Hello! I'm a newcomer to swimming laps, and I'd like everyone's input on a debate I'm having with a friend who also swims.
What is technically a lap?
I say it's based on distance. If you're in a 25m pool - then a lap is down and back. If you are in a 50m pool - then a lap is the length of the pool one way.
He says a lap is the length of a pool.
Can someone solve this battle for us?
Thanks!
I don't know. Talking about "laps" in swimming must be a North Carolina thing. I don't hear anyone asking "how many laps did you do?" Seriously, any kind of swimmer is going to tell you how far they swam in yards or meters and will never discuss either lengths or laps.
But I do recall the starter at meets using terminology like "500 yard freestyle. 20 lengths of the pool..." I have never heard the starter say "20 laps..."
I don't know. Talking about "laps" in swimming must be a North Carolina thing. I don't hear anyone asking "how many laps did you do?" Seriously, any kind of swimmer is going to tell you how far they swam in yards or meters and will never discuss either lengths or laps.
But I do recall the starter at meets using terminology like "500 yard freestyle. 20 lengths of the pool..." I have never heard the starter say "20 laps..."
