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!
What would you like the answer to be? You'll find ample evidence that
1 lap = 1 length of a pool
1 lap = 2 lengths of a pool
I support the theory that 1 lap = 1 length
My supporting evidence
almost all competitive swimmers, coaches, judges I've met use lap and length interchangably
My government issue Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a lap as:
"the act or instance of traversing a course (as a racing track or swimming pool): the distance covered". The course of a pool is 25y, 25m, 50m, etc, not out and back.
dictionary.reference.com/.../laps'& defines a lap as:
2A One complete round circuit, especially of a race track
2B One complete length of a straight course, as of a swimming pool
USA Swimming defines a lap as
"One length of a course. Sometimes may also mean down and back (2 lengths of the course" (e.g. Gun lap is two lengths)
Commercial LAP counters only have odd numbers and are used at opposite the start end of a pool, thus each lap is a length
NJ High School swimming rules state that LAP counters, who use the above commercial LAP counters, may either count up or down (though you'll incure the wrath of the judges/colorado timers if you count down)
I refuse to believe that the Olympic 50m Freestyle is a half-lap event
It ticks off those who insist that a lap must start and ends at the same location (not according to my dictionary's)
However, if you prefer 1 lap = 2 lengths, there's ample evidence to support that position too.
What would you like the answer to be? You'll find ample evidence that
1 lap = 1 length of a pool
1 lap = 2 lengths of a pool
I support the theory that 1 lap = 1 length
My supporting evidence
almost all competitive swimmers, coaches, judges I've met use lap and length interchangably
My government issue Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a lap as:
"the act or instance of traversing a course (as a racing track or swimming pool): the distance covered". The course of a pool is 25y, 25m, 50m, etc, not out and back.
dictionary.reference.com/.../laps'& defines a lap as:
2A One complete round circuit, especially of a race track
2B One complete length of a straight course, as of a swimming pool
USA Swimming defines a lap as
"One length of a course. Sometimes may also mean down and back (2 lengths of the course" (e.g. Gun lap is two lengths)
Commercial LAP counters only have odd numbers and are used at opposite the start end of a pool, thus each lap is a length
NJ High School swimming rules state that LAP counters, who use the above commercial LAP counters, may either count up or down (though you'll incure the wrath of the judges/colorado timers if you count down)
I refuse to believe that the Olympic 50m Freestyle is a half-lap event
It ticks off those who insist that a lap must start and ends at the same location (not according to my dictionary's)
However, if you prefer 1 lap = 2 lengths, there's ample evidence to support that position too.
