I’m having a problem with pool etiquette. Pool opens at 5:30am. As soon as the doors open, it’s a mad dash of sprint/olympic distance triathletes who are all training for an ironman they will never do. They run to claim lanes by throwing their pull buoys and paddles on the pool edge. They all HATE circle swimming. At first I would ask, hey can we circle swim and reluctantly they would agree. Then they started ignoring me and kept swimming, so I would jump in and make the circle hand signal, forcing them to circle swim. I’ve overhead them call me “the circle swim guy”. One guy told me that he was there first and would not circle swim, that he would just run into me. I told him, that’s fine as I played D1 water polo in college. I even had complaints about me to the lifeguard who has told them the rules say to circle swim. They don’t care. I am quickly becoming the enemy at the pool, all because these idiots refuse to circle swim.
I know that I’m not the only one that has to deal with this problem. What do you do?
Just tell them the lanes are for public use and unless they have privately booked them, the rules state you need to circle swim.
Tell them it is good practice for being able to swim in a confined area in a race and being able to keep to their own space. If they are worried about you passing them on the outside, tell them they need to get used to people swimming close to them as it is much worse in a race with 1000 plus competitors.
Don’t bother letting them know you are going to circle swim, they need to circle swim by default. So, just jump/dive in and start circle swimming, even if they are already in the lane. Every time someone is difficult about it and unwilling to circle swim, just tell them they need to speak to the lifeguards. If they continue not circle swimming, speak to the lifeguard yourself.
I’m having a problem with pool etiquette. Pool opens at 5:30am. As soon as the doors open, it’s a mad dash of sprint/olympic distance triathletes who are all training for an ironman they will never do. They run to claim lanes by throwing their pull buoys and paddles on the pool edge. They all HATE circle swimming. At first I would ask, hey can we circle swim and reluctantly they would agree. Then they started ignoring me and kept swimming, so I would jump in and make the circle hand signal, forcing them to circle swim. I’ve overhead them call me “the circle swim guy”. One guy told me that he was there first and would not circle swim, that he would just run into me. I told him, that’s fine as I played D1 water polo in college. I even had complaints about me to the lifeguard who has told them the rules say to circle swim. They don’t care. I am quickly becoming the enemy at the pool, all because these idiots refuse to circle swim.
I know that I’m not the only one that has to deal with this problem. What do you do?
If you can find 2 or 3 willing to circle but who are in diff lanes, you can rearrange the lanes to get your circle guys/girls all in one lane with you. I think peeps have to have a fair degree of confidence in their swimming to feel comfy w/ circling. Prob 90% of the swimmers at my club just can’t handle it. Current/recent comp swimmers are the only ones willing to do it IME. I really enjoy it b/c i’m always more motivated trying to keep up with faster swimmers.
I’m having a problem with pool etiquette. Pool opens at 5:30am. As soon as the doors open, it’s a mad dash of sprint/olympic distance triathletes who are all training for an ironman they will never do. They run to claim lanes by throwing their pull buoys and paddles on the pool edge. They all HATE circle swimming. At first I would ask, hey can we circle swim and reluctantly they would agree. Then they started ignoring me and kept swimming, so I would jump in and make the circle hand signal, forcing them to circle swim. I’ve overhead them call me “the circle swim guy”. One guy told me that he was there first and would not circle swim, that he would just run into me. I told him, that’s fine as I played D1 water polo in college. I even had complaints about me to the lifeguard who has told them the rules say to circle swim. They don’t care. I am quickly becoming the enemy at the pool, all because these idiots refuse to circle swim.
I know that I’m not the only one that has to deal with this problem. What do you do?
My dad always told me if everyone around you is an asshole, maybe you’re the asshole.
Your attitude of “…it’s a mad dash of sprint/olympic distance triathletes who are all training for an ironman they will never do…” is likely coming through when you are asking to circlejerk er…swim.
Try giving a different level of respect to these non-D1 water polo players (even if they can’t do butterfly like you) and I bet you get more in return.
Try giving a different level of respect to these non-D1 water polo players (even if they can’t do butterfly like you) and I bet you get more in return.
If they can’t circle swim they are flapping hopeless, you don’t have to be fast to do it.
At the pools i swim at the lanes have signs showing that there can be up to 8 people per lane and to circle swim, it’s not a hard thing to do.
I know that I’m not the only one that has to deal with this problem. What do you do?
As a swimmer i’d swim over the top of people until they move to a slower lane or circle swim, getting the lifeguards to put signs out for lane speeds in the first place helps.
Nothing worse than the 3min/100 swimmer in the fast lane because it was vacant when they arrived.
As a lifeguard I’d tell them to circle swim or move to a different lane with people who don’t want to circle swim, circle swimming is the norm at pools around here.
Is claiming a lane for ones self an American thing? I’ve only swam in Europe and all pools are circle swim. The 3.00 swimmers do come into the fast lane, some move some don’t. But everyone circle swims. In the UK we alternate clockwise lane with anti clockwise. Here in Finland all lanes are clockwise. Sometimes when it’s quiet we can split a lane but that happens maybe 3/4 times a year and as soon as anyone shows up its back to circle.
My local pool is 4 lanes, and no ropes! OW training for the win, with breaststrokers swimming side by side chatting.
Usually I will see if I can find some clear space at one of the side walls, start with some freestyling with an extra kick. This gives me the small space I need - I never meets other swimmers, so no one to circle swim with.
It’s funny, with 15 people in the pool - still three breatstrokers side by side chatting, taking up half the space - then it’s time for butterfly!
Totally. If I ever find myself alone in a lane I start to worry that someone’s done a turd in the pool.
The OP needs to buy some of these for his pool:
I don’t understand the posts about ‘not being able to circle swim’; I’m an awful swimmer but don’t find this in the least bit challenging. It’s just like driving, you stick to the side and try not to be a jerk when you’re overtaking, it’s not rocket science. How do these people cope on a group ride?!
Is claiming a lane for ones self an American thing? I’ve only swam in Europe and all pools are circle swim. The 3.00 swimmers do come into the fast lane, some move some don’t. But everyone circle swims. In the UK we alternate clockwise lane with anti clockwise. Here in Finland all lanes are clockwise. Sometimes when it’s quiet we can split a lane but that happens maybe 3/4 times a year and as soon as anyone shows up its back to circle.
Not sure if its an American thing but yeah your experience is similar to how I swim. The mad dash description reminds me of some people on holiday who put their towels over these beachchairs/beds at the resort pool in the morning just to “claim” them, so they can use them 5 hours later. Circle swimming is not that hard and like someone else in the thread said, it might motivate you to go a little faster! Even though circle swimming isn’t just for the fast folks.
I’m having a problem with pool etiquette. Pool opens at 5:30am. As soon as the doors open, it’s a mad dash of sprint/olympic distance triathletes who are all training for an ironman they will never do. They run to claim lanes by throwing their pull buoys and paddles on the pool edge. They all HATE circle swimming. At first I would ask, hey can we circle swim and reluctantly they would agree. Then they started ignoring me and kept swimming, so I would jump in and make the circle hand signal, forcing them to circle swim. I’ve overhead them call me “the circle swim guy”. One guy told me that he was there first and would not circle swim, that he would just run into me. I told him, that’s fine as I played D1 water polo in college. I even had complaints about me to the lifeguard who has told them the rules say to circle swim. They don’t care. I am quickly becoming the enemy at the pool, all because these idiots refuse to circle swim.
I know that I’m not the only one that has to deal with this problem. What do you do?
My dad always told me if everyone around you is an asshole, maybe you’re the asshole.
Your attitude of “…it’s a mad dash of sprint/olympic distance triathletes who are all training for an ironman they will never do…” is likely coming through when you are asking to circlejerk er…swim.
Try giving a different level of respect to these non-D1 water polo players (even if they can’t do butterfly like you) and I bet you get more in return.
I don’t put up with any of that crxp at the pool. They either split or circle, I don’t care but nobody owns the lane. That goes for the fast swimmers and the blue hairs.
If they have a problem with it I point to the rules on the wall or tell them to complain to the pool manager and then go about my swim.
I’ve travelled and swam all over the world and never heard of that. Maybe it’s an American thing, but what the hell happens when you get 3 people in a lane??
How big of a pool is this? Is everyone trying to have their own lane or are they dead set on no more than 2 in a lane? Are you the last person to arrive usually? Are you trying to circle swim with 2 in a lane? Or is it 3 or more? If it’s only 2, just split the lane. Much easier than circle swimming. If 3 or more, you have to circle swim obviously. If you are getting a hard time from people, try talking to a manager and explain the situation and make sure you do it politely.
I usually have a lane to myself at LA fitness at 5 am. Occasionally I will have to split the lane with someone which I have no problem doing. It’s only a 3 lane pool so if all 3 lanes have 2 people in them each and a 7th person wants to swim, they usually sit on the side until a lane opens up (this is rare occurrence at 5 am). Most are too intimidated to ask to circle swim or have no idea that circle swimming exists. I have been asked to circle swim a few times by the same lady (who used to be a swimmer) to which I oblige. As a former swimmer I have no problem circle swimming as I swam for 20 years circle swimming at every practice. But it is a pain when you have a wide range of abilities (passing someone every 50 or 100).
What would I do? I would show up at the pool with my suit already on, cap and goggles already in hand waiting at the door. As soon as the door opens, I would head straight to the pool (don’t run), throw my bag and clothes in the corner on the pool deck and hop in with my goggles and cap and start swimming. Be the first one physically in the water. Let everyone else figure out the lane situations.
I’m having a problem with pool etiquette. Pool opens at 5:30am. As soon as the doors open, it’s a mad dash of sprint/olympic distance triathletes who are all training for an ironman they will never do. They run to claim lanes by throwing their pull buoys and paddles on the pool edge. They all HATE circle swimming. At first I would ask, hey can we circle swim and reluctantly they would agree. Then they started ignoring me and kept swimming, so I would jump in and make the circle hand signal, forcing them to circle swim. I’ve overhead them call me “the circle swim guy”. One guy told me that he was there first and would not circle swim, that he would just run into me. I told him, that’s fine as I played D1 water polo in college. I even had complaints about me to the lifeguard who has told them the rules say to circle swim. They don’t care. I am quickly becoming the enemy at the pool, all because these idiots refuse to circle swim.
I know that I’m not the only one that has to deal with this problem. What do you do?
I am curious as to how many people are in the lane?
If I am sharing a lane with only one person I prefer to split. Circle swimming with one other person in the lane can be significantly more difficult than splitting if the two people swim at very different paces. Obviously if a third person joins then circle swimming it is and I adjust my workout.
If it was just you and me in a lane I would respectfully decline your suggestion of circle swimming as well, especially since, as a former D1 water polo player you would be lapping me every couple hundred yards (or sooner). Why don’t we swim side by side it until someone else joins…?
And yes, you come across as a bit of a jerk. Based on your post it is not hard to envision you making enemies at the pool.
2 people you split. 3 people you circle. Up to the 3rd person to find a lane with people of similar speeds as them.
If you are pissed that people don’t circle with 2 in a lane then you have a problem. If they are pissed that you won’t wait until one of them gets out to keep it 2 or less per lane then they are the assholes.
2 people you split. 3 people you circle. Up to the 3rd person to find a lane with people of similar speeds as them.
If you are pissed that people don’t circle with 2 in a lane then you have a problem. If they are pissed that you won’t wait until one of them gets out to keep it 2 or less per lane then they are the assholes.
I think this is the problem; that’s three potential scenarios that you have to account for and adapt in response to. That’s too much to expect of people.
You yanks need a culture change and to enforce circle swimming as the default and then there’s never problem. In fact, here in the UK there’s never even a discussion about it, it’s just the way that *every *pool works; it’s like cycling or driving, you just stick to your side of the road and if want to ride down the centre-line as though you own the road, then don’t complain when you get hit by a truck.
Hell, sometimes I circle swim when I am on my own in a lane because it feels weird to swim down the *wrong *side of the lane!
The reason that we split with 2 per lane is that with a 25 yard pool if you aren’t close to the same speeds or doing the same workout, then you are constantly having to pass. It becomes annoying after a while. With split lanes there is no issue with everyone doing their own thing at their own pace.
Of course if you are doing an organized workout like Masters or D1 water polo practice, there is no point in splitting.
