Etiquette

RE: Etiquette

That Guy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:27:32 GMT

Good luck, James, That Guy, and Kirk! May the best :duel:win! :cheerleader: P.S. Have a :chug: for me! I think I won all my gridges today, unless there were secret reverse gridges in effect. (Can never rule that out!) We forgot the :chug:... after the meet we scattered like cockroaches when someone turns on a light

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:19:39 GMT

Haha! HOooooo - that's a good one! Ahhh, yah from Wustah?

RE: Etiquette

Elaine Krugman — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:49:52 GMT

:duel:James and Kirk - 400 IM :duel:James and That Guy - 100 Fly :duel:That Guy vs. the world - 50 Fly (somehow he's the #1 seed) :duel:James and Kirk - 100 Free :duel:That Guy and Kirk - 200 IM We've got a few duels going on this weekend. It should be a lot of smiles all around! :bliss: And after: :chug: Good luck, James, That Guy, and Kirk! May the best :duel:win! :cheerleader: P.S. Have a :chug: for me!

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:56:56 GMT

In UK we have none of this nonsense at the pools. Swimming in lanes is designated by signs. There are fast medium and slow lanes and direction of swim is to be clockwise or anticlockwise as shown.

RE: Etiquette

jaadams1 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:49:49 GMT

There's also Kirk's 200 free, my 200 ***, and my 500 free to sort out. I was surprised at my seeding in the 50 fly. There are a couple college-age guys in the meet and normally the 50 fly is like catnip for that demographic, but they didn't enter the event. :dunno: I'm also interested to see what the 21 year old with the 2:15.00 time in the 200 Fly does. He's the wildcard that I've got to keep an eye on (honestly, I hope I don't see him till after the finish). :)

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:29:49 GMT

Ouch! At first, I thought :nono: then :shakeshead: but now I'm just left to :cry: I'm from Connecticut, which comes from the native american word for "land of people with sticks up their ***", so don't take offense to the New Englander comment. Besides, I find people northern New England (VT, NH) to be much nicer than MA and CT. The point is, if you've never swam with a team before. You may not understand that playing footsies isn't unintentional, rude, or creepy. That's where the problem exists I believe.

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:12:02 GMT

Foot touching to indicate you are passing the person in front of you - ACCEPTABLE Repeated foot touching because you leave 2 seconds behind me, want to draft and are unwilling to lead the lane – UNACCEPTABLE Larry Craig wide stance foot touching - … I agree with this. I feel like some people that swim, particularly older people, don't understand this concept. Maybe it's just the snooty New Englanders. They look at me as if I completely violated them. I guess if I make them feel uncomfortable enough they'll leave and then they won't be in my way at all. I hate having a 3 lane pool.

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:11:30 GMT

Ugh I had this tormenting dream last night about this. I went to a new pool to try and swim. Everyone was waiting outside the pool for it to open. When it did, there were no open lanes. I asked a girl if I could split a lane, and she reluctantly said yes. I realized the water in this lane was too shallow and my hands would touch the bottom. So I got out and tried to find a deeper lane. I saw a free lane, but then magically 3 people popped into it. Then a free lane finally opened again, but a kid threw up in the water so everyone had to get out. Then they reopened, and I still couldn't get a lane. These themes kept happening over and over again. When I did find a circle swim lane, I was always too slow. I guess that's what I get reading this thread before going to sleep and reading about inferiority complexes for psychology.

RE: Etiquette

That Guy — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:04:33 GMT

:duel:James and Kirk - 400 IM :duel:James and That Guy - 100 Fly :duel:That Guy vs. the world - 50 Fly (somehow he's the #1 seed) :duel:James and Kirk - 100 Free :duel:That Guy and Kirk - 200 IM We've got a few duels going on this weekend. It should be a lot of smiles all around! :bliss: And after: :chug: There's also Kirk's 200 free, my 200 ***, and my 500 free to sort out. I was surprised at my seeding in the 50 fly. There are a couple college-age guys in the meet and normally the 50 fly is like catnip for that demographic, but they didn't enter the event. :dunno:

RE: Etiquette

jaadams1 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:39:32 GMT

Thanks E - I am learning from you and the boys in the Northwest where the fun is! :carolers: :cheerleader: :duel:James and Kirk - 400 IM :duel:James and That Guy - 100 Fly :duel:That Guy vs. the world - 50 Fly (somehow he's the #1 seed) :duel:James and Kirk - 100 Free :duel:That Guy and Kirk - 200 IM We've got a few duels going on this weekend. It should be a lot of smiles all around! :bliss: And after: :chug:

RE: Etiquette

gigi — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:38:57 GMT

Besides, I find people northern New England (VT, NH) to be much nicer than MA and CT. Haha! HOooooo - that's a good one!

RE: Etiquette

rxleakem — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:15:28 GMT

Great use of Smilies! :applaud: Thanks E - I am learning from you and the boys in the Northwest where the fun is! :carolers: Our pool is warm too, and the funny thing is that some of the same folks using it were putting in their 50 lap swims when I was lifeguarding and swimming there 20 years ago! :cheerleader:

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:03:35 GMT

Wow,this thread makes me really grateful there are 20+ organized masters workouts/week I can choose from within 10 minutes of my house.

RE: Etiquette

Rob Copeland — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:35:15 GMT

***What are your thoughts on the foot touching? Foot touching to indicate you are passing the person in front of you - ACCEPTABLE Repeated foot touching because you leave 2 seconds behind me, want to draft and are unwilling to lead the lane – UNACCEPTABLE Larry Craig wide stance foot touching - …

RE: Etiquette

Elaine Krugman — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:45:39 GMT

Ouch! At first, I thought :nono: then :shakeshead: but now I'm just left to :cry: Anyways, as far as the original post, the person getting into the lane should yield to the swimmer already there, just like the cars from the on-ramp ought to. As far as foot touching, I might suggest that most lap swimmers probably get upset because they are forced out of their zone, and many may just not be used to this practice ("What, is the pool on fire?"). I grew up with it as a swimmer in age groups, so the fitness swimmer that never experienced it might just be unaware, and that we are trying to prevent accidents. If I have to tap a toe or tickle a foot, I make sure to say "Thanks" when I see them later in the workout. Maybe flatlander's are just not as gentle when tapping? :thhbbb: :bolt: Great use of Smilies! :applaud: This thread makes me thankful for one good thing about the 84 degree noodler pool in my community's recreation center: I get to swim in my own lane! :bliss: As much as I would love to see more swimmers move into our community and join USMS, I am very thankful I have never had to share a lane. I also get my own lane in the coached program I go to at another pool, because there are so few people in the program and plenty of space available. :ohyeah:

RE: Etiquette

rxleakem — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:51:55 GMT

Maybe it's just the snooty New Englanders. Ouch! At first, I thought :nono: then :shakeshead: but now I'm just left to :cry: Anyways, as far as the original post, the person getting into the lane should yield to the swimmer already there, just like the cars from the on-ramp ought to. As far as foot touching, I might suggest that most lap swimmers probably get upset because they are forced out of their zone, and many may just not be used to this practice ("What, is the pool on fire?"). I grew up with it as a swimmer in age groups, so the fitness swimmer that never experienced it might just be unaware, and that we are trying to prevent accidents. If I have to tap a toe or tickle a foot, I make sure to say "Thanks" when I see them later in the workout. Maybe flatlander's are just not as gentle when tapping? :thhbbb: :bolt:

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:29:20 GMT

My my my... The perception of noodlers here is quite funny. There's probably a water aerobics site somewhere that complains about all those stupid lap swimmers. The fact is, they pay as much as we do to be there. That said, they should be respectful enough to know that lap swimmers can't swim with a ladder in the way and that's its more efficient to "circle noodle" (new term) than to take up 7.5 lanes. The pool I use in boston is 3 lanes. One of them has a ladder in it. Usually I can get my own lane, occasionally I have to share, but sometimes I have to circle swim. This is extremely frustrating because I am almost always the fastest swimmer in the water. I feel awkward touching people's feet, especially every lap or so. I'm not sure if they understand that I'm being polite, asking them to pass, and not trying to be rude***. I actually love circle swimming when doing it with people of my ability. The choppiness of the water is... invigorating and reminds me of the good old swim team days. I also find many people don't understand the concept of circle swimming and lane splitting. I've seen far too many accidents at this one pool. Back in HS- one day there was this huge water aerobics fiesta. They took out one lane line to make one large whirl pool of noodles. The pool had a separate diving well, so the lap pool was about 5ft deep. The whirl pool was so strong that apparently the swimmers in the adjacent lane (freshman/sophomores) were having problems with their flip turns because of the suction caused by the whirlpool. ***What are your thoughts on the foot touching?

RE: Etiquette

Chris Stevenson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:55:42 GMT

Sometimes foot touching is necessary for a heads-up, but just be aware that for some people the practice is like when someone on a highway tailgates and starts flashing his high-beams. I *rarely* do it anymore, and when I do I use a very light touch and only when I worry the person will run into me otherwise. When there is a large speed differential, I can't imagine when foot touching would be needed.

RE: Etiquette

The Fortress — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:50:49 GMT

My my my... The perception of noodlers here is quite funny. There's probably a water aerobics site somewhere that complains about all those stupid lap swimmers. The fact is, they pay as much as we do to be there. They do pay as much. But if you figure you are paying for half a lane (no one circle swims at my pool), noodlers are often getting more than their fair share. Noodlers either get their own lanes or force real swimmers to modify their workouts because they are often either flailing about with arms and legs akimbo or are, sorry to say it, overly large.

RE: Etiquette

Calvin S — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:42:43 GMT

***What are your thoughts on the foot touching? Well in club workouts, I use the foot touch ONCE if I am preparing to pass someone and we are within 5-7 yards of the turn. Sometimes people don't realize you are bearing down on them, and I want the person to know that they should not "cross over" the lane while flipping, that I am going to move up along side them and flip and push off. Now the touch itself is no more than a tap or two on the bottom of the foot. This no foot massage, and I am not doing it to be annoying. Like I said, for me its just a heads up.

RE: Etiquette

Former Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:54:41 GMT

I avoid that lane like the plague.I learned my lesson the hard way by breaking my small toe on the ladder while doing *** stroke kick-I did not realize how much I drifted toward the wall and next thing I know I'm in agony,hopping on one foot. Needless to say,since then,if I have to swim in the dreaded lane,I stick to the laneline-and it is understood that who ever gets in with me can have the rest of the space-at their own risk.

RE: Etiquette

KEWebb18 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:50:29 GMT

Also, if I'm swimming at the Y, I just assume that at some point, I'll have a lanemate, so I just start swimming on the side that works best for me from the beginning. I tend to do the same thing. I prefer to swim on one side of the lane anyways. I'm not a fan of circling if I don't have to. I did have one kind lap swimmer last week tell me that I should get the pool side because I was in the lane first and it was bigger. I thought that was very nice of her to say! I told her that I was finishing up and she would have the lane to herself in a few minutes anyway. Its amazing what being nice will do. Some people are just flat out rude.

RE: Etiquette

Celestial — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:33:58 GMT

Also, if I'm swimming at the Y, I just assume that at some point, I'll have a lanemate, so I just start swimming on the side that works best for me from the beginning. I do the same thing. While Butterfly may not scare people off, I have found that monster paddles will. I have two sets - the small ones I use the majority of the time, and the ones I put on when I feel threatened by possible lane encroachers! I sort of have the opposite problem - when I have the good fortune to swim at lunch, because I am able to get there early, I get my own lane at first. Then this really nice, younger, and MUCH faster guy, who can't get there as early, knows I am agreeable to sharing (so many are NOT) - but then I nearly drown! He is very sweet, so I don't say a thing, but inside I'm kinda groaning! Like, if I could keep up with him, I would!! But neither of us complain, because swimming together is definitely better than sharing with a "leisure" swimmer or a noodler! :blush:

RE: Etiquette

Sojerz — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:38:41 GMT

I find it true as well, that butterfly doesn't always scare away the lap swimmers. I think they're looking more at sharing with the single person, vs. circle swimming in general. This happens to me all the time. Should I feel guilty that I'm doing fly and the nearly 80 year old lady is almost drowning? :) I vary my sets depending on who's with me, don't worry. :) Also, if I'm swimming at the Y, I just assume that at some point, I'll have a lanemate, so I just start swimming on the side that works best for me from the beginning. I was also yelled at by a bunch of 70+ yr old busy-body noodlers for swimming fly and allegedly swamping an 80 yr old - she later told me she was just fine. The noodlers also try to get in the lanes ahead of time to clog it up and complain loudly about making waves in the pool, which apparenlty inhibits floating and chatting (must make them sea sick). Even the lap swimmers at the Y don't like faster swimmers cause of the wake. The lanes are marked slow, medium and fast, and no one pays any attention - the guards don't care cause they're chatting with the noodlers. I don't mind swimming doubled up, stop my fly for an approaching swimmer, and always ask someone standing on the deck to jump in, no matter how big there mask and snorkel. However, I am dying to put my thumb over the snorkel hole (Caddie Shack) when standing at the pool end and one these guys makes a closed U-turn.:D

RE: Etiquette

no200fly — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:48:40 GMT

I am so glad that I get to swim in an organized workout. I don't know how you can stand the frustration of trying to fit in with casual pool users. January is distance month for our team so I went in on Sunday to try to get in some extra distance. There is 1 six lane 25 yd pool and half of it was roped off for free swim. In the three "lap" lanes there were the following: Lane 1 - an elderly woman who swam a combination breaststroke/sidestroke with a twisting 2 1/2 layout breathing technique who swam so slowly that she literally defied the laws of physics. Lane 2 - an elderly man in full Sea Hunt regalia (sans tank and regulator) who swam what could be best described as a spider crawl - arms and legs never leave the water but instead move to the sides of the body but in the water in a manner that must be designed to make maximum use of the most water possible. Needless to say, this technique is on the slow side of a crawl (that's "a" crawl not "the" crawl). Lane 3 - a younger (compared to Lanes 1 & 2) person who apparently is training for the boy scout swimming merit badge and is trying to perfect the sidestroke and elementary backstroke sections of the test. It was apparent that sharing a lane would be dangerous at best and while I was not confident that any of the existing occupants would be able to last very long, there were 2 other people waiting for their chance to take over a lane of their own. Back to the subject of this thread, if that happened to me I would make a strong suggestion that the new person in the lane go and find another lane that did not have a wall.