Rules of Swimming (Rant)

Ok, after some especially POOR displays of manners at the pool the last few weeks, I feel it necessary to make public the UNOFFICIAL RULES OF SWIMMING.

I. Lane etiquette
A. When there is one swimmer in the lane, she may swim where she wants.

B. When there are two swimmers in the lane, they shall split the lane.

C. When a third swimmer enters the lane, the lane automatically switches to circle swimming. A lane shall be circle swim ir 3 or more swimmers are in the lane.
1.Circle swimming is when swimmers swim down the right side of the lane at all times. In the U.K., Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, and India, swimmers may swim down the left side of the lane.

D. When a circle swim lane has swimmers of varying speeds, the faster swimmer has the right of way as follows.
1. If the slower swimmer is only slightly slower than the faster swimmer, the slower swimmer should allow the faster swimmer to pass at the next wall after the faster swimmer taps the slower swimmer on the feet.
2. If the slower swimmer is very much slower than the faster swimmer (>20s/100 yards/meters difference), the slower swimmer should move over to the side of the lane and allow the faster swimmer to pass.
3. It is both impolite and dangerous to make the faster swimmer swim around the slower swimmer while the slower swimmer is still swimming. This is because it exposes the faster swimmer to oncoming swimmers, which can lead to very dangerous collisions.

II. Workouts
A. A workout is an organized group of two or more swimmers engaging in a coordinated, pre-determined set.
B. A workout lane follows the same rules for distribution and usage except that swimmers in a workout lane may decide to circle swim even if there are only two swimmers in the lane.
C. When a workout is happening in a lane, especially if there are 3 or more participants, it is both impolite and physically dangerous to join the lane unless you intend to get the permission of the people doing the workout.
D. Those running a workout at a recreational pool should welcome any swimmer who is fast enough or determined enough to do the workout. Swimmers who are a little slow should not be discouraged from swimming with the group. Nor should workout groups behave in an exclusivist way.
E. Each workout has a designated "coach" or the swimmers decide ahead of time to each write a set of a given distance.
F. Workouts may be large, organized events that take up an entire pool. In general, those involve a coach who does not swim.
G. Workout lane etiquette is as follows:
1. Circle swimming is the norm, even if there are only two swimmers in the lane.
2. The fastest swimmer leads the set.
3. Swimmers should wait at least 5 seconds after the last swimmer before leaving the wall. It is impolite and dangerous to swim right off the next swimmer's feet as this may lead to dangerous crashes if the leading swimmer needs to stop.
4. The same rules for passing other swimmers apply to workouts as for standard lap swimming.
5. Swimmers should try to take up as little of the wall as possible when resting.
6. Respect the midline, especially going into and coming out of turns.

Ok, most if this is common sense. SO WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE BLATANTLY IGNORE IT???

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella

A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura

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