Lane Etiquette

 To ensure everyone gets the most out of our lane swimming sessions, it would help if everyone adhered to some basic points. Please… 

• Pick a lane most suitable to your ability before entering the pool.
• Wait until swimmers have turned and pushed off before entering the pool. 
• Swim clockwise / anti-clockwise according to the signs located on each lane. 
• Be aware of other swimmers entering the pool. 
• Be willing to switch lane if your swimming speed is not similar to the others in the lane. 
• Rest in the corner of the lane when you stop. 
• If swimming on your back observe the flags located over each lane, these indicate that you are 5 metres away from the poolside. 
• There should be no more than 10 bathers in each lane. (This number can be increased for swimming clubs and gala warmups, dependant on suitable risk assessment). 
• Give way to faster swimmers at the end of the lane. 
• Be conscious of oncoming swimmers and only overtake when it is clear. 
• Be aware of other swimmers needing to pass if you are using kickboards or pull buoys. 

The use of fins, hand paddles and swimming snorkels is permitted within lane swimming only. This is subject to the duty officer’s discretion. The duty officer should conduct a dynamic risk assessment on a lane with swimming aids present. If they deem the equipment could potentially cause harm to the user or other members of the public, then the duty officer or member of staff should either move the person using the equipment to another lane or stop the member of the public from using the equipment until the risk is reduced. 

Lifeguards should intervene if they believe that a user’s actions could cause injury to themselves or other users. An example of this could be a fast swimmer going into a lane with a slow swimmer. This could result in a collision and therefore would require lifeguard intervention.