Hi! New guy to the forums here, and pretty new to lap swimming too -- I've been doing it since May sometime.
More than once when I've wanted to join someone in a lane I've found it difficult to get their attention. At first I thought people just didn't want to share, but then I paid attention while I was swimming and realized that when you're looking at the bottom of the pool it is indeed easy to miss someone standing on the edge.
So what do you do? I've taken to dangling my feet deep enough that they're hard to miss, but is this obnoxious? Does anybody have pointers for getting someone's attention without annoying them when you need to share a lane?
I place my kickboard, paddles, athletic drink, food substance packet, fins, pull bouy, white board with six weeks of fake workouts on it, sunscreen bottle, and if really prepared my blue noodle, at a corner of the lane. I then stretch for twenty minutes in my see-through speedo.
I never seem to have a problem with getting my own lane
You are the type of swimmer I make a point of seeking out and demanding a circle swim. Other than noodlers, nothing is as annoying as someone who thinks they get their own lane.
Geek, if there are only 2 of you, why would you want to circle? I prefer to split the lane, to practice going straight.
I don't think I'm capable of splitting, been circling for too long. I have an Australian swim buddy and he still has occasional memory lapses with our circling direction, it's funny.
For general lane etiquette, I first try to stand on the end of the lane, out of the water, and wait for the person to finish and then ask the person if he/she minds sharing. If the person does not stop after 3 or 4 minutes, I then try to slide in on the side of the lane and wait for them to finish or see that I am there.
I really don't like to start swimming unless I have said something to the person in the lane already in the lane. You never know - the person might not have seen you when you get in the lane and when he/she runs into you, he/she might explode!!
Getting in & waiting is a good idea -- I'll give that a try next time.
When I'm swimming alone in a lane I try to stay to one side, too, and hope whoever joins me (if they do it without announcing themselves) will share & not circle.
Since I've moved away from the Y to an outdoor municipal pool I find I have to circle much less often -- very rarely more than 2 to a lane. I imagine it'll be even less so as winter comes.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone.
I dangle my feet for one length and make sure they see me. If they stop, I ask the obligatory "mind if I share the lane?", and determine whether the person prefers splitting or circling. Most people prefer to split the lane, although I prefer circling. If they ignore my feet, I assume they're either in the middle of a set or one of those people that tries to hog lanes. Either way, I jump in and start swimming with them, then figure out along the way by watching them whether I should circle or split.
If I see someone standing at the end of my lane while I'm still swimming a set, I just move over to the far right side and start circling.
(1) I prefer sticking a kick board into the water to block their path. It needs to be placed deep and a good yard stand-off from the wall, otherwise the swimmer might just turn off it without knowing. If they don't get it, then you do a good frisbee boomerang shot at them with the board as they're leaving the wall because then, they're obviously clueless.
(2) jumping in and standing at the end--no good.
Here in California all of the good pools are outdoors. It can get a little too damned freezing cold to jump in and stand in at the end of the lane. When I get in, I start moving. The stretching is sometimes finished before I leave the locker room to make the 50 yard pool deck dash. I haven't noticed if California has the law, but showering before jumping in is not an option if you have to stand out in the cold freezing wind exposed waiting to get in.
(3) Regarding circling alone
I love it when people assume that everyone circles swims, even if there is only one person in the lane.
I agree. I disagree with thewookie. IMO, it's general courtesy to be circling no matter what. I like my 1km swims uninterrupted. If we're circling, nobody has to stop when a new swimmer jumps in. It also means that the guying jumping in doesn't have to stand around freezing to death on the deck before jumping in. Again. Circling makes great sense couresy-wise for both the people in the water and the people wanting to get in.
As an aside, Australians tend to circle clockwise, keeping to the left. It takes me a while to get used to turns and drifts to the other side. What do people do in pools at the equator?
IMO, it's general courtesy to be circling no matter what. I like my 1km swims uninterrupted. If we're circling, nobody has to stop when a new swimmer jumps in.
I agree. If I'm swimming distance and the pool looks crowded I always circle even if I'm the only one in the lane. If someone tries to talk to me during my distance set I just ignore them and hug the wall/lane line even more, to try and make it obvious that they are welcome to jump in.
When it's not crowded I just swim down the middle, but as soon as I see anybody approaching I move to the side and circle.
In general I would much rather circle than split, because it feels like I have more room that way. Less chance of bumping hands or elbows with someone who isn't good at sharing lanes.
I get it the circling thing if there are enough people to warrant doing it. But I think if there are only 2 people or 1, then I think it is good to split the lane, so each can practice swimming straight, like in a meet.
If a 3rd wants to join, I got no problem circling but I don't think it is any less courtsey if there isn't a need too.
