I'm a newbie and just had my first practice yesterday sharing the lane with other swimmers. There were five of us, and it was horrible. I could barely get across one length of the pool and I actually panicked because I've never swum with others in the lane, certainly not four or five other people, and I was afraid of hitting or being hit. I stayed close to the rope, so much that I hit it a few times. Now I'm thinking, should I have joined this program? Am I one of those people who just prefers to swim alone? It was pretty scary.
I know those of you who do this all the time probably think, pffffft. No biggie. But I've never been so tense in the pool and when I swim on my own, I'm fine, do lots of laps for about an hour with very few breaks, so I know it's not my skill level. But I don't even know if I want to go back to a practice. I got bumped a few times, bumped into someone else, and basically made a fool of myself.
I also noticed that certain people displace the water an awful lot, and that was a new sensation.
Hi Denise--
I coach at a masters program that is fortunate enough to usually have a lane for every swimmer (or close to it). I know my swimmers have to mentally adjust when we do have to scrunch together and swim with lane mates. But, I encourage them to focus on the positive aspects of sharing a lane. You actually get to know your teammates better when you are sharing space with them (and that can really add an element of fun - not to mention interesting chats between swims when there is time).
I know my newer swimmers are tense about being in the way or being bumped by others or the lane line. I try to let them know that most swimmers who are used to swimming with lane mates know how to get around you as long as you aren't swimming down the middle of the lane so they shouldn't worry about being in the way. The second thing they have to learn to do is be ok with getting bumped here or there by another swimmer or by the lane line. As you get better at controlling your body in the water, you will get more confident and won't be so upset by either. You'll have learned a useful skill in the water and you will be better off swimming anywhere - even an open water swim or triathlon where mass starts are chaotic and people are not only bumping but really slogging it out...
You will become a better swimmer as you learn how to swim with all of that displaced water from those big guys next to you. All of these things, while temporarily annoying, will actually make you more skilled in the water if you can stick them out.
Good luck to you :)
Amy
Hi Denise--
I coach at a masters program that is fortunate enough to usually have a lane for every swimmer (or close to it). I know my swimmers have to mentally adjust when we do have to scrunch together and swim with lane mates. But, I encourage them to focus on the positive aspects of sharing a lane. You actually get to know your teammates better when you are sharing space with them (and that can really add an element of fun - not to mention interesting chats between swims when there is time).
I know my newer swimmers are tense about being in the way or being bumped by others or the lane line. I try to let them know that most swimmers who are used to swimming with lane mates know how to get around you as long as you aren't swimming down the middle of the lane so they shouldn't worry about being in the way. The second thing they have to learn to do is be ok with getting bumped here or there by another swimmer or by the lane line. As you get better at controlling your body in the water, you will get more confident and won't be so upset by either. You'll have learned a useful skill in the water and you will be better off swimming anywhere - even an open water swim or triathlon where mass starts are chaotic and people are not only bumping but really slogging it out...
You will become a better swimmer as you learn how to swim with all of that displaced water from those big guys next to you. All of these things, while temporarily annoying, will actually make you more skilled in the water if you can stick them out.
Good luck to you :)
Amy
