Summer swim brings out the crazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I had no idea there were pools where people didn't post a ladder. We have a few kids (and, yes, sadly a few parents) who stalk the ladder postings.

D1 team here. No ladder. I can only imagine how much that would kill the fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I had no idea there were pools where people didn't post a ladder. We have a few kids (and, yes, sadly a few parents) who stalk the ladder postings.

D1 team here. No ladder. I can only imagine how much that would kill the fun.

We are D5, no ladder. It is a bad idea. Focus on your times, that is all you can do in swim.

[Anonymous]

The crazies are out!

[Anonymous]

Our team publishes a ladder. I think it's a better way to do it; it makes the process a lot more transparent. Also, don't all sports in this area bring out the crazies? This is not unique to swimming.

[Anonymous]

What is ladder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I had no idea there were pools where people didn't post a ladder. We have a few kids (and, yes, sadly a few parents) who stalk the ladder postings.

D1 team here. No ladder. I can only imagine how much that would kill the fun.

Nope, no way. Nice try. All the D1 pools post them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is ladder?

It’s a list that ranks the swimmers for each event in a meet. Most of the pools that publish it do so because it dispels any conspiracy theories that coaches are not using the fastest swimmers in favor of their friend’s kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There a middle ground with the ladder where you just post the top 10 (or whatever number 5 or above) in each event so that people can’t see who is at the bottom, but there is some transparency to the selection for A meets.

We have a very large team and our ladder is only Top 5. Transparency for A meets but no need to humiliate kids way down the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like there’s drama at every pool. Is anyone at a pool where the vibe is generally relaxed and friendly?

We love our pool and our team! So much mutual and unconditional support. Terrific coaches who won't let the kids bicker and who have the respect and trust of the parents. A and B reps who know their jobs cold and are great at getting everyone to pitch in. Families who just jump up and do stuff as needed. And no public ladder whatsoever. Head coach games out the A meet points in advance and sometimes gives unneeded slots to slower swimmers who are showing dedication or need a boost (I'd much rather that than maxing out the fastest kids, who still swim multiple events anyway and make all of the all-star qualifications they are entitled to). B meets are open to all without restrictions except for number of events. Social occasions celebrate the team and the community, not the competition side of things. Teenagers stay on the team all the way through high school and become coaches and lifeguards. The end result is that the team is huge and the summer is unforgettable. We are so lucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our team publishes a ladder. I think it's a better way to do it; it makes the process a lot more transparent. Also, don't all sports in this area bring out the crazies? This is not unique to swimming.

I disagree. I think it creates a situation where swimmers are pitting themselves against teammates to "beat" them and take their position on the ladder. Swim should never be about beating your own teammate. It sets up a bad culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like there’s drama at every pool. Is anyone at a pool where the vibe is generally relaxed and friendly?

We love our pool and our team! So much mutual and unconditional support. Terrific coaches who won't let the kids bicker and who have the respect and trust of the parents. A and B reps who know their jobs cold and are great at getting everyone to pitch in. Families who just jump up and do stuff as needed. And no public ladder whatsoever. Head coach games out the A meet points in advance and sometimes gives unneeded slots to slower swimmers who are showing dedication or need a boost (I'd much rather that than maxing out the fastest kids, who still swim multiple events anyway and make all of the all-star qualifications they are entitled to). B meets are open to all without restrictions except for number of events. Social occasions celebrate the team and the community, not the competition side of things. Teenagers stay on the team all the way through high school and become coaches and lifeguards. The end result is that the team is huge and the summer is unforgettable. We are so lucky.

LOVE this. Are you a low division?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like there’s drama at every pool. Is anyone at a pool where the vibe is generally relaxed and friendly?

We love our pool and our team! So much mutual and unconditional support. Terrific coaches who won't let the kids bicker and who have the respect and trust of the parents. A and B reps who know their jobs cold and are great at getting everyone to pitch in. Families who just jump up and do stuff as needed. And no public ladder whatsoever. Head coach games out the A meet points in advance and sometimes gives unneeded slots to slower swimmers who are showing dedication or need a boost (I'd much rather that than maxing out the fastest kids, who still swim multiple events anyway and make all of the all-star qualifications they are entitled to). B meets are open to all without restrictions except for number of events. Social occasions celebrate the team and the community, not the competition side of things. Teenagers stay on the team all the way through high school and become coaches and lifeguards. The end result is that the team is huge and the summer is unforgettable. We are so lucky.

LOVE this. Are you a low division?

Sounds like there needs to be ladder for parents. not swimmers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I had no idea there were pools where people didn't post a ladder. We have a few kids (and, yes, sadly a few parents) who stalk the ladder postings.

D1 team here. No ladder. I can only imagine how much that would kill the fun.

We are D5, no ladder. It is a bad idea. Focus on your times, that is all you can do in swim.

Possibly the same D1 team, and can concur we don’t post the ladder. Also we have a lovely culture. We have significant depth in several ages groups and the parents don’t get crazy. Our kids’ friends may knock them off the relay but that’s life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is ladder?

It’s a list that ranks the swimmers for each event in a meet. Most of the pools that publish it do so because it dispels any conspiracy theories that coaches are not using the fastest swimmers in favor of their friend’s kid.

Whoa. Never have I ever been so happy to be in PMSL. We're in Division A, so a large and competitive team, but everyone is included in Saturday meets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like there’s drama at every pool. Is anyone at a pool where the vibe is generally relaxed and friendly?

We love our pool and our team! So much mutual and unconditional support. Terrific coaches who won't let the kids bicker and who have the respect and trust of the parents. A and B reps who know their jobs cold and are great at getting everyone to pitch in. Families who just jump up and do stuff as needed. And no public ladder whatsoever. Head coach games out the A meet points in advance and sometimes gives unneeded slots to slower swimmers who are showing dedication or need a boost (I'd much rather that than maxing out the fastest kids, who still swim multiple events anyway and make all of the all-star qualifications they are entitled to). B meets are open to all without restrictions except for number of events. Social occasions celebrate the team and the community, not the competition side of things. Teenagers stay on the team all the way through high school and become coaches and lifeguards. The end result is that the team is huge and the summer is unforgettable. We are so lucky.

+1. The only downside of our team this summer season is we are just moved up to the Division A and most likely go winless.