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!
Parents
Former Member
See, I've heard the swim team that practices while I'm swimming call out distances instead of laps, but where I grew up (the midwest), everyone taught us kids to swim "laps" and it meant down and back. I learned it worked like the following:
An olympic pool is 50m. A "lap" is 50m. If you are swimming in a pool that is, say, 25m - then a "lap" is down and back.
My friend has always believed that a "lap" is just down.
I'm sure that coaches and teams all over see things how it works for them. Not sure about the attitudes about noodlers vs swimmers - just thought it was an interesting topic to bring forth. I guess I'll be a noodler until someone alerts me I'm not anymore
:chug:
Please feel free to keep giving insight - I'm loving the responses....gives everyone here a good topic to continue to debate.
See, I've heard the swim team that practices while I'm swimming call out distances instead of laps, but where I grew up (the midwest), everyone taught us kids to swim "laps" and it meant down and back. I learned it worked like the following:
An olympic pool is 50m. A "lap" is 50m. If you are swimming in a pool that is, say, 25m - then a "lap" is down and back.
My friend has always believed that a "lap" is just down.
I'm sure that coaches and teams all over see things how it works for them. Not sure about the attitudes about noodlers vs swimmers - just thought it was an interesting topic to bring forth. I guess I'll be a noodler until someone alerts me I'm not anymore
:chug:
Please feel free to keep giving insight - I'm loving the responses....gives everyone here a good topic to continue to debate.
