Lap Swimming Etiquette Question
springseternal
Posts: 245 Member
I have a potentially stupid question. I don't go to pools often. I prefer swimming in the lake, but the weather has yet to decide to cooperate with me. There's an indoor pool I go to when I'm really in the mood to swim. It's on the small side. There are two lanes, and a small shallower area. I got there, played in the shallow area for about 15 minutes until a lane opened up and started lap swimming. Within about five minutes, a woman came out of the dressing room and stood at the edge of the pool staring at me. After a moment she went into the shallow end. Another five minutes goes by and she gets back out of the pool, comes around to the end of my lane and waits for me. When I get to that end, she informs me that I need to get out of the lane, its her turn now.
She informed me that etiquette in a public pool dictates that if I see someone waiting for the lane, I swim for five more minutes and let them have it. I asked her what happens then? Does she swim for five minutes and then it's my turn again? She didn't really answer, just barked at me that she's going to get a manager and make me move. I did notice she never asked the man swimming in the other lane to move. I re-read the pool rules on the way out and there's nothing about it in the written rules.
So my question for people who frequently swim in public pools: in your area, are there any kind of unwritten rules like that? I know in the local gyms, there's a 30 minute limit on machines if people are waiting, so if anything I would consider that to apply in lane swimming too, but like I said: I don't usually swim in public pools to know if there are understood rules like that.
She informed me that etiquette in a public pool dictates that if I see someone waiting for the lane, I swim for five more minutes and let them have it. I asked her what happens then? Does she swim for five minutes and then it's my turn again? She didn't really answer, just barked at me that she's going to get a manager and make me move. I did notice she never asked the man swimming in the other lane to move. I re-read the pool rules on the way out and there's nothing about it in the written rules.
So my question for people who frequently swim in public pools: in your area, are there any kind of unwritten rules like that? I know in the local gyms, there's a 30 minute limit on machines if people are waiting, so if anything I would consider that to apply in lane swimming too, but like I said: I don't usually swim in public pools to know if there are understood rules like that.
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im a big swimmer and ive never heard of this. sounds like she was just being VERY rude. your allowed to have a lane for more than 5 minutes . now all day that is a tad bit rude , but you waited your turn to get the lane. my advice ask the manager next time and if this lady approches you tell her you already spoke with the manager. im thinking shes been a frequent swimmer noticed you were new and bullied you out of your lane. not cool, im sorry.0
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I used to swim competitively and would go to the pool during regular hours to swim laps from time to time. I just shared a lane with the other people swimming (if there are more than 2 or 3 people in a lane it can get weird if you're swimming at different paces, but normally there are only a couple of people there) -- and treated it like driving. I would always swim on the right side of the lane. If the other person swimming is much faster or slower than you, you could also each pick a side and stick to that instead.
Sorry that lady was so rude!0 -
To clarify, I didn't leave my lane until I was good and ready. I figure, if she was going to threaten to get the manager on me, then the only person I was going to move for would be the manager. LOL. I was just afraid I breached some sort of unknown (by me) etiquette by not giving up the lane.0
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here in the uk public swimming pools tend to be around 20 m long and there are usually a couple of lanes marked off with other areas for causal swimmers/kids etc. Lane sharing is common and you are expected to swim clockwise (the lanes are just about large enough to pass in) Normally I would chose a lane with someone swimming around my pace and time getting in so that they are at the other end! Failing that I would swim in the non marked section. I would not expect to leave a lane after 5 mins and think it as other poster said, you got someone who comes in all the time and thinks she owns the pool! Next time just smile sweetly and leave her to get the manager. After all you have the same rights in there and if you dont respond she cant argue lol0
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I used to swim competitively and would go to the pool during regular hours to swim laps from time to time. I just shared a lane with the other people swimming (if there are more than 2 or 3 people in a lane it can get weird if you're swimming at different paces, but normally there are only a couple of people there) -- and treated it like driving. I would always swim on the right side of the lane. If the other person swimming is much faster or slower than you, you could also each pick a side and stick to that instead.
Sorry that lady was so rude!
^^this^^^ sharing lanes is quite common, this rude woman was out of line, call BS on her next time and don't let it discourage you from swimming.0 -
Yeah, she was being rude and didn't know what she was talking about. The etiquette is to shar ethe lane, either circle swim or split the lane. People either always politely ask if they can join a lane or if you're in a lane and see someone hovering, offer them to join. Doesn't have to be complicated, the whole if you see someone waiting you have 5 more minutes is ridiculous.0
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My children swim both both swimming club and the local triathlon academy, its a regular 25m pool, and i have never heard any so crazy, glad you stuck your ground, the etiquette is you are behind someone and you wish to over take you tap them on the foot and they should move over to let you past.0
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everyone here is correct- 3 or 4 people can share a lane fairly comfortably if you are swimming at the same pace. passing is also perfectly acceptable. she sounds like she doesn't swim very often herself!0
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No such rule...However sharing a lane is quite common and an accepted practice. Its polite to ask to share a lane...Any one ever tell me to leave before my workout was done though and I would add some shadow boxing to my workout minus the shadow0
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Well where I swim there is a big pool and about 3 lanes , I always swim in the lanes and they fit about two people in so if someone wants to use the lane I'm in they can. Seems a bit rude I might be judging unfairly of this person but it seems as if she is one of these people with a self-inflated importance that only certain rules apply to them benefiting them , if this is the case call her up on it I doubt she'll pursue it any further.0
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it annoys me when the "regulars" try to bully you out of your exercise.
the appropriate "pool etiquette" would be to share the lane and either circle swim or split the lane, usually with someone who swims a similar pace to you.0 -
I used to swim competitively and would go to the pool during regular hours to swim laps from time to time. I just shared a lane with the other people swimming (if there are more than 2 or 3 people in a lane it can get weird if you're swimming at different paces, but normally there are only a couple of people there) -- and treated it like driving. I would always swim on the right side of the lane. If the other person swimming is much faster or slower than you, you could also each pick a side and stick to that instead.
Sorry that lady was so rude!
^^^ This! I did the same - that was how we rolled when we practiced before meets. She was incredibly rude and making her own rules up.0 -
This is the most rediculous thing I've ever heard! I have been a swimmer all my life, my husband is a swimming coach, and we both work partime at a simming centric gym (that's where I teach my classes) and that lady is crazy pants! Swimming ettiquette is to share the lane either by splitting the lane down the middle; you stay on your half and I'll stay on mine. When you're practicing with a team the tendency is to then find someone you are evenly matched with and circle swim your sets.0
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She probably went to the manager and he was like, "Yeah lady, I've never heard of that rule before. You'll have to share the lane like everyone else" :P0
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I swim laps at the public pool, yes you share a lane with people swimming the same pace. They have lanes that have different speeds posted. Fast, Continuous and slow/water running. I think that woman was just plain rude!0
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To clarify, I didn't leave my lane until I was good and ready. I figure, if she was going to threaten to get the manager on me, then the only person I was going to move for would be the manager. LOL. I was just afraid I breached some sort of unknown (by me) etiquette by not giving up the lane.
Good for you! She was completely out of line! How did she resolve it?0 -
Oh dear goodness...
I work as a swim coach and without fail, once a week, some pool patron gets PO'd because the little critters are using a lane or two that they would like to use. I have 5+ kids in one lane at a time, and you're telling me that you can't share a lane with one adult?!
Seriously though, it is called circle swimming. Always swim on the right, it is like driving a car. When someone is too slow go around them. It isn't rocket science. In fact, if there are only 2 people in the lane, you pick a side and stay there.
When I was in college we had a 6 lane pool and 50 swimmers on the team... you do the math. If we can swim 8-9 grown adults in a lane at a time, you can't complain about sharing a lane.0 -
That's actually kind-of funny. I can't believe she had the guts to tell you to swim for 5 minutes then leave.
You're supposed to always share lanes when swimming during busy times, and some people like to circle swim (down on the right, back on the left or vice versa) or stick to one side of the lane (always stay on the right or left side). I usually just ask the person getting in what they prefer.
That was one rude lady. She probably comes the same time every day and thought you wouldn't know any better. People can be a bit territorial. Good for you for sticking with it and not letting her ruin your swim!
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She was definitely rude!
If I see someone waiting and I've done about 1/2 hour, I will give up my lane for them. But I'm there to get my exercise in too, and under 1/2 hour is just a waste of my time, driving there, changing, etc.0 -
I have never ever heard of this! Basically, if you are considerate and keep to the right as you swim, you should be able to share the lane with up to 5 other people. At the pool I go to, there is one guy who wears hand flippers and splashes around like crazy, but we all just work around him.0
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To clarify, I didn't leave my lane until I was good and ready. I figure, if she was going to threaten to get the manager on me, then the only person I was going to move for would be the manager. LOL. I was just afraid I breached some sort of unknown (by me) etiquette by not giving up the lane.
Good for you! She was completely out of line! How did she resolve it?
I don't know. Never saw her again, and never heard from a manager either. I also never knew about sharing lanes. I'll have to remember that next time I got. Thanks! 0 -
Sounds like she was just a not-so-nice person. I worked as a lifeguard at a Y and our general rule was that if all lanes were occupied you could wait until someone gets out, or you could enter one of the occupied lanes. Each swimmer takes one side of the lane and sticks to it. If it was extra busy and a 3rd person decided to join your lane, the three people would circle swim. This means you swim down the right side of the lane, just like driving a car. People tend to avoid doing this because it's hard to find 2 other people that swim at the same speed, so they just wait until someone gets out. General cardio etiquette says that you should limit your cardio to 30 minutes. Personally, I hate sharing a lane and my schedule is flexible enough that I can wait until a quiet time at the pool. This pool may have different rules, but the situation I described has been what I have encountered all my years as a lifeguard.0
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wow! she was being rude! the nerve! i would have told her to shut the f**k up and wait her turn as you did!0
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She was rude. For me I will politely ask if I can share the lane with someone or I will wait. If someone is waiting and does not want to share, I will give up the lane after I finish a hour workout.0
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When our pool is laned, there are boards put up at one end that show the direction to swim, and they also say Fast, ,medium , slow etc, so you can get in the appropriate lane with people swimming at the same pace.
I have never seen a lane with only one person swimming in it.
How weird!0 -
Seriously though, it is called circle swimming. Always swim on the right, it is like driving a car. When someone is too slow go around them. It isn't rocket science. In fact, if there are only 2 people in the lane, you pick a side and stay there.
Unless you are in New Zealand then keep on the left!!! :bigsmile:0 -
Crazy suggestion; share the lane? She's just a *****. Don't pay her any attention or you'll feed her inflated sense of self-importance. I've been a swimmer since I was 6 (starting length swimming at 8) and that is the most ridiculous rule I have ever heard.0
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I had the same thing happen to me at one of our local pools. It is a very large pool though and other lanes were open, this guy just wanted the one that said fast. He told me I wasn't fast enough for the fast lane and I would have to move before he got in. I told him to move the sign if it was so important to him but I wasn't moving to feed his ego. I ended up being faster than he was. I've learned that people all over the world are idiots. Just ignore her. I also don't agree with the 30 min limit on cardio machines. I use to run for a hour but if I was forced into a gym you would have to split my workout. I thought there should be an area for people training for long distances.0
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I think there are 4 lanes at the gym I used to go to. I don't think I ever saw one person in a lane during peak times normally 3 or so per lane. We didn't have fast, medium or slow either.
Now I go night swimming (on the RARE occasion) from 9-10 because my husbands home and the baby is in bed. There are 6 lanes and I usually have my own. Or I share with friend of mine that also is a mama to young children.0 -
When our pool is laned, there are boards put up at one end that show the direction to swim, and they also say Fast, ,medium , slow etc, so you can get in the appropriate lane with people swimming at the same pace.
I have never seen a lane with only one person swimming in it.
How weird!
This is how it works at my pool too. The lanes are plenty wide enough for 2 people to pass and you are expected to share lanes. If you don't want to share, make sure to go at a time noone else is going to be there. As the lanes are signposted with speeds, most people in the slow lane are pretty good about waiting at the shallow end to let someone past if they are going really slow0
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