This is really annoying to me, but why does it seem the first option for most rec swimmers is to split the lane when there are 2 swimmers. I always say we should swim circle if I am in the lane and someone else is coming in, but if I am coming in the person usually wants to split the lane. It is so unnatural to be swimming on the left side of the lane.
I just must be missing something. I see folks worrying about hitting the lane rope and/or the other swimmer when splitting but how is that fear mitigated when circle swimming? It should still be the same number of collision opportunities as lane splitting.
I think the problem occurs for me when one is passing the other swimming in the same direction. You are alongside the person for 5 or 10 seconds which equates to a number of strokes alongside that person, whereas if you are circling you just need to make sure your hands don't collide during that particular recovery stroke. When splitting the lane and passing going opposite directions it's no bigger deal than circling.
I just must be missing something. I see folks worrying about hitting the lane rope and/or the other swimmer when splitting but how is that fear mitigated when circle swimming? It should still be the same number of collision opportunities as lane splitting.
I think the problem occurs for me when one is passing the other swimming in the same direction. You are alongside the person for 5 or 10 seconds which equates to a number of strokes alongside that person, whereas if you are circling you just need to make sure your hands don't collide during that particular recovery stroke. When splitting the lane and passing going opposite directions it's no bigger deal than circling.
