I did a search and didn't see a dedicated thread for this topic, which was inspired by a post by Chris Stevenson in the "How Many Swimmers Per Lane" Thread. I'll reproduce Chris's quote below (I hope you don't mind!) and my response (edited for context). What do others think?
(Hopefully I didn't just miss the thread on this. Sorry if I did--I did run a search!)
As far as passing goes, it is the responsibility of the passer. The slower person should not have to stop or slow -- indeed, s/he should not do anything differently...except perhaps be aware that s/he is being passed, swim in the proper part of the lane (esp not too far to the center) and don't do anything radical like speed up or move over suddenly.
It was interesting to read Chris say that, because I have the opposite view. I think, once alerted by a tap on the feet, the person getting passed should stop at the next wall and get out of the passing person's way. Maybe I feel that way because I swim in a pool with very narrow lanes and it's just not feasible to swim around somebody. This is also the way it works in my lane (the person getting passed will stop to let the faster person by) so that might also influence my view of what is "right". But in any event it seems reasonably fair to me. It's the slower person holding the faster person up, so it seems fair that the slower person defer...
I wonder if people's views are influenced by whether they are usually the "passer" or the "passee"...
i try not to make passes at the people I swim with
Ah, Ande--c'mon, have some fun! :D
My question for everyone: is the foot tap a universally recognized communication? I don't mean just in masters' practices, but for open lap swim. I would hesitate to tap a stranger's foot wondering what kind of misinterpretation it would be subject to.... Not that I usually have to worry too much about this, given my speed. :violin:
During some of my lap swim times, there's a wonderful swim coach for a local high school who swims usually in my lane... This would not occur in any normal circumstance, but the particular swim period we both choose is populated largely by water walkers and some very, very leisurely swimmers, so the only lane where one can move is the fast lane. I offered to move to a slower lane, but "no," he said, "stay in the fast lane... don't worry about being in the way... I'm fine swimming around you." He even gave me some good tips on technique. If ever there was a good "ambassador" of the sport, this guy was it... always friendly and encouraging.
i try not to make passes at the people I swim with
Ah, Ande--c'mon, have some fun! :D
My question for everyone: is the foot tap a universally recognized communication? I don't mean just in masters' practices, but for open lap swim. I would hesitate to tap a stranger's foot wondering what kind of misinterpretation it would be subject to.... Not that I usually have to worry too much about this, given my speed. :violin:
During some of my lap swim times, there's a wonderful swim coach for a local high school who swims usually in my lane... This would not occur in any normal circumstance, but the particular swim period we both choose is populated largely by water walkers and some very, very leisurely swimmers, so the only lane where one can move is the fast lane. I offered to move to a slower lane, but "no," he said, "stay in the fast lane... don't worry about being in the way... I'm fine swimming around you." He even gave me some good tips on technique. If ever there was a good "ambassador" of the sport, this guy was it... always friendly and encouraging.
