Pool Etiquette_ depreciated

During swim practice, a large number of people of different abilities have to share limited pool space. Over the years a set of conventions and rules known as ‘Pool Etiquette’ have evolved and are summarized here to facilitate a safe workout. Keeping a Flow to the Workout
  • Select a lane that suits your speed, even if you can’t complete the sets (take more rest). If you are unsure which lane best fits your abilities, ask one of the on-deck coaches
  • If a lane is crowded and an adjacent lane is not, a faster swimmer should move up or a slower swimmer should move down for the workout
  • If you are consistently the fastest or slowest in your lane, consider moving up or down a lane
  • Swim in order of speed, fastest to slowest. The order might change during the workout as some swimmers are faster in different strokes
  • The leader of the lane should understand and complete the set exactly as instructed and be good with the pace clock
  • Leave at least 5 seconds between swimmers to avoid crowding, allow for turns and track your time – WATCH THE CLOCK and don’t ‘tailgate’!
  • Avoid switching the swimming order in the middle of a set – this will decrease or increase the assigned interval and rest time for people behind you
  • Drill the drill sets and kick the kick sets – they will make you a better swimmer
  • When the coach speaks, LISTEN carefully and pay attention to the instructions
  • If you are not following the workout, stay out of the way! If you need a break or are socializing either get out of the pool or squeeze to the right corner of the lane so swimmers can turn without obstructions
Observing the Right of way
  • Swim on the right side of the lane in counterclock-wise fashion. Cross to the left side just before making a turn, and push off streamlined on the right side (return side)
  • If you want to pass the swimmer in front of you during a long swim, touch his or her foot about 10 yards before the wall
  • If a swimmer behind you touches your foot, let him/her pass at the next turn – squeeze to the right side of the wall and wait until passed
  • Be aware of your surroundings; if you notice a swimmer gaining ground on you, be courteous and let that swimmer pass you at the wall. To do this, stop in the right hand corner of the lane so the swimmer you are yielding to can cross over to the left of the lane and complete the flip turn
  • When you enter the water, never dive, jump or push off into oncoming swimmers. Wait until they have made the turn and pushed off
  • NEVER DIVE into a lane with swimmers in it unless a coach is managing the dive practice – it is very easy to cause a collision with an unsuspecting swimmer
  • If you need to stop and rest, squeeze into the corner to the RIGHT of incoming swimmers so they will have sufficient room to turn
  • If you skip a set to rest, sit out on the deck; don’t hang out on the wall if that would obstruct other swimmers
  • After touching the wall, MOVE OVER! Leave the wall open for swimmers behind you to finish at the wall
  • If you are not following the workout, defer to swimmers who are
Rules of the Pool - Take a shower before getting in the pool
  • Don’t wear a bathing suit that is so old that it ‘clings’ or is transparent (white).
  • Don’t clear your nose or spit in the pool
  • Don’t hang off or climb on the lane lines, it can damage them
- Keep your nails trimmed and avoid wearing sharp jewelry
  • Help out with equipment – help put away kick-boards, pull-buoys, etc
Above all, use common sense and courtesy. If you have any questions, please ask a more experience swimmer or a coach – they are there to help you have a great and safe workout.