Frustrated with how our swim team takes over the pool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - from these replies it does not sound like the 3 hours of afternoon practice (in addition to morning practice) are standard and that, along with the random closures for team building are my biggest complaints.

And yes the board is largely swim team families which is how we ended up here I guess.

It sounds like you either want a bigger pool that is in an insanely high NVSL division that has a separate lap pool, or a smaller pool that is in a low NVSL division and has a more chill swim team. Our swim team can barely get anyone to show up for a pep rally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

I am not going to do that, but I was frankly embarrassed trying to meet up with friends who have toddlers to admit that basically we could swim for an hour or so before their kids needed to go home to nap or we could deal with the bullhorns. And we would not be able to get a table under shade until the swim team families decided to leave.

Wouldn't the toddlers need to go home for nap time anyway? Or you think the pool should be so quiet that they can nap there?

Ours is not as extreme - there is a very active swim team but it's a larger space (multiple pools), it's rarely closed for their events, and we can't have bullhorns due to community noise restrictions. But it's very fun and festive. This is my kid's first year doing it but we went all the time in the toddler/preschool years and it was a lot of fun - they actually loved watching the pep rallies and stuff too.

If it's a neighborhood pool, the focus is going to swim team and kid activities. Not sorry but that's how it goes - kids need to be out and active and burning off energy, a high-strung adult can find othet things to do. Some nap time toddlers who don't even belong to the pool (per the post that you wanted to bring them as guests) are not the pool's primary focus. This isn't some Caribbean resort designed for lounging around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One meet a year? Are you sure you were on a summer swim team? Summer swim has always consisted of two meets per week, one A and one B meet. Then you have relay carnivals at some point and divisional at the end of summer.

I would assume that evening practices will lessen as school is out; at least at most pools, this is the case. Yes, you'll have a pep really every Friday and then generally closed at least once a week for an A or B meet. Team building events sounds weird though. Maybe you can join the board and have more say of what happens at your pool?

No the afternoon practices will continue to the end of July. They had some afternoon practice last year for the first time but it’s more this year plus all the team building and the pranks (which I know are not officially sanctioned a blind eye is turned).

And yes I typed the wrong thing - when I swam it was one meet a week not one a year.

Afternoon practices are what work for working parents. In my neighborhood the ES kids are in camps earlier (mostly working parents). I don't care if it's not what you had in the 80s - it's the most sensible thing now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I am not going to do that, but I was frankly embarrassed trying to meet up with friends who have toddlers to admit that basically we could swim for an hour or so before their kids needed to go home to nap or we could deal with the bullhorns. And we would not be able to get a table under shade until the swim team families decided to leave.

Are these friends members? Or are you inviting people to join you at your club? If they are members they need to figure out how they want to deal with the situation. If they are not members, swim families have priority over them. I am guessing the swim families are supporting the financial health of the pool to a greater degree than non-swim club families. And I'm sure it is built in recruitment. Many clubs have struggled to keep membership up post Covid and need the money.

How do you figure that swim team families support the pool more financially? We all pay the same fee to belong to the pool although, I think there is a nominal fee to join the team I can’t imagine it does more than cover the coaching salaries considering there are more than 5 hours of practice a day. Again I am happy to support summer swim I just feel like it’s gone too far.

It doesn't. They are wrong. The swim team fee goes to staff, officials, equipment, t-shirts. A nominal fee if anything goes to the club. Zero at ours. In fact we subsidize a bit out of other parts of the budget to *have* a swim team. It's not some moneymaker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - from these replies it does not sound like the 3 hours of afternoon practice (in addition to morning practice) are standard and that, along with the random closures for team building are my biggest complaints.

And yes the board is largely swim team families which is how we ended up here I guess.

It sounds like you either want a bigger pool that is in an insanely high NVSL division that has a separate lap pool, or a smaller pool that is in a low NVSL division and has a more chill swim team. Our swim team can barely get anyone to show up for a pep rally.

Just a fact check some of the lower level NVSL division pools also have a separate lap pool.

[Anonymous]

We bought NOVA waterpark pass, and am so much happier. Summer swim teams are insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - from these replies it does not sound like the 3 hours of afternoon practice (in addition to morning practice) are standard and that, along with the random closures for team building are my biggest complaints.

And yes the board is largely swim team families which is how we ended up here I guess.

It sounds like you either want a bigger pool that is in an insanely high NVSL division that has a separate lap pool, or a smaller pool that is in a low NVSL division and has a more chill swim team. Our swim team can barely get anyone to show up for a pep rally.

Just a fact check some of the lower level NVSL division pools also have a separate lap pool.

Had no idea because there's none in our B meet group across different NVSL divisions, but thanks for the fact check!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's terrible, OP. And should NOT be normal. Say something to the pool manager, and tell him that families with young children are paying customers too, and they need access to some covered tables and not have to deal with bullhorns all the time. Pick one or two things you want from the manager and insist on those - you'll more likely to eek out a win.

This advice from page 1 is the best advice.
Some pools have implemented:

A swim lane that swim team does not use.

A section of the pool that swim team does not use.

Buying benches will shelves for swim team stuff. Swimmers are not to leave any items on chairs or tables.

The idea a PP had about older swimmers going in a block is great because those will be unaccompanied by their families and can use benches only and leave a lot of the facility open even though practice is going on.

[Anonymous]

I think our pool’s swim team does like 8-10 am T-W-Th, with the pool opening for everyone else at 10, and then 5-7 pm on Fridays. I agree that your pool’s team sounds annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I am not going to do that, but I was frankly embarrassed trying to meet up with friends who have toddlers to admit that basically we could swim for an hour or so before their kids needed to go home to nap or we could deal with the bullhorns. And we would not be able to get a table under shade until the swim team families decided to leave.

Wouldn't the toddlers need to go home for nap time anyway? Or you think the pool should be so quiet that they can nap there?

Ours is not as extreme - there is a very active swim team but it's a larger space (multiple pools), it's rarely closed for their events, and we can't have bullhorns due to community noise restrictions. But it's very fun and festive. This is my kid's first year doing it but we went all the time in the toddler/preschool years and it was a lot of fun - they actually loved watching the pep rallies and stuff too.

If it's a neighborhood pool, the focus is going to swim team and kid activities. Not sorry but that's how it goes - kids need to be out and active and burning off energy, a high-strung adult can find othet things to do. Some nap time toddlers who don't even belong to the pool (per the post that you wanted to bring them as guests) are not the pool's primary focus. This isn't some Caribbean resort designed for lounging around.

Not the OP, but why do you need to be such a jerk? Sincerely. It's not crazy to want a space to hang out with friends that isn't overrun with screaming kids. They are members at the pool the same as you are. Everyone can share the space with a little bit of thought and some basic consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I am not going to do that, but I was frankly embarrassed trying to meet up with friends who have toddlers to admit that basically we could swim for an hour or so before their kids needed to go home to nap or we could deal with the bullhorns. And we would not be able to get a table under shade until the swim team families decided to leave.

Wouldn't the toddlers need to go home for nap time anyway? Or you think the pool should be so quiet that they can nap there?

Ours is not as extreme - there is a very active swim team but it's a larger space (multiple pools), it's rarely closed for their events, and we can't have bullhorns due to community noise restrictions. But it's very fun and festive. This is my kid's first year doing it but we went all the time in the toddler/preschool years and it was a lot of fun - they actually loved watching the pep rallies and stuff too.

If it's a neighborhood pool, the focus is going to swim team and kid activities. Not sorry but that's how it goes - kids need to be out and active and burning off energy, a high-strung adult can find othet things to do. Some nap time toddlers who don't even belong to the pool (per the post that you wanted to bring them as guests) are not the pool's primary focus. This isn't some Caribbean resort designed for lounging around.

When my kids were toddlers they napped 1-3 or so and we would go to the pool after, since it was tough to arrive at 11 feed everyone and get back for nap time at a reasonable hour. That used to work fine. However now there are 3 hours of swim practice happening starting at 4.


I think a lot of people are annoyed but feel they can’t say anything. There are a ton of young families in our neighborhood and a ton of older people. The idea that the pools purpose is primarily the swim team is crazy. They would not be able to run it without the fees from all the non-swim team members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I am not going to do that, but I was frankly embarrassed trying to meet up with friends who have toddlers to admit that basically we could swim for an hour or so before their kids needed to go home to nap or we could deal with the bullhorns. And we would not be able to get a table under shade until the swim team families decided to leave.

Wouldn't the toddlers need to go home for nap time anyway? Or you think the pool should be so quiet that they can nap there?

Ours is not as extreme - there is a very active swim team but it's a larger space (multiple pools), it's rarely closed for their events, and we can't have bullhorns due to community noise restrictions. But it's very fun and festive. This is my kid's first year doing it but we went all the time in the toddler/preschool years and it was a lot of fun - they actually loved watching the pep rallies and stuff too.

If it's a neighborhood pool, the focus is going to swim team and kid activities. Not sorry but that's how it goes - kids need to be out and active and burning off energy, a high-strung adult can find othet things to do. Some nap time toddlers who don't even belong to the pool (per the post that you wanted to bring them as guests) are not the pool's primary focus. This isn't some Caribbean resort designed for lounging around.

Most members at any pool are not participating in swim team. Also, guess what most kids are probably not on the swim team either. Why do you think the team makes sure to get swim team parents on the board? This is a minority group that is VERY invested and spends a lot of time at the pool, so they care more and do what they need to do to make sure they can use the pool how they want to use the pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I am not going to do that, but I was frankly embarrassed trying to meet up with friends who have toddlers to admit that basically we could swim for an hour or so before their kids needed to go home to nap or we could deal with the bullhorns. And we would not be able to get a table under shade until the swim team families decided to leave.

Wouldn't the toddlers need to go home for nap time anyway? Or you think the pool should be so quiet that they can nap there?

Ours is not as extreme - there is a very active swim team but it's a larger space (multiple pools), it's rarely closed for their events, and we can't have bullhorns due to community noise restrictions. But it's very fun and festive. This is my kid's first year doing it but we went all the time in the toddler/preschool years and it was a lot of fun - they actually loved watching the pep rallies and stuff too.

If it's a neighborhood pool, the focus is going to swim team and kid activities. Not sorry but that's how it goes - kids need to be out and active and burning off energy, a high-strung adult can find othet things to do. Some nap time toddlers who don't even belong to the pool (per the post that you wanted to bring them as guests) are not the pool's primary focus. This isn't some Caribbean resort designed for lounging around.

Most members at any pool are not participating in swim team. Also, guess what most kids are probably not on the swim team either. Why do you think the team makes sure to get swim team parents on the board? This is a minority group that is VERY invested and spends a lot of time at the pool, so they care more and do what they need to do to make sure they can use the pool how they want to use the pool.

If there are that many people that are as resentful as you think, run a different set of board members on a platform of cancelling swim team

[Anonymous]

Your complaints about the bullhorn are dumb -- pools are fun, outdoor spaces where it is perfectly fine to be loud and silly.

The rest -- particularly being so limited on when/where you can swim -- would honestly bother me too. Our pool has an active swim team but it does not have both morning and afternoon practices on the same day. And even more importantly, we have multiple pools with their own sitting areas (including a large baby pool and splash pad area) so practices are really NBD in terms of access to the pool for everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I am not going to do that, but I was frankly embarrassed trying to meet up with friends who have toddlers to admit that basically we could swim for an hour or so before their kids needed to go home to nap or we could deal with the bullhorns. And we would not be able to get a table under shade until the swim team families decided to leave.

Wouldn't the toddlers need to go home for nap time anyway? Or you think the pool should be so quiet that they can nap there?

Ours is not as extreme - there is a very active swim team but it's a larger space (multiple pools), it's rarely closed for their events, and we can't have bullhorns due to community noise restrictions. But it's very fun and festive. This is my kid's first year doing it but we went all the time in the toddler/preschool years and it was a lot of fun - they actually loved watching the pep rallies and stuff too.

If it's a neighborhood pool, the focus is going to swim team and kid activities. Not sorry but that's how it goes - kids need to be out and active and burning off energy, a high-strung adult can find othet things to do. Some nap time toddlers who don't even belong to the pool (per the post that you wanted to bring them as guests) are not the pool's primary focus. This isn't some Caribbean resort designed for lounging around.

Most members at any pool are not participating in swim team. Also, guess what most kids are probably not on the swim team either. Why do you think the team makes sure to get swim team parents on the board? This is a minority group that is VERY invested and spends a lot of time at the pool, so they care more and do what they need to do to make sure they can use the pool how they want to use the pool.

If there are that many people that are as resentful as you think, run a different set of board members on a platform of cancelling swim team

You can probably figure out why this doesn't typically happen, but I'll spell it out. The people who are willing to give their time to be on a pool board (which sucks as a job) are swim team parents who are doing it out of self-interest as it will benefit their kid(s) directly, the reason many people do things in this life. Even if you do get non-swim team people to run, the swim team reps email the team and tell people who to vote for and round up votes to ensure the person is elected. Swim team families are paying attention, engaged, and motivated to vote which involves showing up in person to fill out and submit a ballot.

Canceling swim team is not necessary. Basic consideration just helps.