Pool etiquette

[90210njshore]

The pool at my Y is finally open, but of course, "adult recreation" time accommodates senior citizens or others without traditional jobs as opposed to working professionals. Adult lap is available every day, all day.

I am still learning how to swim. I can do the freestyle (still working on the breathing), breaststroke, (I apparently do a weird dolphin kick before going into each stroke cycle) and elementary backstroke, but I do not have the endurance to do laps in the 25M pool and I do not trust myself in the deep end even though I know how to handle myself if need be. (Is that a paradox?) The good thing about the pool is that 75% of the length is in the shallow end.

My question is this - Knowing that I want to only do laps in the shallow end, how can I effectively integrate myself if there are lap swimmers in action? Scenario-related questions -

a) Suppose every lane has one swimmer each and I want to jump in. What would you suggest?

b) Suppose there are only 2 or 3 lanes available and all are active? Do I try to jump in?

In other words, what etiquette should I keep in mind? I do not want to get in the way of others. It is frustrating because in order to develop my proficiency, I need to practice, but how can I as someone who is still working on his skills? This is not an issue for me in the summer because I live in a building with a pool and I pay extra money for nighttime access, which almost guarantees the pool to myself.

I contacted the pool director at the Y for feedback, but figured I would reach out to all of you.

Thank you in advance!

PS-If you guys can get me swimming, I can work on getting off more weight and putting on a speedo! (There, I connected it to the forum's overall theme!)

[BJE]

As a slower swimmer myself I can say that working in with others in the same lane can be awkward. I would suggest that you ask to join a lane and try to use the slowest lane so as not to hold others up. If someone catches up with you let them pass you at the turns.

I don’t know how it will work out if you don’t plan to swim the whole length of the pool.

[Aircat]

I don't think it will take long to get comfortable with the full length.

There are some pool training accessories to help technique and make a full distance easier. Flippers, pullbuoy, front snorkel, kickboard.
Speedo make a very respected "pro looking" range in Australia which will be found at every serious lap swimming session.
They may be unusual in your part of the world though.

Also in Aus it is the older plumper guys who ALWAYS go speedo with no shame. So just rock it.

[swimmy]

Surely the Y offers a swim lesson that will get you going. An instructor will get your kick, stroke and breathing correct. At that point you will be able to swim a length easily. As soon as you can swim a length, the immediate challenge is to swim two. Then three. Proper technique is critical. Trust me. You cannot teach yourself this. You need an instructor.
Adult lap swim usually has the lanes marked as to speed. If not, watch for a lane with swimmers about your speed and join them. Other swimmers in that lane might move to the next faster if you are in their way. Trust me, the others will figure you out quickly and adjust. If you are in my lane I'll offer you some help and have you doing flip turns in no time. Because that's how I roll.
Not all lap swimmers are going to be doing a mile without stopping. Some of us do a series of 50s (yds) or 100s or 200s with a rest in between each one. So we have some "wall time". If you are going to want wall time, swim with those doing that.
Above all, be friendly and outgoing and communicate. The swimmers will do likewise. And you will have new friends and workout buddies and volunteer coaches. Have fun!

[90210njshore]

Thank you all! To clarify, I am taking private lessons and will continue to do so. I just need to be able to practice in between lessons.

[rmf]

Personally, pool etiquette is one of my pet peeves or lack there of knowing it... It's not a big deal if you are not a good swimmer but not knowing how to be considerate really bugs me. We both are paying to be there so we both need to figure out a way to share the lane when necessary... and it can be done. If your pool marks lanes (slow/fast) great but I know the clubs in my town don't and most instances there are no guards. There are tons of pool etiquette tips written on the internet if you do an internet search. However, here are the basics. If you want to share a lane, you try to find one that has a swimmer that matches your ability. Then you wait at the end of the lane and you get their attention by sitting on the deck & putting your feet in or get their attention if possible and ask if you can share a lane with them. You the determine ask how you will swim - split lane or in circles. If you swim in circles, you never want to stop mid-lane. They will pass on the left if need be but keep moving. When you rest, stand in the very corner of the wall so they can pass easily or do their flip turn. Always try to stay close to the rope as you go up and down to your right using the underwater black tile as a split sides for you as a guide. Even if the person is behind you, stay to your right because at any point, they might pass you on the left and you don't want to be in the middle of the lane going slow.

One last thing, at no point should you EVER try to do any sort of "scissor kick / side stroke" ...... and if you are not good at it, the breast stoke if sharing a lane. The first being that you run the chance of kicking someone in the head. Seriously, this happens be me on a regular basis from people who don't know how to swim.... often from the lane next to me. Those wide kicks often cross lanes and it just sets me off....

Another good place to read up on swimming or ask questions is Reddit: /swimming - Tons of swim coaches there that will answer any swim questions and technique for you. Great resource.

[...:::sam:::...]

Out of courtesy I always ask if I can share a lane, nobody has ever said no. If they don't stop, then I just get in and swim.
Pick a lane that has a swimmer swimming at a similar pace to you.
If you're turning half way down the pool then pick the slowest lane - probably that closest to the side. Fastest lane is normally centre lane - not always though!
When turning, check if a faster swimmer is coming up on you and let him pass, if its just the two of you, he will pass you part way down the pool.
In Aus, we always swim on the left of the lane, not sure about other countries.

[BJE]

In Aus, we always swim on the left of the lane, not sure about other countries.

Just like in driving, you Australians swim on the wrong side instead of the right side.

Seriously though in the US you normally either stay on your side of the lane if there is only two of you or you swim in a circle keeping to the right.

I wonder, do escalators run in the opposite direction in Australia and the UK from how they run in other countries? Here when the up and down escalators are side by side you use the one on the right or else you’ll be walking up the down escalator.

[Scottiebum]

Never thought about escalators- here you use the one on the left!

The lane system is a bit different in the pools I use. If there are several lanes they alternate between clockwise and anticlockwise. Not sure why apart from both people either side of a rope are swimming in the same direction.

[SpeedoSimone]

I had the same issue last year! Just swim on the right side of the lane, as close to the edge as possible. This way anyone will have enough room to overtake you if they need to. The first weeks will be hard, but then you will jave enough stamina to do at least 100m at a decent speed.

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

[BJE]

Never thought about escalators- here you use the one on the left!

The lane system is a bit different in the pools I use. If there are several lanes they alternate between clockwise and anticlockwise. Not sure why apart from both people either side of a rope are swimming in the same direction.

I suppose you keep to the left when meeting people on the sidewalk as well. When you go to the continent you must be running into people all the time.

[swimmy]

I went to Scotland for a couple years and found it tough to adapt to driving on the "wrong" side. The water faucet valves turn backwards too. I don't recall lap swimming being any different, but don't think I ever had to share a lane, either. I sure liked their tap beer there. Tried swimming in a lake (colled a loch there) and lasted about half a minute. My god it was cold. And it was summer, so called... I could not live there, no way. Cool place though, great people, if you like to drink and laugh and raise hell and fight.

[Scottiebum]

I went to Scotland for a couple years and found it tough to adapt to driving on the "wrong" side. The water faucet valves turn backwards too. I don't recall lap swimming being any different, but don't think I ever had to share a lane, either. I sure liked their tap beer there. Tried swimming in a lake (colled a loch there) and lasted about half a minute. My god it was cold. And it was summer, so called... I could not live there, no way. Cool place though, great people, if you like to drink and laugh and raise hell and fight.

Swimmy, that is not a bad summary of my country! The lochs and sea are never anything other than cold! I think I have posted this link before, it is quite amusing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01KVj8kEjMo

[karlos]

The fist post is the main reason why I’ve been avoiding going to the local pool, and avoiding the lap swim sessions altogether. As I also can’t manage a full 25 meter length for basically the same reasons. Maybe we could share a lane together?
And I’ve been struggling with the breathing (been sticking the freestyle) because as soon as I take my second or third breath it sets off my back (it tenses up) mucks ups my swimming and doesn’t leave me much confidence to carry on further, with that being the deeper end.
I had hopped some lessons would have improved things and even bought a centre snorkel (which I later found out the pool doesn’t allow) But with that I’m either stuck with a group doing widths, or out of my depth sharing a lane trying to constantly move/not get in the way of others.
As personally I think, once I’ve found a way to do a few lengths comfortably, and built up much need muscle in my back to stop it from playing up (or find a way round it), I can’t see myself progressing much further.

[clem]

A lap swim pool that won't allow a center snorkel!? That's ridiculous! I've never used one but it's a basic swim tool for advanced stroke training. Sheesh.

Karlos--when you hit the pool and have to share a lane, ask a swimmer if they would "split" the lane--each swimmer stays on one side of the lane. Then you can do whatever you want on your side. I've split lanes with water walkers, old floating biddies, with minimal problems. The main problems usually come from the hardcore swimmer splashing and making too many waves for the tastes of the floater, but that won't be a problem for you.

Don't give up Sir, keep hitting the pool and you'll improve.

[90210njshore]

The fist post is the main reason why I’ve been avoiding going to the local pool, and avoiding the lap swim sessions altogether. As I also can’t manage a full 25 meter length for basically the same reasons. Maybe we could share a lane together?
And I’ve been struggling with the breathing (been sticking the freestyle) because as soon as I take my second or third breath it sets off my back (it tenses up) mucks ups my swimming and doesn’t leave me much confidence to carry on further, with that being the deeper end.
I had hopped some lessons would have improved things and even bought a centre snorkel (which I later found out the pool doesn’t allow) But with that I’m either stuck with a group doing widths, or out of my depth sharing a lane trying to constantly move/not get in the way of others.
As personally I think, once I’ve found a way to do a few lengths comfortably, and built up much need muscle in my back to stop it from playing up (or find a way round it), I can’t see myself progressing much further.

You have to keep trying. Last night, I had a breakthrough in my lesson. I was able to do the 25M length shallow end to deep end with a breaststroke. For the longest time, I would stop at the line separating the shallow end and deep end, so this is progress for me!

[karlos]

A lap swim pool that won't allow a center snorkel!? That's ridiculous! I've never used one but it's a basic swim tool for advanced stroke training. Sheesh.

Karlos--when you hit the pool and have to share a lane, ask a swimmer if they would "split" the lane--each swimmer stays on one side of the lane. Then you can do whatever you want on your side. I've split lanes with water walkers, old floating biddies, with minimal problems. The main problems usually come from the hardcore swimmer splashing and making too many waves for the tastes of the floater, but that won't be a problem for you.

Don't give up Sir, keep hitting the pool and you'll improve.

Yep, during a public swim session I could probably understand (they also ban kickboards and floats for those too). But they were using the excuse that with the swimmers face constantly looking down in the water, the swimmer might end up swimming into people around them (backstroke/looking at the ceiling is perfectly fine) and that the lifeguards wouldn't be able to tell if you were breathing/drowning.

And the big problem with the lessons, as they only use half the pool, with the other side for non-lesson lap swimmers, you were normally crammed depending upon how many turned up, 5 (or more if the lap swimmer lanes are crowded) to a lane. So would probably benefit me going at a quieter time during a normal lap swim.

[karlos]

The fist post is the main reason why I’ve been avoiding going to the local pool, and avoiding the lap swim sessions altogether. As I also can’t manage a full 25 meter length for basically the same reasons. Maybe we could share a lane together?
And I’ve been struggling with the breathing (been sticking the freestyle) because as soon as I take my second or third breath it sets off my back (it tenses up) mucks ups my swimming and doesn’t leave me much confidence to carry on further, with that being the deeper end.
I had hopped some lessons would have improved things and even bought a centre snorkel (which I later found out the pool doesn’t allow) But with that I’m either stuck with a group doing widths, or out of my depth sharing a lane trying to constantly move/not get in the way of others.
As personally I think, once I’ve found a way to do a few lengths comfortably, and built up much need muscle in my back to stop it from playing up (or find a way round it), I can’t see myself progressing much further.

You have to keep trying. Last night, I had a breakthrough in my lesson. I was able to do the 25M length shallow end to deep end with a breaststroke. For the longest time, I would stop at the line separating the shallow end and deep end, so this is progress for me!

Unfortutaly for me because of my back problems I can't do breaststroke. Well I can, but for a very sort time. Witch is slightly annoying as apparently I have a pretty good breaststroke leg kick. I had maybe thought about staring at the opposite end of the pool, and going from the deep end and swimming towards the shallow end.

[blueflinch]

Never thought about escalators- here you use the one on the left!

The lane system is a bit different in the pools I use. If there are several lanes they alternate between clockwise and anticlockwise. Not sure why apart from both people either side of a rope are swimming in the same direction.

I think it's logical to swim on the left side and maybe try to lap with people about the same speed as you, so there's no constant overtaking. But then again, I am an Aussie.

[speedobillyuk]

Lane Swimming Etiquette... Here's how it should work:
1. Alternate lanes go clockwise - anticlockwise. Why? So when you're swimming alongside the rope anyone swimming in the next lane is going in the same direction - if your do come into contact (ie a leg kick) there's less chance of it being a problem.
2. If there's two of you, and you "split the lane", what happens when someone else gets in?
3. No snorkels. Why? you'd be astounded at how many people just don't know how to use these things sensibly - they can interfere with breathing, so although the chances of problems are very small, they are banned. It only takes one law suit... Same with diving masks that cover the nose - they are usually cheap tat from "Poundland" and under pressure the "glass" breaks... Nuff said.
4. Kick boards and pull bouys are fine (never been to any pool where they're banned) but hard hand paddles and fins aren't allowed - why? If you strike another swimmer with them they'll know about it, and won't be happy.
5. Swim in the right lane for your speed - so bloody obvious isn't it. Well apparently not. You'd think someone being constantly overtaken would get the message, but all too often they don't, or like those jerks who hogg the middle lane on the motorway - "it's my right"... Like I said - jerks..
6. This says it all - swim consideratly - think about others. Again, pretty obvious - you'd think. Most times things are fine, but occassionally, and especially at busy times, lane swimming becomes like driving on an overcrowded motorway, and civilisation starts to break down!! A lot depends on the lane width. Needs to be at least 2.5m wide to allow for overtaking. But most lanes are 2m or less, so just normal laps can be awkward if others aren't being condiserate.

Final note on breast-stroke leg kick - it's suprisingly difficult to master. Most kicks I see are hopeless - either dolphin kicks or some kind of corkscrew kick. Relatively few people get it right. Why - if you learn it correctly as a kid you've cracked it, but standards of swim teaching (at least in the UK) are terrible, so few get the proper instruction and practice to develop the kick properly. If you've picked up a bad kick you have to go all the way back to the beginning and start again, and the older you get, the harder it is to relearn. But it is possible - just takes an awful lot of practice and patience.