Swimming Etiquette

Something that we all need to learn and remind ourselves each year....

Swimming Etiquette

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, all swimmers need to be aware of the proper swimming etiquette. The coaching staff will review them with the swimmers and hope that parents will reinforce them at home as well.

The Golden Rule: A variation of "Do unto others". Basically don't inhibit the workout of others sharing the same lane as you. Ask yourself: "Is what I'm doing preventing my lane-mates from doing the coach's practice?"

Be Nice: Be patient with each other. Give your teammates the benefit of the doubt.

Be Considerate: You are at practice to improve fitness, technique and speed. So are the others in the pool. The best way to do this is to be considerate of others that you share a lane with.

Circle Swimming: Unless a lane has only two people in it who would rather split the lane, we circle swim. Always staying on the right side of the lane.

Sendoffs / Intervals: Do as the coach tells you, and don't change the interval without the knowledge and consent of your lane-mates. Everyone leaves 5 seconds apart in AG3 or in the case of Gold and Green, once the swimmer ahead of you makes it to past the flags then you can go.

Leading a Lane: Know the set. If you're leading a lane, move to the left as you finish a set. Each subsequent swimmer comes in just to the right of the swimmers in front of them, always leaving a clear path to the wall on the right side for the swimmer behind them. Lane leaders should move to the left as they approach walls for turns. Each following swimmer must be aware of the swimmer directly in front and behind, executing a turn that allows both of them room for their own turns.

Passing: Should be done quickly and from the middle of the lane. Don't get so close that you touch or kick the other swimmer. If you are the one being passed, don't stop, don't speed up. Slow down and allow your teammate to pass quickly. Passing at the wall is preferable whenever possible.

Stopping: If for some reason you need to stop in the middle of a swim, try to do it at a wall, moving to either side (preferably the right). If you can't get to the wall, get to the lane line and try to stay out of the way of the other swimmers behind you. Just because the person ahead of you stops, does not mean you get to stop. Please count your laps as you swim and keep track of where you are in your practice!