The coaches assign groups and lanes for a "good group mix" (not speed), and there is no flexibility because there are very limited hours of pool time. Lanes are crowded (8-10 kids per lane) so it just doesn't work when there are varied speeds in a lane.
IMO, and based only on what you've written, this is the major problem and is a significant failure of the coaching staff. A situation where 8-10 people who swim at different speeds are forced to share a single lane is foolish and (IMO) is a guaranteed way to create tension during exercise and out-of-water animosity between "teammates."
Seriously, are the coaches
trying to create problems?
