Thank you to Bill Rowe, the poolmaster of Vashon Athletic Club and simultaneous kitchen manager of The Harware Store Restaurant. You see, twice a year the pool goes through a big ole clean-out which he masterminds. I have tried to keep a swimming habit and when I went for my swim not too long ago I completely forgot the pool was closed for maintenance, even though Bill had warned me in advance (as had the club signs). I was left high and dry, literally!

Now, it’s open and gorgeous and without murk. The only buzzkill about going for a swim has nothing to do with the facilities; the downer I find are the people who fail to honor the protocol that’s posted (I tell ya, I read that stuff. I care. I follow it, when it’s posted!).

Let me preface this by saying I have a pesky little neurological condition that makes swimming pretty much the only form of serious exercise my body can presently handle. Swimming is, in essence, my means to longevity, the way I see it. I gotta get in there for the benefit of my nervous system, endurance, strength, etc. (That and samba!) So I go, and when it’s crowded, I wait my turn. When it’s busy, and in winter it is VERY busy, I observe people will:

1. Bamboozle their way into lanes ahead of those waiting…no regard or respect (see Rodney Dangerfield!). Nobody wants a confrontation so we just tend to wait more.
2. They’ll swim in the water-walking lane. FYI it’s the outer half of the ”stair lane” nearest the locker room entrance.
3. They’ll get in the pool without really soaking down their hair and bods (have you ever tasted someone’s shampoo, or perfume, or lotion while sharing a lane? It is truly disgusting!).
4. They’ll slip in the lane with you without the courtesy of a visual or tactile cue, making you the full-body-contact target by default.
5. They’ll let loose their beautiful mermaid hair that needs to be tucked in/tied up/held back, not splayed out (lest Bill’s hard work be damned!).
6. Exceed 30 minutes, despite the crowd. When nobody else is around, no matter, prune out. Bask in the chlorine glow!

Show the love. Read the rules. Follow them and don’t make people who try to do so feel stupid. Think Post. Think Vanderbilt. If all else fails, have a great swim!