The pool was relatively empty: five swimmers when I got there. Lady Forceful was in the middle lane with a guy taking side. I joined the singleton in the slow lane: I didn’t want any more confrontation and I won’t swimming long. There was a guy in black t-shirt looked like from the club (he later told someone that he needed to watched the kids in the pool; ha ha ha), watching over the pool. Good thing. The woman in my lane preferred taking side and she pointed to her belly:
“I’m very much pregnant.”
Hmmm .. she wasn’t .. But anyway, a few laps later, an older lady entered the pool and installed herself in the middle lane. The MIB walked over and told her to join the slow lane. To my surprise Lady Forceful said to me,
“We can circle.”
It must be a nice day that everyone was reasonable and considerate.
I did few more laps and left for the class.
Archive for Swim
She’s so nice today
Rules and regulations
The water is particularly hot today at the club. Few swimmers in the pool commented too. The camera lens is instantly clouded.
I’ve seen many etiquette but circling the on the left is a first. Never seen it anywhere before; the rule has always been to the right. Given the combative nature of some the members in the club, it just leaves room for more senseless argument.
Feeling threatened
The swimming pool at Equinox Great Neck is a short course with only three lanes: Slow, Medium and Fast. I would swim in any of them because no one observe the speed but vacancy. If a lane isn’t empty, I’d wait and then ask “may I join you in the lane?” Most of time, the answer’s a simple yes. Then we’ll decide ‘side’ or ‘circle’. The first choice at this club is always ‘taking side’ rather than circle. I would swim on either side the pool lanes (slow or fast) as long as it’s empty, because I’m afraid to be the one who takes the wall side. Personally I prefer circling, only because I swim free style for my 40 laps straight, I don’t like to be interrupted. When you circle, there is no need to be stopped by new arrival; and I never said no to anyone who wanted to join my lane.
Nov 4, 2012
In my past experience at this club, the real swimmers (mostly men and rare) would say: “Sure, did you tell the other swimmer?” (in the same lane) or let me to pick a side. The weekend hackers usually asked, “why can’t you swim in that lane?” a lane with less people – usually a lonesome dove, but never once refused me to join.
When I got to the pool deck today at 8am, there were five in the water: one in the Slow (left) lane and two in each other lanes. I first asked the singleton in the slow lane if I could join him. He pointed to the wall side of the lane. I then asked the two in the middle lane, one woman and one man if they mind to circle.
The man: “Why can’t you swim in that lane?” he pointed to the slow lane.
“I’m sorry but I don’t like to swim along the wall.” I replied.
By now the woman came back to the end, and joined the discussion.
“Oh no, you can’t do this to me again. You go swim in that lane. He (in man in her lane) is a slow swimmer and I’m fast. You’re fast. It won’t work and I won’t let you to ruin my swim today.”
??
I vaguely remembered her: her forceful manner/voice and body shape. Last weekend (or was it two weekends ago?) I jumped into the middle lane when I failed to spot the 4th swimmer in the lane – this shows the benefit of circling -> no need to stop others. She told me to get out. The rule posted on the wall allows only 4 people in a lane. She’s right. I moved immediately.
“No one likes to swim by the wall ..” she commented and swam away on the left side of the lane.
Hmmm… that’s not true, not at all. If the pool is busy and I’m doing breast and/or back stokes when I can see well, I always voluntarily move to the wall side: a little consideration benefits.
Where’s common courtesy? Where’s the etiquette??
I called the club, twice, Joe (Joel?) came up at 8:10.
I explained the situation. He turned around to read the regulations/signs on the wall, then assured me, “sure you can swim in this lane.”
He then informed the woman to circle.
The woman protested; said I didn’t know the etiquette .. I did this and that .. asked Joe if he swims.
“No I don’t swim.”
She then lectured Joe on the swimming etiquette and complained more and then pressed Joe that really, I can be allowed in her lane.
Joe said ‘Yes’ again.
She then raised her two hands, said to me,
“Well, if you want to be a jerk, then I guess you can.”
Joe immediately jumped in, “wow, that’s a strong language ..”
The woman won’t give up, said just because I’m a sneat (? I don’t know the word, nor I ever heard it used in swimming) swimmer (from the motion she demonstrated and what she said afterward ..I take it probably means my arms are all over the place ?) that didn’t give me the right to refuse to swim by the wall side of the lane; that I hit her in the lane before.
On rare occasions, my hand brushed others, yes – it could be that the other swimmer was too close to the center of the lane. This is a common occurrence, like once in 10 outings.
Her accusation was a fabrication, I didn’t remember I ever had any ‘contact’ with her. I actually would want to stay far away from her because she wore hand paddles.
I don’t know how other view how I swim .. but I do know I’m a neat swimmer who doesn’t hit others in the lane. Beside, circle or taking side, the width of the lane doesn’t change. So what’s the point??
The man came back from his lap, and asked, “she can swim in this lane EVEN the two other lanes are empty?”
Joe replied ” .. Yes.”
..
Thanks Joe for standing up for me. Although I won’t join the circling if other lanes are empty but ultimately, anyone could decide where to swim.
..
Joe left and I joined the middle lane. The man was really s-l-o-w but was decent enough to let me pass without any fuss. I passed him every 2-3 laps and after about 20 laps, he announced “I’m leaving”.
Normally, I would stop briefly to bid the person a goodbye or a ‘thank you’ for letting me know. I didn’t today because I just wanted to finish my laps and leave.
I continued in circles. On my next two laps, I could see the woman was standing by the end. On my next trip back, she tapped on my shoulder. I ignored her: I didn’t want any confrontation nor interrupt my laps. Then a couple of stokes after I made an U-turn at the other end, I found her stood on her left hand side – which was my right hand side – I almost crashed into her – and held up her hand that wore a hand paddle, screamed condescendingly,
“Hello !!! When two people in the lane, WE t-a-k-e side.”
I was shaken: felt threatened and angry.
Threatened: I was in a bathing suit (yes sure she’s too .. ) and so close to the aggressor who’s far bigger than I’m physically.
Angry: how could anyone so openly ignored the very basic safety issue?!?! It’s very dangerous to me who could NOT see ahead?
That woman does free style too (so she should know better ..), who also just lectured about etiquette not long ago, would in turn to jeopardize others knowingly??
I called Joe again. He and Alex came up just about the time the woman left. Joe told Alex that that woman’s
“very nasty”.
They said they’ll try to catch her before she leaves. I hope they did.
A couple of notes to the club:
- Make a sign indicating that two swimmers in a lane, can either circle or take side. A second thought: what to do when two could not come to a mutual agreement?
- Should hand paddles/flippers be allowed in the pool? I don’t see any harm done by flippers but hand paddles? What if the wearer is a ‘sneat‘ swimmer?
Jan 8: I re-signed the membership contract. Yes Joe was able to have a talk with the woman last Sunday. (Joe’s good: with goggles and caps, facial recognition should be low, at least to me.)
Equinox, the troubled water
Oct 29, 2012, the first night of a long black out
page
I take up the week long trial membership at Equinox, the second time, due to Sandy’s black out.
I can’t speak for the classes but nothing really has changed since the day they opened. I took their week long trial membership when they first opened door in 2006, at the time I did nothing except swimming. The first few days the water was great, cool and empty. I was in heaven and about to join. Then suddenly the water temperature jumped up, feeling like in a Jacuzzi (ok, a little over board .. ). I went to the reception desk asking why. The girl said with relief,
“Oh the water heater finally worked today.”
“Oh …. ” I was very disappointed. Thought the cold temperature in the pool WAS their normal ..
“You can always leave a comment if it’s too cold.”
NO NO NO, it’s way too hot.
Nov 4, 2012
I didn’t leave any comment because I knew I could not fight the tide: this is a club, swimming isn’t really their main course. The pool is most likely be used by classes / weekend hackers who prefer (I’m sure on this) hotter water.
I was right.
I didn’t join, continued my swim elsewhere, in the real pools where the water temperature is appropriate for lap swimming.
The pool at the club, oddly, it’s on the second floor, and often leaked. I asked their skipper why. He said, the design was intended to accommodate the yoga studio – the main floor down is used for more physical activities – which, produces more noise – we can hear it clearly during our yoga class.
A few years has passed since. The cleaning crew is still very diligently at sweeping off customers’ sweat the moment it lands on the floor. The water in the pool is still hot.
Now without electricity, the club has becoming a refugee center – we need a shower? Go to the club. Phone needed to be charged? Go to the club. Need warmth?
Well, you can figure that out, without a hint -:)
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This is out of boundary, 2017.12.25
A major renovation of the pool, 2017.11.05
Ops, she did it again, shower door – 2016.11.13
Meritocracy 任人唯贤 – membership story, 2016.08.25
The flood, 2016.08.20
The 2nd assessment, 2016.07.05
Another shower door opener, 2016.01.22
A sleeper, 2016.01.18
A lovely chair, 2015.11.22
A new parking lot, 2015.06.25
A bug, 2015.03.15
An angry white man – almost a fist fight, 2015.03.07
Another trying day – parked a mile away; 2015.03.06
A collusion & flippers, 2014.12.28
She spits, 2014.12.08
A challenge to all the swimmers 挑战水鬼们! 2014.11.29
This has to stop, 2014.10.31
New machines, 2014-04-0 At Columbus Circle, 2014-04-15
A double Valentine’s Day; 78 degrees water, 2014-02-14
Death in the Club, 2014-02-03
Eight Years, parking; 2014-01-21
The towels, q-tips, etc., 2014-01-01
The last busy day, 2013-12-31
The empty pool, 2013-12-26
Pool and parking, Nov 24, 2013
Equinox, 2013.11.24
The man with a beret in the pool, Aug 12, 2013
Parking lot hit and run, May 8, 2013
The Diva, April 2013
The parking lot, holes, after holes after the snowy winter, 2013.03.20
A busy Sunday, Mar 10, 2013
The parking situation, March 4, 2013
The hand paddles, Feb 27, 2013
The mandarin ducks, Feb 14, 2013
She’s so nice today, Jan 24, 2013
Taking a fly, 2013.01.17
The torso rotation, Jan 13, 2013
Feeling threatened, Jan 6, 2013
The $2,380, Jan 2, 2013
Percent fat estimate for women and men, Dec 27, 2012
An official sissy, Dec 7, 2012 – 1st assessment
Warm water for the cold day
The riveting picture of Alex Meyer with a long trail in the Walden Pond, left me in his wake. Making sense or too Chinglish? In any case, I was inspired and made to the pool yesterday. Finally.
Nothing has changed since my last outing, except, my arm hurt and my timing was terrible. I actually felt very light upon entering the water and got to a good start. However, my arm wasn’t cooperating. I’ve been playing tennis non-stop with the sore arm, hopefully, it would and could cope with tennis for the near future.
The water temperature in the pool was bit high and the shower water [there are only on button at showers; temp is fixed] was warmer than usual. For the first cold day of the autumn, it was welcoming thou.
Finishing the day with two sets 6-3 and 6-7 plus a 10-point super tie break [11] at Bay Terrace in the night. I was pretty popped.
From Walden Pond to the Olympics
Alex Trautwig for The New York Times
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Swimming anyone??? Swimmer [Alex Meyer] Thrives in Open Water. Such beautiful picture. It’s on the front page of the New York Times Sports, horizontally displayed. I remembered reading Fran Crippen‘s tragedy during a 10-kilometer race contested in the United Arab Emirates last year.
I haven’t hit the pool in a few months. My heart aches for it. Last time when I was out on the Long Island Sound, my first instinct was jump in [to the water]. When I saw someone water skiing, I simply drooled. It’s a torture to watch.
I got to find some time to swim!
Taoranting Park 陶然亭 swimming pool
陶然亭是清代名亭，现为中国四大历史名亭之一 Taoranting is the name of the Qing Dynasty pavilion, now a China one of the four historic Pavilion.
It’s just a stone throw away from Xiaoyi‘s apartment. We went there swimming from time to time. King had his yellow bathing suit. The third time we were there, the young eager life guard or door man said,
“I think it’s enough that he should change to a proper bathing suit.”
“Oh, it’s his bathing suit.” I wasn’t thinking straight.
The young man’s face turned red. “Don’t you think I’m a hicky. .. just because you’re from USA .. ”
Actually everyone wore speedo type of swimming wears in China, like the Europeans. Only the Americans who wears large shorts to the pool.
I tried to explain to the young man but he won’t hear it at all. He thought I insulted him. To make peace, I got King a speedo.
“Mom, it’s too small .. ” and he refused to wear it.
25 mins
I haven’t gone to swim in a few weeks. My arms were less tired than my last time but my timing was awful: 25 long minutes for the 40 laps. The swimmers in the lane was average and in the beginning they behaved nicely, by half time, one of the swimmers began to bolt right after I came in and he swam slow. I had to move to another lane which was emptier.
The over all behavior has improved tremendously. I used to think to participate in more meets after I turned 50 but now I can’t get myself moving in the lane. Booo hooo…
I just renewed my recreation pass, still at $75 but it will increase to $150 on July 1.
We’re not done yet
In the locker room at the Morrison Hill 摩理臣山道 public swimming pool. The two hair dryers mounted high on the wall. One was broken and one was being used by a little girl. I sat on the bench waiting for my turn. When the cycle was over, she tried to reach the On button but was too short. So I got up and walked over, meant to push it for her. But before I got close enough to push, she held up her hands, telling me
“I’m not done yet.”
I was very sad. In her young heart, she didn’t believe that some one was willing to help but to take it away from her.
“We’re not done yet.” The mother hissed behind me.
Oh well ..
She beats me ..
At a resort in Changping, Beijing, July 26, 2003
A great day: got to swim with Pumpkin!
Due to a conversation I had with the girls at the pool, Pumpkin decided to go for a life guard certificate. The class had began but the trainer said she could join mid way if she passed the try out. While waiting for the try out, I asked her to swim a little, with me. She readily agreed.
“Gosh, Mom, I haven’t swam perhaps since middle school.”
The middle and high schools share one pool and there are 4 school teams. Her middle school girls’ team falls into the same time slot as tennis. So after middle school she decided to give up swimming team for tennis.
Gosh, Love, that’s sad.
I’ve been trying to get them to swim .. don’t even get me started.
The pool was pretty empty so as soon as she got in, there we went. 25 yard, she beat me by couple of body lengths, effortlessly. Back again, she won hand down.
Soon she went off for the try out. For a rare moment, I stopped by the edge of the pool and recall the times .. a little water baby by birth .. I couldn’t suppress my smile. The very first time I took her to swim, she was only few months old. The moment we dip into the pool she maneuvered free out of my arms, just liked the way as soon as I put on a pair of skate, she went off without wasting a moment. As if she knew how to swim and skate, by birth. There was moments at our town pool when the life guard would pick on her height (too short for the main pool). She would tip toe trying to pass the height requirement. There was giggles when I did my flip turns and they sat at the edge: our arrangement that I played with them then they would sit and watch me do laps. Each turn would bring more laughter .. some sweet memory.
P.S. .. she didn’t go after all ..
