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.
Parents
Former Member
It's interesting that in the US the norm seems to be to split the lane. In the UK, the norm is to always circle, with each lane having a sign showing the direction to swim, alternating each lane. I always circle even when I am the only person in the lane, unless there is another completely empty lane in which case I will swim straight up and down. My logic is that if there is an empty lane, anybody entering the pool will go into that lane rather than coming into the lane I'm in. If every other lane has someone in, I circle because there is a danger that someone will get in behind me and start frantically sprinting one length, then I'll turn and push off straight into a head on collision. Same with two people in the lane - splitting it is far too risky because a third person can enter the lane behind you after you've pushed off and again you have a head on collision when you turn. There are far too many people at my health club who like to get in the pool after having been in the gym, just to swim one or two frantic lengths then get out again.
Even with these precautions, I've still had occasions where someone has got into the same lane as me despite me being the only person in the whole pool.
It's interesting that in the US the norm seems to be to split the lane. In the UK, the norm is to always circle, with each lane having a sign showing the direction to swim, alternating each lane. I always circle even when I am the only person in the lane, unless there is another completely empty lane in which case I will swim straight up and down. My logic is that if there is an empty lane, anybody entering the pool will go into that lane rather than coming into the lane I'm in. If every other lane has someone in, I circle because there is a danger that someone will get in behind me and start frantically sprinting one length, then I'll turn and push off straight into a head on collision. Same with two people in the lane - splitting it is far too risky because a third person can enter the lane behind you after you've pushed off and again you have a head on collision when you turn. There are far too many people at my health club who like to get in the pool after having been in the gym, just to swim one or two frantic lengths then get out again.
Even with these precautions, I've still had occasions where someone has got into the same lane as me despite me being the only person in the whole pool.
