hello, I went to a public pool for lap swimming for the first time today. It is deep enough that I am not able to touch the floor. What is the correct etiquette for leaving the pool? Is the expectation that I haul myself out from my lane (this was quite difficult), or am I allowed to cross lanes to get to the ladder?
Edit: this community is so nice and helpful, thank you to everyone who commented. Consensus is crossing lanes is totally fine, just try to not interrupt anyone’s flow.
Of course you can cross lanes, get to the ladder (or pool edge), and climb out from there.
When going into another lane, don’t interfere with their flow. If people are stopped at the end, let them know what you’re doing. Otherwise, wait for people to turn. I prefer that they’re at the other end of the pool.
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
Jasper said:
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
When I was a kid I would pop out of the pool anywhere. Now I’m 40+ pounds overweight and I didn’t strength train my arms to accommodate the extra mass.
I’m extremely insecure about climbing out of pools now, so I’m 100% gonna put over to the ladder. Nothing wrong with it if you’re respectful about it.
@Aris
lol I mean I can get out of the pool.
But it ain’t pretty.
One time I hopped onto the train tracks to grab a valuable electronic device. Damn that platform was high. Also not done gracefully.
But it ain’t pretty.
One time I hopped onto the train tracks to grab a valuable electronic device. Damn that platform was high. Also not done gracefully.
I can in a pinch, but it not looking pretty is the origin of the insecurity.
@Aris
Potentially you could get a boost by swimming to the floor and letting yourself pop up.
Elliott said:
@Aris
Potentially you could get a boost by swimming to the floor and letting yourself pop up.
In a pool that has a shallow in I can launch myself out pretty easily, though it’s not pretty. I’ve been getting in better shape this year so I might be working my way up to be doing it naturally.
Jasper said:
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
hehe, make sure to make seal noises. Own it! 
Jasper said:
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
Oh yeah my regular swim spot has pretty high edges. Plus I’ve got a slightly bum wrist, so I really have to use the ladders. Like the other person said, I just make sure I’m not getting in the way.
Jasper said:
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
Sometimes it’s easier to push yourself out being backwards, facing the lane instead of the wall. But again there might be some high walls and crossing lanes is perfectly fine.
Jasper said:
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
That’s your opinion. I bet everyone else was thinking look at that cool fecker!!
Jasper said:
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
At my pool, for reasons unknown, they sometimes remove the ladders. There are still steps set into the wall of the pool under the water line, but it’s pretty hard to balance as you get out - grace nowhere to be seen.
Jasper said:
@Ellery
Thank you! I was able to do it today, but at the expense of looking like a beached whale.
It does get easier. I started swimming at the start of the year and could barely do it, even falling back in a couple times haha. Now it’s one motion and pretty quick. You kind of have to give a half kick as you push up, at least for me. It’s not graceful to start but doing it a few times help, probably not the worst skill to have if it’s busy and you are stuck in a middle lane.
@Ellery
This is pretty comprehensive. If you don’t ruin my flip turn, I don’t care, probably won’t even notice.
@Ellery
Yeah all of this… I just wait until the people in the other lanes have left for the other side of the pool before I cross. Even if I can haul myself out, I like to use the ladder because I like to avoid being on my knees.
@Ellery
This is the answer
Cross lanes near the pool’s edge when the lap swimmer is as far from you as possible.
Definitely ok to cross lanes, just make sure coast is clear first! I normally just hop out from my own lane but have had to switch to lane crossings lately as hauling myself anywhere at 5 months pregnant just isn’t going to happen 
I am 74 and my days of pulling myself out of the pool are long gone! I check to make sure that I won’t be getting in anyone’s way if I cross a lane and if someone is stopped at that end of the lane I always ask if it is ok to cross as I don’t want to be doing so if someone is about to set off.