pool, which will be built from funds already raised by local people. :-) When I learnt to swim in the sea, it was from a pebbly beach, so sand didn't; come into the picture unless the tide was out a long way. We lived just a few minutes walk from the beach, so my mother would often take us to the beach after school and almost every day in summer. Of course, summers were much hotter and drier in those days. ;-) Lesley --------------------- From: > Soupy pools are horrid aren't they? The pool at my gym in London is > lovely but so small, if there are more then 3 people in it, it's > crowded, so you have to choose your times. I sometimes go to another > branch of the same gym, where the pool is blissfully big and clear > and empty (ish), much better than a municipal pool full of kids. > > > > Yes the sea is wonderful, and you get a much better tan at the beach > than at the pool too, but I *need* to actually swim distances to keep > my arthritis at bay. Also I'm not mad keen on sand. Each to their > own I guess. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 Lucky you, to have a choice. We don't actually have a public pool where I live. The school pool is open for a few hours each day, but after all those children have been in it??? No thanks! However, part of the deal for a new housing estate is for the developers to release land for a public pool, which will be built from funds already raised by local people. :-) When I learnt to swim in the sea, it was from a pebbly beach, so sand didn't; come into the picture unless the tide was out a long way. We lived just a few minutes walk from the beach, so my mother would often take us to the beach after school and almost every day in summer. Of course, summers were much hotter and drier in those days. ;-) Lesley --------------------- From: > Soupy pools are horrid aren't they? The pool at my gym in London is > lovely but so small, if there are more then 3 people in it, it's > crowded, so you have to choose your times. I sometimes go to another > branch of the same gym, where the pool is blissfully big and clear > and empty (ish), much better than a municipal pool full of kids. > > > > Yes the sea is wonderful, and you get a much better tan at the beach > than at the pool too, but I *need* to actually swim distances to keep > my arthritis at bay. Also I'm not mad keen on sand. Each to their > own I guess. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 LOL!! She's a real love/hate figure in America, a bit like St Delia here. Lesley ---------------------- From: " Caroline > > I bought a martha book when i was on holiday (mostly > beach based - I kept away from the sand though) and was most > amused by her idea of a beach kit - one should take a spray > bottle of distilled water with a few drops of lavender oil in it to > spray one's sandy feet before getting into your car after the > beach! Martha has a solution for everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 LOL!! She's a real love/hate figure in America, a bit like St Delia here. Lesley ---------------------- From: " Caroline > > I bought a martha book when i was on holiday (mostly > beach based - I kept away from the sand though) and was most > amused by her idea of a beach kit - one should take a spray > bottle of distilled water with a few drops of lavender oil in it to > spray one's sandy feet before getting into your car after the > beach! Martha has a solution for everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2001 Report Share Posted August 14, 2001 I took swimming lessons a few years ago when DS1 started. I didn't want to be left behind. There were about 6 of us in the class, both men and women and the men were by far the most incompetent ;o) All bluff and bluster (and a lot of splashing) and no technique. We were taught in the same teaching pool as they use for children's lessons. I have a complete phobia about being splashed in the face, which isn't conducive to swimming at all. I think I would probably have done a lot better if I'd worn goggles. As it was, I still learnt to swim breaststroke and crawl *with my face in the water*. However, I went completely to pieces when I took my face out of the water and had to get all the water out of my eyes. I wouldn't worry about your appearance. You should have seen the men - they'd have been competing with your pregnant belly and won ;o) Alison into practice. I also hate the idea of having to wear a swimming costume in front of virtual strangers - which isn't helped by being pregnant and feeling unattractive!! If anyone has had a course of adult swimming lessons I'd love to hear what it involves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2001 Report Share Posted August 14, 2001 I took swimming lessons a few years ago when DS1 started. I didn't want to be left behind. There were about 6 of us in the class, both men and women and the men were by far the most incompetent ;o) All bluff and bluster (and a lot of splashing) and no technique. We were taught in the same teaching pool as they use for children's lessons. I have a complete phobia about being splashed in the face, which isn't conducive to swimming at all. I think I would probably have done a lot better if I'd worn goggles. As it was, I still learnt to swim breaststroke and crawl *with my face in the water*. However, I went completely to pieces when I took my face out of the water and had to get all the water out of my eyes. I wouldn't worry about your appearance. You should have seen the men - they'd have been competing with your pregnant belly and won ;o) Alison into practice. I also hate the idea of having to wear a swimming costume in front of virtual strangers - which isn't helped by being pregnant and feeling unattractive!! If anyone has had a course of adult swimming lessons I'd love to hear what it involves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2001 Report Share Posted August 14, 2001 I signed myself up for a swimming class in January one night a week for six weeks. I can swim but not very well so I needed to tidy up my technique. My problem was finding some goggles that don't leak, I wear glasses and contacts but hate getting water in my eyes.I also tried a couple of different nose plug things but they were either to loose or far to tight, so I just learned to cope. Had about 6 - 8 adults in my group (not everybody turned up every week) it was about a 50 50 split of male and female. I got the impression that half of the group had been coming for years but were still in with the beginners! I wasn't happy about sharing the lessons with men either felt a bit uncomfortable showing off my body. However I completed my course and did manage to tidy up my swimming technique a bit, but I wouldn't swim on my own with the children as I wouldn't feel confident that I could help them if they got into difficulties. Tupman Mum to Matt 13, 10, Jonty 2 & Phil 36 Torbay & S.Devon Branch NCT Houseswap Register Coordinator NCT UK Trustee Go placidly amidst noise and haste. Why not visit www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com Or go shopping with NCT Maternity Sales www.nctms.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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