Swim Rant

Adding to the subset of lane etiquette rants, This morning we had our usual 5 in the lane doing an organized workout. At the end, during some 25s stroke/sprint, a younger (ie relatively recent college type, based on appearances and hairline) slides into the lane and proceeds to swim continuously. Good stroke, not going real fast but you could tell he probably could outpace most of us, but without a word. Needless to say, conflicts arise and he goes "dumb" on us saying he didn't know what was going on, etc. It was explained to him that we welcome all comers, but please find a way to coexist with the 5 already dutifully organized people already swimming. More harsh words. What's the deal? Why don't people ask to "work in" or "are you guys in the middle of the workout, or finishing up?" or even, heaven forbid, "could I join you? I'm interested in meeting new swimmers". No such luck. Each of us has been swimming competitively longer than he's been alive, I think, and it's not that we are pushing seniority or exclusivity, and we are usually the fastest in the pool by a long shot, but I would have expected basic civility from a fellow competitive swimmer, if not outright simple friendliness. Now for a nap. dV

Adding to the subset of lane etiquette rants, This morning we had our usual 5 in the lane doing an organized workout. At the end, during some 25s stroke/sprint, a younger (ie relatively recent college type, based on appearances and hairline) slides into the lane and proceeds to swim continuously. Good stroke, not going real fast but you could tell he probably could outpace most of us, but without a word. Needless to say, conflicts arise and he goes "dumb" on us saying he didn't know what was going on, etc. It was explained to him that we welcome all comers, but please find a way to coexist with the 5 already dutifully organized people already swimming. More harsh words. What's the deal? Why don't people ask to "work in" or "are you guys in the middle of the workout, or finishing up?" or even, heaven forbid, "could I join you? I'm interested in meeting new swimmers". No such luck. Each of us has been swimming competitively longer than he's been alive, I think, and it's not that we are pushing seniority or exclusivity, and we are usually the fastest in the pool by a long shot, but I would have expected basic civility from a fellow competitive swimmer, if not outright simple friendliness. Now for a nap. dV