Frustrated with how our swim team takes over the pool

[Anonymous]

I basically think you should say something. But given the timing of this post, I am wondering if you are misunderstanding some things. e.g. this was probably the first week of morning practice. So last week they would have had afternoon practice. But once they start morning practice, the swim team should not be taking over the pool in the afternoons for practice. Those teams that do an afternoon practice usually only have like 2 lanes for it. If they are doing a full afternoon practice, I would complain.
Similarly if it is a big team and they are doing a spirit event, it could cause crowding etc, but it shouldn't actually be closing the pool to other patrons, it if is, I would complain.
The only time our pool closes to non-swim team members is for meets. (and even then anyone is welcome to come watch.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think pool boards have more power here than pool managers. Managers are usually swim team graduates! Take a blanket and find a spot in the shade to enjoy with your toddlers?

As a former pool manager and swim coach, I can confirm. I had zero say over the schedule of the team I was coaching. The pool board sets the schedule.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend finding the swim team's website and consult its "events" page before you decide to go to the pool that day. Ours has all the practices, rallies, parties, etc listed on their team calendar. We just don't go Friday nights/Saturday mornings and when they have other events and we're good.

[Anonymous]

Pool board member here and enthusiastic swim team parent. Say something,

Send a kindly worded email to the board (not a rant) with a list of suggestions for how to reduce conflict that you’ve heard have been successful at other pools and ask that it be discussed at the next meeting to see if any of could be implemented this season or next. Include low hanging fruit as well as more major things? At our board meetings we really do try to consider perspectives of all pool members and find solutions (for example! We have afternoon practice but only a couple lanes and coaches remind families they are only for those families who really can’t make the morning). I’d include things like designated area for swim team families to leave stuff during practice so can’t take over pool grounds before opens to public, no bullhorns while pool is open to public, latest morning practice is for teens [added bonus is this makes it easier for more younger families to do morning practice and camp), and limiting lanes for afternoon practice. Like anything, speak up, offer reasonable solutions, and you may see change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So then 1/2 are not connected to the swim team. People don’t join for swim team - they join the pool first and then the swim team. Kids may join because friends . . .

Completely wrong at our pool. Many families join ONLY for the swim team. This is a significant source of revenue for the pool and without it the pool may have to close.

That is SUCH BS. Pools are in high demand and it's NOT because of swim team. PLENTY of people would still want to join. We are considering dropping our membership BECAUSE of swim team.

You have no idea what you are talking about. There a ton of pools in NoVa with no waitlist.

Well, I live in Montgomery county and my pool has about a five-year waitlist. Swim team is very annoying and I feel confident that even if we had no swim team, we would still have tons of demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pool board member here and enthusiastic swim team parent. Say something,

Send a kindly worded email to the board (not a rant) with a list of suggestions for how to reduce conflict that you’ve heard have been successful at other pools and ask that it be discussed at the next meeting to see if any of could be implemented this season or next. Include low hanging fruit as well as more major things? At our board meetings we really do try to consider perspectives of all pool members and find solutions (for example! We have afternoon practice but only a couple lanes and coaches remind families they are only for those families who really can’t make the morning). I’d include things like designated area for swim team families to leave stuff during practice so can’t take over pool grounds before opens to public, no bullhorns while pool is open to public, latest morning practice is for teens [added bonus is this makes it easier for more younger families to do morning practice and camp), and limiting lanes for afternoon practice. Like anything, speak up, offer reasonable solutions, and you may see change.

I am curious why latest a.m. practice being for teens is helpful to non-swim team families.

Our practice starts with the youngest full team members and then moves up in age, and then there's preteam. But the people who are most likely to stay at the pool all day are the teenagers. I'm not sure what problem that would solve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. That’s normal. Join the swim team.

+1

[Anonymous]

I agree, it's terrible, but the entire neighborhood has a membership at the pool, so we also get one.

I also have an individual membership at a normal pool which actually caters to adults, just for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s super annoying how kids take over pools and then adults don’t have a place to swim.

I have seen this happen at municipal pool, YMCA and neighborhood pool.

I told our HOA that we the swim team takes over pool, maybe they should be paying for our membership fees. I’m not paying for a pool I can’t use.

So now all kids are a problem, not just swim teams?

Of course you are free to stop paying your fees - and leave!

[Anonymous]

MCSL pool and every pool I know of has both afternoon and morning practice. We have a lap pool though, so doesn’t take any space in main pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pool board member here and enthusiastic swim team parent. Say something,

Send a kindly worded email to the board (not a rant) with a list of suggestions for how to reduce conflict that you’ve heard have been successful at other pools and ask that it be discussed at the next meeting to see if any of could be implemented this season or next. Include low hanging fruit as well as more major things? At our board meetings we really do try to consider perspectives of all pool members and find solutions (for example! We have afternoon practice but only a couple lanes and coaches remind families they are only for those families who really can’t make the morning). I’d include things like designated area for swim team families to leave stuff during practice so can’t take over pool grounds before opens to public, no bullhorns while pool is open to public, latest morning practice is for teens [added bonus is this makes it easier for more younger families to do morning practice and camp), and limiting lanes for afternoon practice. Like anything, speak up, offer reasonable solutions, and you may see change.

I am curious why latest a.m. practice being for teens is helpful to non-swim team families.

Our practice starts with the youngest full team members and then moves up in age, and then there's preteam. But the people who are most likely to stay at the pool all day are the teenagers. I'm not sure what problem that would solve.

Is your problem the fact that teens enjoy hanging out at the pool all day? God forbid they should be out socializing and exercising. What does that even have to do with swim team operation?

[Anonymous]

You're lucky - ours doesn't open until 12:00 and the meets are so poorly managed that they usually don't open then at all - more like 12:30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pool board member here and enthusiastic swim team parent. Say something,

Send a kindly worded email to the board (not a rant) with a list of suggestions for how to reduce conflict that you’ve heard have been successful at other pools and ask that it be discussed at the next meeting to see if any of could be implemented this season or next. Include low hanging fruit as well as more major things? At our board meetings we really do try to consider perspectives of all pool members and find solutions (for example! We have afternoon practice but only a couple lanes and coaches remind families they are only for those families who really can’t make the morning). I’d include things like designated area for swim team families to leave stuff during practice so can’t take over pool grounds before opens to public, no bullhorns while pool is open to public, latest morning practice is for teens [added bonus is this makes it easier for more younger families to do morning practice and camp), and limiting lanes for afternoon practice. Like anything, speak up, offer reasonable solutions, and you may see change.

I am curious why latest a.m. practice being for teens is helpful to non-swim team families.

Our practice starts with the youngest full team members and then moves up in age, and then there's preteam. But the people who are most likely to stay at the pool all day are the teenagers. I'm not sure what problem that would solve.

PP was complaining about families taking over tables and staying after practice. While it's true that a number of teens stay and hang out, at least at our pool, they're not really staking out prime real estate the way adults do -- they're throwing their bags on the grass or a chair somewhere, roaming, or hanging out at the volleyball court. Many of the older teens clear out for jobs or to lounge in AC before heading back in the afternoon/evening.

[Anonymous]

OP - you should ask the board to set aside one section of the pool seating area for swim team members and families during practices. Our pool doesn't allow swim team kids to leave their stuff on the wooden deck during practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So then 1/2 are not connected to the swim team. People don’t join for swim team - they join the pool first and then the swim team. Kids may join because friends . . .

Completely wrong at our pool. Many families join ONLY for the swim team. This is a significant source of revenue for the pool and without it the pool may have to close.

That is SUCH BS. Pools are in high demand and it's NOT because of swim team. PLENTY of people would still want to join. We are considering dropping our membership BECAUSE of swim team.

You have no idea what you are talking about. There a ton of pools in NoVa with no waitlist.

Well, I live in Montgomery county and my pool has about a five-year waitlist. Swim team is very annoying and I feel confident that even if we had no swim team, we would still have tons of demand.

Have you checked with the board on this? At our pool about 50% of the families are part of the team.