For those of you with fewer than 4 people in a lane at workout, congratulations, this rant does not apply to you. I hope.
For the rest of us, especially those who regularly have to share with 8 or more per lane, does your coach keep the wall cleared so everyone has an opportunity to finish swimming? Or does the wall get cluttered with the first two or three people who think it is necessary to hold onto the gutter with both hands and have both feet on the ledge? And are oblivious to the idea that there may be other swimmers behind them that want to get a time for the full distance of the pool? Yeah, me too.
Former Member
Years ago there I saw an article (probably in SWIM magazine) that discussed lane etiquette. The coach that they interviewed instructed his swimmers to hang on the wall sideways, facing one lane line, so they would take up less space on the wall. I'm probably not describing it well but they would all be hanging on with their right hands, for example, and stacked up one behind the other like dominoes.
I am guessing the entire team. I swim in one of three different lanes, depending on how I feel, numbers in the lane, etc. They are all the same. The coach does not seem to proactively organize, but reacts inconsistently to situations. I am not sure if he is uncomfortable giving instructions to the swimmers (most of whom are older than him), or just wants the swimmers to figure it out on their own.
I have no problem making it to the wall to finish through a crowd, but the hue and cry that ensues is pitiful, as if I ran over their bicycles.
I have no problem making it to the wall to finish through a crowd, but the hue and cry that ensues is pitiful, as if I ran over their bicycles.
It's funny. You'd think they'd apologize for getting in your way. Instead you're the bad guy!
The coach does not seem to proactively organize, but reacts inconsistently to situations. I am not sure if he is uncomfortable giving instructions to the swimmers (most of whom are older than him), or just wants the swimmers to figure it out on their own.
Sounds like maybe your coach needs a little coaching advise himself. Maybe you could (gently) suggest to him that he re-educate the swimmers on swimming etiquette?
Along with many others, this is a pet peeve of mine.
As a kid, I swam with a coach who was rigid about this. If everyone in the lane didn't touch the wall, the whole lane started the set over. Sometimes the other lanes got to stop and watch the "bad" lane do it correctly. When I coach, I constantly remind (and sometimes raise my voice) to those who won't move. I have been know to move them to the back of the line so they can experience the frustration of not being able to finish.
As a swimmer, I ask others to move. If they don't, I swim into them the next time. That usually works. Most of my workout friends know I am serious about intervals and reading the clock, so they don't get mad when I run into them.
