I want to start swimming again after 5 years. I got a 10 time pass and I will go for a leisure swim at 7am. I am very anxious about the rules for it. I am autistic so I do not know if I will pick up what to do. Are there specific lanes for fast and slow swimmers? How do you pass people? Is there a way to take a break? Can I stand up for a minute in a lane or not at all? Will swimmers get mad if I am going too fast during a leisure swim? I wish someone would tell me the rules for a leisure swim and a lane swim.
I swim every day. I am glad you asked. I have swam in many different pools and there are different rules for different pools. Your best bet is to go to the pool and watch for a bit to see what people do. You can also ask. I get asked all the time by new swimmers. Here is how I see the rules. Community pools have labeled fast medium and slow lanes. You circle swim and jump in the lane that is doing the speed you want. Gym pools are trickier. Most of these pools split the lane which means that one person stays on one side and one on the other. If the pool gets crowded you can ask to circle swim. Lanes are not labeled. You can kind of do what you want. There are unwritten rules. Try not to hit your lane partner. Swim in your own lane as much as you can. If you accidentally tap your lane partner you can apologize if you want or keep going. Try not to do this if you can. If you breast stroke or butterfly do it around your lane partner do not expect them to swim around you. If you are resting at the side of the pool do not take off at the same time as your lane partner in an attempt to race them. This is annoying and dangerous. If you are circle swimming try to pass at the end of the pool if possible. If you are passing someone mid lane make sure you can do it without collision. When you join someone’s lane it is good to make eye contact and say hi so they know you are there. If you just start swimming they might not see you and crash into you. Talk to your lane partner and ask for preferences. Be polite. If there is something you do not understand speak up. Regular swimmers much prefer you ask if you do not know something. Everyone is new at one time and community standards shift from pool to pool. If you need to take a break just do it. If you are circling try to stand off to the side so people can still turn well. If you are splitting the lane it is pretty easy. Do not get out and sit on the side of the pool or people will think you are done and take your lane. Let me know if there is anything else I can answer. Make sure you are taking care of your skin and hair if you are swimming every day.
@Mal
In my pool people usually opt to split the lane when it is only 2 people sharing a lane. I just want you to know what this means if someone asks you if you would like to split the lane or circle swim. Split means you put an imaginary line down the middle and you decide which side each of you are swimming and stick to it the whole time. Circle in the US goes in a counterclockwise route. Down on the right side back on the right side like a narrow circle. We typically have more lanes than swimmers so do not usually have 3 per lane and rarely even 2. It may be very pool and swimmer dependent what you encounter at yours. Enjoy your swims.
@Mal
This made me realize that there are so many rules that I picked up on simply by swimming. Do not worry person who posted this. This means you would pick up on a lot of them too.
Halston said:
@Mal
This made me realize that there are so many rules that I picked up on simply by swimming. Do not worry person who posted this. This means you would pick up on a lot of them too.
Person who posted this said they are autistic. Autism spectrum means that they will not necessarily just pick it up. Having an explicit explanation is useful for everyone though. I wish pools would have signs saying stuff like this.
@Mal
Thank you so much. This really helps.
Here is a guide to the basic rules. Choose the right lane. Match your speed. Most pools designate lanes as slow medium or fast. Choose the one that matches your pace. Adjust as needed. If you find yourself too fast or slow for your lane move to a more appropriate one. Circle swimming is when swimmers go in a circular direction. Check the facility’s specific rules as some pools may have different patterns. Wait your turn. If someone is already swimming wait for a clear moment to join the lane. Maintain your pace. Swim at a steady pace so others can anticipate your movements. Let faster swimmers pass. If someone catches up to you pause briefly at the wall to let them pass. Avoid blocking faster swimmers by staying in the middle. Rest responsibly. Stay out of the way. When resting at the wall move to the corner of the lane to avoid blocking others turning. Keep breaks short. Lane swimming is for continuous movement so avoid long breaks in the lane. Be aware of others. Avoid overtaking mid lane. Only pass at the wall or when it is clear to do so safely. Mind your stroke. Be cautious with wide strokes like butterfly if the lane is busy as they take up more space. Communicate with lane mates. Signal your intentions. If you need to pass or share the lane with someone communicate politely. Be respectful. Apologize if you accidentally collide or disrupt someone’s swim. Use proper gear. Wear swim caps. Use goggles. Follow pool rules. Always check for specific rules about lane swimming such as time limits lane sharing or swim direction.
I am also autistic and just went to a pool for the first time in years. I used to swim on teams through high school but going to a new pool without knowing how people usually do it there was nerve racking. I asked the lifeguard and he was super helpful. There was only one person in each lane when I got in so I waited for the person in the lane I had picked to get back to the end I was at alerted them that I was there and jumped in. Asked her if she wanted circle swim or split the lane and off we went. The other advice everybody already put here is great. I applaud you for trying something new.
When I was going to an ocean swim clinic for the first time I was really nervous so I went just to watch and see how it works. The next time I swam. What if you used your first pass to just watch observe and ask the lifeguards your questions. You could learn all the rules and then the second time you go you could swim.
Great question. I am following here for tips and pointers to use myself.
If you are unsure you can always ask the lifeguard. I do. My pool is usually empty when I go but sometimes there are people in the slow lane. I have asked the lifeguard if it is ok to go to a different lane. They can tell me if it is fine.
Here are the basics. It is circle swimming. If you need to pass just politely ask. You can usually chill on the wall for whatever but just make sure you are sitting by a laneline so you do not get in the way of flip turns or swimming. Do not be the type that hits their feet on purpose that is how you create an angry lane partner.
You should mention where you live. Different countries have different rules. Some things that are considered polite in one place can be horribly rude in others.
The most important thing is to remember that getting passed is easy passing is hard and annoying. So try to avoid getting passed by checking out where the faster people are and letting them pass. My rule of thumb is that if you get passed before half the lane you probably should have waited.
According to some people on this forum you are not allowed to use a toilet if you need to go to the bathroom. You have to go in the pool water.
Conley said:
According to some people on this forum you are not allowed to use a toilet if you need to go to the bathroom. You have to go in the pool water.
You should not pee in the pool. It never goes away unless the pool is drained.
If you are in the US you have to use the bathroom before you get in the pool.