Swimming in lanes is a great form of exercise – it’s safe, improves suppleness, builds stamina, burns calories and improves cardio-vascular condition. While accidents are rare, they DO happen, but sticking to a few simple rules can lead to less risk and more fun!
Just as driving requires drivers to follow a few rules to make it safe, so does lane swimming. Accidents in lane swimming are relatively rare but generally involves cuts, broken fingers and forearms, or neck injuries. By following these simple rules, not only will your swim be safer, but the lane will be able to hold more swimmers.
The principles are simple – be aware, let others know what you are doing, know the etiquette, and use common sense.
- The FAST lane is for FAST swimmers, who are TRAINING. Training involves varying pace, using floats and pull buoys, stopping and starting. When joining a lane ALWAYS wait and watch other swimmers to assess their pattern.
- Fast SWIMMERS can be recognised by their kit – trunks and one-piece suits, goggles, and usually a float or pull buoy. People wearing shorts and bikinis are unlikely to be fast swimmers and even a fast swimmer without goggles is no longer fast. You cannot swim fast with your head up and your hair dry. If you’re not FAST, swim in another lane.
- FAST SWIMMERS are smooth, produce little or no splash, and cut a clean line through the water. If you thrash, splash, sweep widely, and roll about, then you are probably best seeking some training rather than getting into the fast lane – in just a few lessons you could be leading the lane.
- If no-one else is in the lane, anyone can use it, but always be aware of others entering and if they are all faster than you move into a slower lane or space. If there is only one swimmer in the lane check the adjacent space as another faster swimmer may be waiting to enter or may be a better person to do so than you. Wait until they see you, then suggest that they might like to do so – it’s nice to talk!
- It is only SAFE to swim in circuits – up one side, indicated by a sign, and down the other. ALWAYS touch at the mid-point of the end, to allow other swimmers to stop and to enter in the corners. It is tempting fate to swim ‘sides’ as another swimmer can easily enter and start without you knowing, especially if you were submerged and turning when they started.
- Slower swimmers ALWAYS yield to faster ones. As you approach the end, look over your shoulder. If the following swimmer has gained, and is likely to want to pass before the end of the next length, pull to one corner and allow them to pass. Then follow immediately to maximise the time before they need to overtake again.
- We used to touch someone’s toes three times to show we wanted to pass at the next lane end – this is only safe among competitive swimmers in long pools and even then there have been cases of broken fingers! Nevertheless, it is still ‘good form’ to keep your toe nails properly trimmed.
- When entering a lane, do so in the corner. Assess the speed of other swimmers – if they are faster than you, wait until immediately after they have turned. If they are slower, wait until they are close to the end and then head off just before they reach it.
- NEVER stop in the middle of a length (eg to adjust your goggles). Always continue to the next lane end and stop in the corner.
- NEVER swim past a slower swimmer in mid-length. It is lethal – this is how most broken necks will happen.
REMEMBER: Swimming is fun, great exercise, and accessible to everyone. Keep to the rules and it’ll be enjoyable for a lifetime.
Dr Graham Wilson
