I’m fairly new to indoor swimming. This particular pool is at the Y. This was 3 lane lap; the other lane they were using for lessons. So today I went there and there were two girls standing in the shallow lane. I waited a few minutes and came back. They weren’t swimming but just standing there. I got in and started swimming and they said that this lane belongs to them. I said for 10 minutes you guys were just standing there. They responded that they were getting used to the temp. This other guy overheard and said to ignore them but he’s getting out; I can come over… What is the proper etiquette here? Thanks.
If they aren’t swimming, they shouldn’t be complaining. They’re in a public space and have no obligation to a lane just for themselves. If the other lane is open though, just use that one.
Windsor said:
If they aren’t swimming, they shouldn’t be complaining. They’re in a public space and have no obligation to a lane just for themselves. If the other lane is open though, just use that one.
They were just standing there. I peeked the pool area and left back to the locker and changed to my trunks. I came back and stood there for a few more minutes and they were standing in the same spot more or less. There were no other open lanes at the time. It was only when I came and started swimming that they then decided that they wanted to swim??
Windsor said:
If they aren’t swimming, they shouldn’t be complaining. They’re in a public space and have no obligation to a lane just for themselves. If the other lane is open though, just use that one.
They can’t claim a lane just to stand there. If you’re actively swimming and they’re not, you have every right to use it. That’s what lap lanes are for—swimming laps, not hanging out.
Obnoxious butterfly. You can’t hog a lane, even if you are swimming which they aren’t. If you want to stand around and chat, go to the spa pool.
The Y is a community space; if you can share without putting anyone in danger, you are good. If you are not sure, ask a lifeguard. I agree with the guy that overheard you—ignore them.
If it’s a speed-designated lane, use the lane that matches your speed based on what others are doing. If there is no speed designation, take an empty lane if one is available. If no empty lane is available, you can lower your legs by the rope into the water to let others know that you’re entering the lane. If they don’t acknowledge your existence by moving to one side after a lap or two or while resting, then get all the way into the water and stand in the corner of the lane. You can start swimming after they’ve come to the wall. Everything else is just not an issue worth thinking about. They don’t own the lane, and the lane is for swimming, not standing.
They don’t ‘own’ a lane unless they’ve actually booked it. If they’re not swimming, that’s fine as long as they stay at the wall and don’t obstruct other swimmers.
Crosby said:
They don’t ‘own’ a lane unless they’ve actually booked it. If they’re not swimming, that’s fine as long as they stay at the wall and don’t obstruct other swimmers.
Unless there’s a clear sign RESERVED 2 PM - 4 PM or something like that, I’d just ignore any talks about ‘their lane’.
Get in and swim. If there’s 2 people, split the lane; if there’s three, circle swim. Look around the pool deck for signage to support sharing lanes. Most pools have them.
Ellery said:
Get in and swim. If there’s 2 people, split the lane; if there’s three, circle swim. Look around the pool deck for signage to support sharing lanes. Most pools have them.
Thanks for the info; I was thinking something like that. I’m friendly with one of the lifeguards there; I will run the situation by him when I see him.
@Ellis
Also, the two worst groups at sharing tend to be male triathletes and some seniors. I’m 62; our daughter was a swimmer through college and I have seen it all. I’m turtle speed so I look for appropriate spaces that match my speed. If I’m alone in a lane and someone enters the deck, I move to the side to split. Happy swimming.
The proper etiquette is to be respectful of others, just like everything else in life. Nobody owns the lane at a public session at a public pool, and they were rude and self-important.
It is polite to ask first if it’s okay to join a lane where there are already swimmers. Instead of just starting to swim, you could have asked first. However, their answer really can’t be ‘no this lane belongs to us’ unless they’ve somehow reserved it. Two swimmers can split a lane, but three need to circle swim, which some people dislike doing. If there was a lifeguard, you could ask them for advice.
@Jaime
There’s the answer I was looking for. Proper etiquette wherever I’ve been is to talk to the people that are already in the lane and ask if you can join them.
Lol, splash them and ask if they’re used to it yet
For example: I saw two older guys doing the same thing. I asked them both, ‘Hey, do you guys mind if I swim laps on the inside of the lane?’ They both responded with a ‘yes’ and moved to the wall. I’ll bet if you had asked, they would have moved.