Lane Etiquette

Warmup

Please try to arrive on time for the warmup. This will help ensure your body is ready for the workout and that lane order is well organized.

  • If you are late, do not start from the beginning; join in where everyone else in your lane is at.

Lane Direction

Typically, ropes are only in place every second lane. To minimize hitting other swimmers, each lane will typically follow the lane rope (or wall if lanes 1 or 8) down the pool and swim side by side back in the middle. As this may differ based on your swim, if you are unsure which side to “swim down”, ask a lane mate or the coach.

  • Remember to watch the clock and leave at least 5 seconds after the swimmer in front of you so that you have enough room to swim.
  • Coming to the wall for your turn, move to the center of the lane, turn, and push off on the opposite side. This will reduce the risk of collisions caused by someone turning and then pushing off on the same side that they just swam down (into the swimmer behind them).
  • Please stay out of the middle of the lane when resting at the end of the pool. If you are in the middle, no one can get by or touch the wall when finishing (or someone flip turns on you). If you need a rest, huddle next to the lane rope or in the corner.

Lane Order

Please choose a lane with similar paced swimmers. Then as a lane, please organize yourselves in an appropriate order for each set to avoid unnecessary passing /congestion. E.g., if you're a great kicker, you should lead the lane for a kick set but may fall further to back during a breaststroke set. If you are struggling to keep up, consider moving down a lane- or up if you are way ahead.

  • If you need pass the swimmer ahead of you, please confer with the swimmer between intervals rather than trying pass in the middle of a set.
  • There should never be any (intentional) physical contact with other swimmers. If you catch up to someone, please do not tap their feet/touch them in any manner. Do not swim over them either.

Pace Clocks

Learn how to read the pace clock. Tracking your workout on a watch is fine but the lane should follow a pace clock so everyone is in sync with the timing of each interval and the coach can follow the lane’s progress. Before start of a set, the lane should know when the leader is leaving.

Workouts

Learn to read the boards- you should not always rely on your lane mates. If you are unsure of what you are doing, ask questions of your coach or lane mates. This is especially important if you are leading the lane. If you don't know what you are doing, or what is next, then the whole lane may have to stop and reorganize, which can be frustrating.

  • If you have a limitation (temporary or permanent) that impacts on your ability to do a workout, please make sure you mention it to the coach. Working with your coach, you can often find a way to modify the workout- noting you may need to move down a lane for the modified workout.

Positive Experience

We all play a part in the enjoyment we get from a swim workout.

  • Be courteous and respectful to your lane mates, the coaches and lifeguards. Coaches and the NMSC Executive will address issues.
  • Be aware of what is happening around you. Stay in your “own lane”. Lack of awareness/swimming in one's own 'bubble' is a frequent issue which can result in arguments/issues within a lane.

Have Fun

Finally, have fun- we’re all half naked in a warm bucket of chlorine. Enjoy it!