Good lane etiquette ensures safety, efficiency, and enjoyment for all swimmers. Please follow these guidelines to maintain a positive and respectful training environment.
1. Lane Assignments & Organisation
• Swimmers should choose a lane appropriate to their speed and fitness.
• Coaches or designated team members may adjust lane assignments to balance abilities and ensure a smooth session.
• Introduce yourself to other swimmers in your lane if you don’t already know them.
• Let faster swimmers go first- this might vary depending on the stroke or distance so discuss with your lane mates.
2. Circle Swimming & Passing
• Swim in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as instructed by the coach, always staying on the correct side of the lane and swim as close to the lane role as possible (avoid swimming in the middle of the lane).
• If you catch up with the swimmer in front and need to pass, gently tap their foot once and wait for them to move to the side at the next wall.
• If you are being overtaken, briefly pause at the wall to allow the faster swimmer to pass safely.
• Avoid sudden stops in the middle of the lane; move to the side at the wall if you need to rest and be alert to swimmers coming in to turn.
3. Starts, Turns & Finishes
• Always take great care when diving or jumping in so as not to endanger other swimmers.
• Leave at least 5 seconds after the swimmer in front of you before pushing off.
• Turning: On approaching the wall, move from your side of the lane to the centre of the lane; ensure you push off the wall on the other side of the lane to avoid a head-on collision with the swimmer behind you. You must be aware of other swimmers when you push off the wall out of the turn. (see diagram below)
• When finishing, quickly move to the side of the lane so as not to obstruct swimmers behind from reaching the wall.
4. Equipment
• Keep kickboards, pull buoys, paddles, and fins clear of other swimmers when not in use.
• If using equipment that alters speed (e.g., fins, paddles), be mindful of others in your lane and change order as required.
5. Consideration & Communication
• Always be aware of other swimmers and avoid actions that might cause collisions.
• When the Coach is giving instructions, always listen and do not talk. Follow their instructions and try to stick to the recommended swim/rest intervals.
• If you need to adjust the pacing or rest, communicate with your lane mates or consider switching lanes.
• Encourage and support fellow swimmers to foster a positive team atmosphere.
• If you have a physical clash with a lane mate during swimming, be courteous and apologise.
Swimmers who repeatedly neglect these guidelines may be asked by the coach to leave a session if they feel you’re not respecting the rights of other members to enjoy their swim safely.
Thank you for being a considerate teammate!
