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 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.
Well, for me, I am used to having to be careful my right arm doesn't hit the lane rope when swimming, but I'm not used to having to watch for the left arm.
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.
This is what I was thinking. If anything I have less hitting going on while splitting than when circling because I am more observant of the other person. When I'm circling I'm on auto pilot.
I think I would be afraid to circle swim with some of the folks at the pool I go to. I don't mind doing either and adjust as needed since it's an open to everyone, but I do get annoyed when the person splitting with me gets in the way. I've already had someone try to do water walking while I did my workout. Though, most of the people I end up splitting a lane with make frequent stops at the walls, whereas I'll do more distance sets so they tend to stay out of the way when I approach for a turn. Thankfully though, I usually hit the pool at a time when I can get a lane to myself and most people coming in after me will try to match themselves with someone of similar skill or I only have to split the lane for my cool down laps.
Of course, now that I've even dared to mention my luck at obtaining open lanes, I'll have a hard time when I hit the pool tonight! :doh:
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.
But if the other swimmer/s is slower/faster than you, you'll end up having the very same problem....so unless you can dictate the speed swum in "your" lane, you end up passing or will be passed by faster swimmers all the time.
"Snarky" ?????
That is a new one to me... can you translate?
From Websters:
snark·y (snärimg.tfd.com/.../emacr.gif)
adj. snark·i·er, snark·i·est Slang Irritable or short-tempered; irascible.
it doesn't make it less likely. but we have all been in lanes with beginning swimmers or rec swimmers who either kick breaststroke like a prima ballerina(old frog kick ) . the person splitting get the old roundhouse kick in the ribs. if i pass someone short course swimming fly, i will tend to dolphin until i get by then stroke again. also some people recover wide freestyle and when i have split in the past, i got karate chopped in the head.
or i feel i have to HUG the lane line and end up with gashes on my hands and arms. this is probably for me the biggest reason.
I used to not mind it, but I know dislike splitting. My pointer finger knuckle is now the size of a plum because I tried to hug the lane line a little too close while doing fly. I find I brace myself or overcompensate every time I'm passing/being passed more so than during circle swimming.
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