Swimming Etiquette

Swimmers should observe and respect the pace and workout routines of other swimmers in their lane - especially when circle swimming - avoiding actions that are likely to interfere with those routines.  Examples include:

1)  Slower swimmers starting a set should wait to push off the wall until faster swimmers have passed (i.e. don’t push off right in front of a faster swimmer who’s coming into the wall about to turn, as this blocks the faster swimmer).  Slower swimmers should push off almost immediately behind a faster individual or group, thus extending the time until they are lapped again and need to stop.

2)   Faster swimmers starting a set should give slower swimmers as much “running room” as possible before pushing off, (rather than jumping right behind and immediately tapping their toes to move over.)

3)   Allow swimmers doing faster strokes to go ahead.  For example, those swimmers doing stroke drills, or a using a kickboard should stay aware of the likely need to give way to swimmers doing freestyle.

4)   Swimmers resting or otherwise waiting at the wall should stay far to one side of the lane, (preferably at the right from the perspective of an approaching swimmer, or the left from their own perspective looking back up the pool).  Resting swimmers should specifically avoid standing or floating in the middle of the lane as this interferes with swimmers  "swimming through" who need to touch or flip at the wall.  If the lane is crowded, other swimmers may need to rest out away from the wall along either side of the lane.

5)   When circle swimming, swimmers should never stop in the middle of a length (e.g., to adjust goggles), as this may cause a trailing swimmer to run into them.  it's best to continue to the wall and stop there.  Even when you are the only person in your lane please swim circles just in case some one joins later.

A swimmer entering an open lane, or joining one person should take the time to watch the speed of the swimmer and enter at the correct time.  Notify that swimmer of his/her presence before starting to swim Please do not jump or dive in front of them.

If it's not obvious, ask the coach

When passing...

An overtaking swimmer should gently but distinctly touch the feet of the swimmer being overtaken.  It may take two or three touches, but overtaking swimmers should not need to repeatedly slap or grab at the legs of a slower swimmer to politely make their presence known.

Swimmers enjoying a draft behind a strong lead swimmer, but who are just barely able to hold that pace should think twice before tagging the leader's toes and requesting to move ahead.  In such situations, it's highly unlikely that the (formerly) trailing swimmer will be able to hold the same pace for very long when leading without the draft.  This can lead to repeated "leap-frogging" and unnecessary contact, which can be annoying and disruptive for everyone in the lane.

Drafting swimmers not wishing to pass should swim far enough back from a lead swimmer that they don’t inadvertently touch the lead swimmer’s toes.

In the case that a strong swimmer finds him or herself at the back of a line of several slower swimmers in circle format, it is acceptable (after looking carefully) to move to the other side of the lane mid-length and proceed in the opposite direction, somewhat ahead of the line s/he had been trailing.  This should only be done in cases where the lane is relatively crowded,

When being passed...

A lead swimmer who feels a touch on the feet from an overtaking swimmer, should continue to the next wall, then stop in the corner of the lane to let faster swimmer(s) past.  A single light touch may be accidental and can be ignored, but two or more distinct touches should be regarded as a request to swim through.

A swimmer who has been touched on the feet should move to a corner of the lane as soon as they get to the next wall in order to make way for passing swimmers turning there.  It's best if the touched/stopping swimmer moves immediately to the far right corner (from the perspective of an approaching swimmer), which would be the far left corner (from their own perspective looking back up the pool).  This routine applies as well to swimmers stopping of their own accord, (i.e., even if they haven't been tagged on the toes), since another swimmer who hasn't seen fit to touch toes may be right behind.

In circle format, swimmers should always stay aware of the gap behind them to the next swimmer, and try to anticipate when that swimmer (if s/he is faster) is likely to overtake him/her.  This is easily accomplished by looking back just before or during each turn..

A lead swimmer who sees another swimmer coming up close behind as s/he turns at the wall should consider stopping and moving over immediately at that wall in order to let the faster swimmer past - rather than blocking that swimmer for an entire length to the next wall, creating a situation where toe-touching becomes necessary.

If more than one swimmer is bunched close behind, the swimmer being overtaken should allow the entire group of faster swimmers to pass before pushing off the wall again (i.e. don’t push off right in front of someone else who’s also obviously faster.)

Swimmers being overtaken should not attempt to speed up (or slow down) once ‘tagged’, nor should they jump in and ‘tag back’ the new lead swimmer on the next lap.

All swimmers should...

Be aware of how ‘wide’ stroke mechanics may impact adjacent swimmers.  Some peoples' wide recoveries can hit swimmers in other lanes.

Respect the ‘toys’ of other swimmers.   (Whether the device is pool property or private property).