5 Do’s and Don’ts of Swim Etiquette

If you’re new to swimming, you may have heard a reference to ‘proper swim etiquette’. But no one will tell you what exactly it is.

At least, not until you’ve committed a swimming faux pas and everyone is yelling at you!

But what is swim etiquette and what are the do’s and don’ts of it?

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What is Swim Etiquette

Swim etiquette, in short, is the rules and unspoken agreements to swim with others in a generous manner. This ensures the safety and sanity for yourself and other swimmers! 🙂

While most of these rules are universal, we will put a standard disclaimer that some rules vary by location and team.

Related article: Ultimate Guide to Swim Etiquette

Here are the top 5 Do’s and Don’ts of Lap Swim Etiquette to help you survive the pool.

Do’s of Swim Etiquette

1. Wait at Least 5 Seconds Between Swimmers

When swimming in a lane, you always want to make sure you leave at least 5 seconds behind the swimmer in front of you.

This ensures that you’re a safe distance away to avoid getting kicked. Either in the hand or the face.

It also helps keep the tempers down in the pool. When swimmers follow too closely to another swimmer, it tends to irk the other lap swimmer. To avoid causing a scene, wait at least 5 seconds before leaving after another swimmer.

2. Know the Direction The Lane is Swimming

Always swim in the direction that the lane is swimming. Much like driving a car, you need to go with the flow of traffic. Or in this case, the flow of the lane.

Despite what it might look like from the outside, swimming has set structures designed to protect swimmers. Swimming in various directions is incredibly dangerous.

Correct circle swimming helps protect swimmers from crashing into each other. Make sure you verify the direction the lane swims in before joining the group.

Related articles: Swimming Terminology

3. Communication

Yes, even in swimming, communication is important. 🙂

Part of proper swim etiquette is communicating with your lane mates. Take the time to verify the following with the people swimming in your lane:

• Lane order: Who will lead the lane, who will go second, etc.
• When to change the lane order: Because everyone has the good and bad strokes
• What strokes everyone will swim: Everyone will swim their best and favorite strokes. You’ll want to make sure a breaststroker isn’t leading the lane of freestylers

While simple in nature, communication makes all the difference between a frustrating practice and a smooth one. It’s also the best way to have good lap swimming etiquette.

4. Move Out of the Way

When you finish a set or if you need to stop for a break, make sure you’re not in someone else’s way.

You can do this by moving to the side of the lane when you finish. If you hang in the middle of the wall, you can expect someone to run into you. Or even flip turn on you.

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This holds true for both swimming in a busy public pool or during swim practice. Whenever you’re swimming in a crowded pool, lap swimming etiquette helps keep everyone safe.

5. Treat Other Swimmers With Respect

This extends not just to your teammates, but any swimmer you share a lane with. Such as those at a swim meet.

And this extends beyond your lane or your pool. It should also extend to the pool deck, the locker and weight room, and even away from the pool itself.

You wouldn’t like if someone else treated you poorly. So be sure you don’t treat others as less.

Don’ts of swim etiquette

1. Don’t Cut Off Other Swimmers

Probably one of the swimmer’s biggest pet peeves is when another swimmer cuts them off.

Yes, you’re anxious to go or to start your next set. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of ruining someone else’s swim. Remember that you’re sharing the lane with other swimmers.

It won’t hurt to wait another 5 seconds to let them flip before starting your own set. You wouldn’t like it if someone did it to you. So don’t do it to another swimmer.

Seriously, don’t be that swimmer.

2. Don’t Ride Someone’s Feet

Just like you shouldn’t tailgate when you drive, you shouldn’t ride someone’s feet.

Chances are, they know you’re behind them and they’ve given you a chance to pass. If you’re hanging on their feet though and playing taps instead of moving, that’s on you.

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Tapping someone’s feet (just once!) is the best form of swim etiquette in terms of passing. It gives the swimmer a heads up that you’re coming up alongside them. This way, they can adjust their stroke for when you pass.

It’s better for both you and the swimmer in front of you to pass instead of hanging behind. Because believe it or not, it’s just as frustrating for them as it is for you.

3. Don’t Join A Lane That’s Not Your Speed

This goes for both slower and faster lanes.

It doesn’t do anyone any good for you to run over everyone in your lane. No one wants to swim with your ego. Just as no one wants to get run over just so you can show off.

Likewise, it’s just as annoying to constantly have to pass you because you can’t keep up.

There’s no shame in picking the lane that best fits you. Instead, it allows you to work at the speed that best suits your current times. And, it gives you something to work towards and show you how far you’ve come.

4. Don’t Steal Other Swimmer’s Equipment

And don’t borrow either!

Unless that swimmer gave you permission, you should never take or borrow someone’s gear or equipment. This doesn’t just extend to the gear on deck, but also towels, goggles, caps, suits, and clothes.

You wouldn’t like it if someone took your belongings. So do everyone else a favor and don’t take theirs!

Now, if you grab a kickboard or fin by mistake that’s not yours, be sure to apologize. Gear can look the same, especially through foggy goggles. But own the error and apologize when you give it back.

5. Avoid Running Over Other Swimmers

Just like in driving, you want to make sure you’re not sprinting over other swimmers.

If you’re coming up on another swimmer, don’t just run them over. It’s rude and you run the risk of hurting yourself and others. Instead, take a second to assess the lane and see if you need to move to a different one.

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Remember to pick your lane that best fits your speed and your workout. Don’t get into a lane with slower swimmers just to make yourself feel better. Or to show off. We promise you that you’re not impressing anyone. You just look like a jerk instead.

In Closing

Proper swim etiquette sets the stage of who you are as a swimmer. You’ll either be the swimmer that’s inconsiderate to everyone and no one wants to be around.

Or, you’ll be the swimmer that shows respect to other swimmers. The one that others don’t mind.

Between the two, you’ll find that the latter goes further at the end of the day.

Take a moment to review your own swim etiquette. Do you follow these already? If not, what can you start working on improving? If so, great! Keep it up and remember that we appreciate you for following these rules.

Knowing proper swim etiquette is crucial to being a better swimmer. Both for yourself and others.

As always, happy swimming!

-Chevron

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