Hey there,
I'm going to start swimming at my local Y. I've never swam in a community pool (for laps) before. So, what's the deal? Etiquette? Anything I should know? I haven't swam in a while so I'm gonna be slow. I need to know how to use the lanes.
2006-11-10 14:21:46 · 7 answers · asked by addie_f_m 1 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
The lanes at the edge of the pool are usually the slower lanes. As you move towards the center, the lanes get faster. When you swim, stay to the right of the lane. Don't block the walls, because then other swimmers will have to work around you when they're turning. (Or they'll just turn on top of you, and that's no fun for anyone.) If you have to rest it's best to get out of the pool, or just stay out of the other swimmers' ways. Try to schedule your workouts at off-peak times (like during the middle of the day if possible, or after 8 pm.) That way, there probably won't be as many people in the pool and you can have a lane to yourself and you can do pretty much whatever you want.
2006-11-11 07:51:10 · answer #1 · answered by stinky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well at my Y, there is 6 lanes. lane 3, 4, 5, and 6 are more for the experienced swimmers. Lane 1 is normally for slow people/ seniors. So try lane 2 if it is open. If not, go to lane 1. Also, if there is a shortage of lanes, make sure you wait till the person swimmin in the lane u want, is at a stoppin point, and politely ask them if you could split the lane. You can swim in the circle rotation, u know like goin down one side, and back the other. Or, if u guys have a way different speed than eachother, u could have one side of the lane, and the other guy can have the other. If both of you guys are doing kick and you cross, say a friendly "hi" or "workin hard?" or somethin like that. If you choose to do the circle rotation, and the person is behind you by a couple feet, stop at the closest wall or if ur far away from a wall, stop at the lane line, and let them go infront of u. it is very rude if u make them get ahead of you themself. And this happpens A LOT on my team. If you see the swim team puttin there stuff or gettin ready 2 swim in your lane or the one one over from yours, get out IMMEDIATELY. trust me, it gets very annoyin to the swim team! If this annoys u 2, then check when the swim team swims, and swim when they dont. I hope I helped!
2006-11-11 10:10:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely use a slow lane if there is one, and you can't keep up with the pace set by swimmers in the other lanes. Some days you'll be fine in the faster lane but everyone needs to use the slow lane once in a while. And let people pass!!! Even if you reach the end of the pool before someone, if they are right behind you, chances are they are faster than you, and will overtake you anyway.
In terms of using the lanes, most pools I have been to encourage people to swim clockwise. Don't swim in the centre - it will only cause accidents.
I think the most important thing is just to be aware of the other swimmers around you.
2006-11-11 00:14:29 · answer #3 · answered by Tammy I 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
stay in the slow land and always remember to circle swim to avoid bumping into other people. Circle swimming means always swimming on the right side of the black line at the bottom of the pool. If someone is catching up to you while swimming, politely stop and let them pass. If that person is lapping you continuously however, you may want to politely ask them to switch to the fast lane depending on if you're comfortable with it. Usually thats up to the lifeguards, but they dont always do it.
2006-11-11 09:41:18 · answer #4 · answered by calgrlzrockharder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the slow lane if you're slow. Use the faster lane if you notice yourself trying to pass other swimmers.
If you are taking a short brake, don't stand at the end of the lane where people are finishing the lap and you don't want to interrupt their lap or you don't want to be run into by them. Stand in the other corner instead, where people are starting the new lap.
2006-11-10 14:29:50 · answer #5 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use the slow lane... which is usually just the one w/ the old people in it. if ur just sharing a lane w/ one other person, u swim down and back on the same side of the lane and the other person gets the other half. if u r sharing w/ 2 or more people u have 2 follow the circle swim rule.... go down on the right and back on the left.... (well technicaly when u turn around it'll be ur right.. w/e!) good luck!
2006-11-10 14:34:22 · answer #6 · answered by sarah t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't swim down the center of the lane, always stay to the right, if someone keeps hitting your feet try to let them pass, if you keep hitting someones feet, pass in the middle or at the wall if they will let you, but don't run them over. it is pretty much like driving... so good luck and enjoy yourself, swimming is great.
2006-11-10 16:23:14 · answer #7 · answered by swid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
swim in a counter-clockwise pattern, don't swim in the fast lane if you aren't swimming fast, and if there is someone else in your lane going faster than you let them pass you if they need to.
2006-11-11 11:29:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋