So, how do you figure out who goes first in your lane ... or did you bump hands with a lane mate last night ... or did the coach step in to stop the altercation after a turn in the shallow end ? See what a couple of Ontario teams (Technosport and Nepean) have to say about Lane Etiquette. Or try these words of wisdom from Etobicoke

• Pre-Swim:
• arrive earlydo stretcheslisten to pre-workout talk
• help with set up, lane rope removal and return of equipment
• Choose a lane:
• which matches your pace or levelmove up or down to adjust to the workout and even up lane numbers
• ask coach if you are unsure which workout you should do
• Start:
• begin the workout together
• Circles:
• even lanes swim up the left
• odd lanes swim up the right
• Leaders:
• fastest person for the set should leadunderstand the set, pace time and assure that everyone else doesassure the pace time is appropriate for everyoneleave 5-10 sec. between swimmers when starting
• slower swimmers shorten the set (350 for a 400) or change lanes
• Overtaking:
• touch the slower swimmer's foot
• the slower swimmer moves over or stops at the wall to allow safe passing
• Turns:
• move to other side of lane and push off straight
• Finishes:
• if you have stopped, keep the ends of the lane clear to allow continuing swimmers' space to turn
• Breaks:
• if you come late or take a break, rejoin the set in progress
• don't start where you left off
• Coaches:
• give them constructive feedback

KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND ENCOURAGE YOUR FELLOW SWIMMERS REMEMBER THAT WE COME HERE FOR FUN AND FITNESS AND FELLOWSHIP

Emmett Hines (a noted USMS coach) posted a couple of observations to a swimmer's forum : By Emmett Hines (Emmett) on Friday, March 3, 2000 - 10:14 am: When you finish at a wall (instead of turning) it is your job to move over to the left side (as you face the wall) of the lane IMMEDIATELY so the person coming in behind you has a full HALF of the wall to finish on - don't make him/her search for the 6 square inch spot you left open - MOVE! Perhaps if you are approaching the wall to turn and some unthinking person is standing in your turning space you might simply use them as a turning target - though you won't get quite as good a push-off from a person's chest as you do from the wall you WILL teach them a quick lesson.

By Emmett Hines (Emmett) on Friday, September 3, 1999 - 04:59 pm: Please ALWAYS circle swim during warmup - even if you are the ONLY person in the lane. This way, those getting to the pool a few minutes late will be able to join the warm-up in progress rather than having to interrupt your warm-up to establish a different swimming pattern.

And while we're on the subject how about a few words from the Burlington Masters about Lane Etiquette during Swim Meet Warmups : NO RUNNING ON THE DECK (your bones will not take a bad fall) NO CLIMBING TO THE BALCONIES (you are getting too old for this) ENTER THE POOL FEET FIRST WHILE HOLDING ON TO THE SIDE (gives your eyes time to adjust after removing your bifocals) CIRCLE SWIM ONLY IN THE LANES (keeps the lifeguards dry if they do not have to pull you out after bumping heads) NO PADDLES, FINS, PULL BUOYS OR BOARDS (the use of armour in defeating your rivals is frowned upon)

DURING SPRINT LANE WARMUPS, DIVE IN THE DEEP END ONLY (keeps the splash from hitting the officials and annoying them)