I hear this term from time to time on here. I think it’s mostly Americans who use it.
As I understand it, it seems to refer to the normal lane etiquette of staying right. Which begs the question… how else do you swim in a lane with more than 2 people in it?
You split the lane, each swimmer gets half.
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how else do you swim in a lane with more than 2 people in it? \
You can stay left?
how else do you swim in a lane with more than 2 people in it? \
You can stay left?
doh!
You are correct with more than two people you circle swim (stay to the right) BUT some people on here have said they always circle swim. So if two people are in a lane and one wants to do repeat 100’s and one a mile swim it becomes very difficult. We have a sign saying two people split the lane three or more circle swim . I think it makes sense.
You split the lane, each swimmer gets half.
.
and the third swimmer does what…?
You are correct with more than two people you circle swim (stay to the right) BUT some people on here have said they always circle swim. So if two people are in a lane and one wants to do repeat 100’s and one a mile swim it becomes very difficult. We have a sign saying two people split the lane three or more circle swim . I think it makes sense.
But doesn’t that mean that if a third person wants to get in the lane, they basically have to stop the 2 people who are already in it and announce that they’re getting in and that the organization of the lane needs to change?
Seems complicated.
You can swim 30 people to a lane if they’re all decent and are good swimmers, the problem arises when some swimmers are faster than others. At any championship meet you’d be amazed how many people can cram in a lane at once.
Yea, basically.
Why would you circle swim if you didn’t have to?
Circle swimming = a ruined workout
I usually just sit and wait for a lane if it involves circle swimming. Can’t see ruining someone elses workout. Circle swimming works out fine on a team or in masters where every is doing the same workout or swims a similar pace. But when one is trying to swim 100’s, one is swimming non stop, and one is resting every 4 laps.
Does anyone really get workout from that situation? It is amazing how much better I swim when you have your own lane and can just concentrate on the workout and not who is going to jump in your lane mid 500…
The joys of the local “Y”, swimming is awesome…
Circle swimming = a ruined workout.
Really? You stay right and pass in the middle, it’s not too complicated or difficult.
Are you one one of those people that gets mad if someone joins you in “your” lane that you waited for?
I hear this term from time to time on here. I think it’s mostly Americans who use it.
As I understand it, it seems to refer to the normal lane etiquette of staying right. Which begs the question… how else do you swim in a lane with more than 2 people in it?
While this really only happens in organised clubs, this is how it should be done. Lane 1 Up the left, down the right. Lane 2 Up the right, down the left, lane 3 up the left, down the right…and so on. That way swimmers don’t approach each other on either side of the lane rope and cross arms (or worse), everyone swims in the same direction. For the same reason, you don’t wear a watch or jewelry. Unfortunately you never see this in a public pool swim session. Which means most of the time, it’s a waste of time.
how about over and under 
.
*Circle swimming = a ruined workout *
Wow…am I the only one here whose never done anything other than “circle swimming” (ever)?
Hell, even if I’ve got a lane to myself I know it’s only temporary so I’ll swim “circles” regardless.
Certainly don’t feel my workouts of the past 3+ years are ruined…
I hear this term from time to time on here. I think it’s mostly Americans who use it.
As I understand it, it seems to refer to the normal lane etiquette of staying right. Which begs the question… how else do you swim in a lane with more than 2 people in it?
You can “school” it. Everyone goes at once, turns around and comes back. If you stay in the middle, the sharks can’t get you. This is more often used in open water but it can be used in the pool for fun or OW training.
Wow…am I the only one here whose never done anything other than “circle swimming” (ever)?
Nope. +1 here.
Hell, even if I’ve got a lane to myself I know it’s only temporary so I’ll swim “circles” regardless.
LOL. I often swim late at night and I still swim circles even with no chance of company. Creature of habit am I.
Circle swimming = a ruined workout
You just can’t make this stuff up.
If a shared lane has two swimmers, one doing 100s, one doing 2000 non-stop, the 100 swimmer merely stands to the side of the lane after finishing the 100, while the 2000 swimmer flips like normal. The 100 swimmer starts his/her second 100 after the 2000 swimmer is halfway down the lane.
Although, that might not apply for the triathletes I see huddled together in one lane while our Masters team practices. They might not be able to circle swim since they need the full lane to stand and talk. And that is more reality than humor.
circle swimming does suck when the swimmers are swimming at very different paces.
But if everyone is close in ability, its fine. The masters group often has 6-7 to a lane and its fine. We do have to start intervals only 3-4 secs apart when its that full to prevent the lead swimmer from catching the last guy in the lane.
As I understand it, it seems to refer to the normal lane etiquette of staying right.
Except in the southern hemisphere…then its keep left since everything goes in the opposite direction there. Something about the coreolis effect, I think.
circle swimming with slower swimmers is perfect training for triathlons. learn to pass people whilst very close to them without actually touching them!!! it’s not that hard, you just have to accelerate for around 10 seconds.
In Middle Earth & Oz we swim on the left & pass in the middle…