It is important to know basic swimming pool etiquette so that everyone using a pool has a smooth and enjoyable experience. This has the potential for getting complicated when several swimmers share a lane.
If you’ve never noticed it before, take notice next time you’re swimming laps and other swimmers are using the same lanes. There are “rules” that help to make this easy called swimming pool (of lap) etiquette.
So what do you do when you share a lane with another swimmer?
If you’re alone in a lane, you can swim following the middle line. Otherwise, you need to begin by gauging the speeds of each lane and joining the lane where the swimmers swim at your speed. Be considerate and understand how distracting it is for experienced swimmers to have to constantly pass slower swimmers.
To make sure you’re abiding by the common pool courtesies, please make note:
- If there are two swimmers in the lane, it can be split into halves and each swimmer swims in one half of the lane. Or the swimmers use the “circle” format described hereafter.
- If there are more than two swimmers in the lane, they should all circle in the lane. This is most often done counterclockwise.
- When joining a lane, slowly enter the water and wait on the side during one lap until all swimmers have noticed that you will join the lane.
- If you are the second swimmer to join a lane, discuss with the first one how you will share the lane.
- Don’t dive into the lane from the starting blocks when you join a lane. This can be distracting or even flat out frightening for swimmers that are concentrated swimming their laps and don’t know what is happening. Normally, diving from the starting blocks should only be done during practice under supervision of a coach and when the lane isn’t used by lap swimmers.
- If you want to pass a slower swimmer, tap him on the foot so that he knows your intention. He will then stop at the end of the lane and move to the right corner so that you can pass. Do the same if you are the person being passed.
- Don’t push off the wall right in front of a faster swimmer. Let him/her pass first.
- Likewise, don’t push off right behind a slower swimmer to directly pass him by. Leave him some room before pushing off.
If you chat with a fellow swimmer, do it on the sides of the lane to not obstruct the lane end for the lap swimmers. Do the same if you need to rest. - Don’t assume that swimming equipment that “seems” abandoned doesn’t belong to someone else. It may belong to and be in use by one of your fellow swimmers.
Of course, the best place to learn to swim is at one of Little Otter Swim Schools locations (Matthews or Huntersville) where passion and expertise for teaching swimming is obvious. www.littleotterswim.com
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