Lane etiquette in the pool

Nothing wrong with what you did. If you'd wanted, you could have taken the fast lane for yourself -- but then if you were joined later by a truly "fast" swimmer in that lane, etiquette would dictate that you then get out and move over to the slow lane. But there's absolutely nothing inconsiderate about joining a single other swimmer in a lane of the proper speed.

Thanks! Good to know I didn't commit a major faux pas!




Glad I could amuse you.







Edited by pippen 2005-06-10 2:30 PM

Also, maybe he was using the slow lane to do his slow (warmup / drills) work, and was simply ready to swim faster, so he moved...

I agree. I probably would have gone to the "fast" lane and moved over once real "fast" swimmer came. But you should not feel bad for what you did. The pool has signs out for a reason, and you were following the signs. Where I swim there is no speed designated for a lane so it is just first come first serve.

You did the correct thing. No need to worry. It's a good idea when joining a lane with one swimmer to ask the person in the water "circle or split?". That way they can either choose a side or you can circle swim. When a third person joins, everybody should circle.

semi-hijack:

what about lane etiquette when it comes to catching up to someone in front of you, or, taking off right in front of a person? i think my issue and expecting the same courtesy that i extend to others stems from my swim team days (where there was courtesy) and i just get frustrated that others don't do the same cos frankly, it's common sense...

i swim in the fast lane. i'm not always the fastest in the lane, but more often than not i am (i do about a 30 min. mile so i'm not speedy gonzales, but not a snail either). i don't like hitting someone's feet i just think it's weird/rude (yeah, it happens in the race but whatever you hit all sorts of body parts - not an issue). so usually when i start to swim up on someone, i figure that when they get to the wall, they will see that i'm on their feet and will yield to a faster swimmer and hold back to let me pass. all too often they don't. and no, i'm not drafting them. so what i have to do is interrupt my rhythm and give some distance between us, often times the person behind me then catches up and that's frustrating cos then i wind up waiting for them to pass until there's enough space for us not to swim on top of one another.

the other issue i have is when a slower swimmer waits until i am about to swim into the wall and as i get there, they go! and they're slower than me! and they didn't just get in the pool- they've had to let me pass already. GRRRRRR!!!!

the lifeguards do nothing about it. i've voiced my displeasure when this happens (not often, but enough over the years). they also don't 'police' the lanes and move people to the med/slow lane if they clearly are not fast enough for the fast lane. i swim at a local Y and there's people of all ages that swim here. the med and slow lanes are often filled with much older swimmers during lap swim. i guess i could bring it up to the aquatics director...

i just had to get it off my chest. just be mindful of those around you and pay attention to how close someone is to you when you push off the wall and give way to them.

i feel better now.

Shrano I actually prefer someone to tap my foot if they want to pass. I think you should try tapping their foot, but then if they don't let you pass... watch out! Just kidding.

I also hate it when the slower swimmer takes off in front of you.

Jen

I had a guy pass me on my right (between me and the rope)...it surprised the hell out of me. Jack@$$