THE SWIMMER'S CODE: AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO POOL ETIQUETTE

Every niche community, be it formed around a sport like swimming or another hobby, has its own code of conduct. These unwritten rules are followed by insiders, while outsiders trying to get in can stick out like a sore thumb.

What I am talking about could range from special attire to body mannerisms that are embraced by that particular community. An outsider might be totally oblivious or just find the behaviors very weird which sometimes they are!

This post is your insider's guide to the swimming community. It's here to help bridge the gap between casual lap swimmers and the competitive world by decoding some of the most common behaviors you'll see at the pool.

(Please take this with a grain of salt. It's meant to be a fun and helpful peek behind the curtain!)

Dive Into: The Unwritten Rules of the Pool

• Gear and Attire: The Telltale Signs
• Poolside Habits: The Weird and the Practical
  • 🎥 Watch: How to put on a swim cap tutorial
• In-the-Water Etiquette: Sharing the Lane
• The Mindset of a Swimmer
• Frequently Asked Questions

Gear and Attire: The Telltale Signs

1) Goggles around the neck I put this to number one as this is the most obvious sore thumb like behavior a non-competitive swimmer can do. Swimmers never wear goggles around their necks. It is childish, it is hard to get them off the neck later and it just looks so weird. If you want to put them somewhere, stick one of the eye gaskets or the strap under your suit; they will hold just fine.

If you are not sure what type of goggles to choose, read this guide.

2) Swimming with a watch Whether you have ever done this or not, I am sure you have seen a person swimming with a watch. Unless the watch is a computer which helps you with your stroke rate, there is no reason why you should keep the watch on.

First, it creates a lopsided stroke as one arm weighs more than the other, which could cause shoulder injuries. Second, it creates extra drag. I would actually even go as far as saying that watches just do not belong in swimming, and they are just plain distracting. Yes, triathletes, I am talking about you :).

If you really need some stats, use special tech goggles instead.

3) Using jammers or a full body suit in practice I am not sure if this item still holds true since the jammer style swimsuit is so popular, but I think it does. Experienced swimmers do not use jammers or full body suits in practice unless they are practicing their race speeds.

Jammers are usually seen on smaller kids, probably at the fault of the parent who doesn't really know what to buy. Or, there is a common problem where some men are embarrassed to be seen in a skimpy swimsuit, so they think jammers will fix it.

Please, next time you buy a swimsuit, forget jammers unless you are competing.

4) Swimming with a locker key around your ankles In some pools, you have to lock your locker with a key. Many lap swimmers choose to put these on their ankles or wrists. Swimmers do not put these keys on their bodies.

Keep it outside of the pool on your water bottle or in a bag. Or if you swim with a drag suit, just attach it to the string on the outside suit, so it doesn’t dangle around and slow you down.

5) Swimming with paddles and pull buoy Swimmers do not swim with paddles and pull buoys all the time. It is a big misconception amongst lap swimmers.

Paddles are only used for some drills geared towards a specific goal. If you are guilty of using paddles and a pull buoy for the majority of your workouts, think twice and let your shoulders rest a little. You might prevent an injury or two.

Poolside Habits: The Weird and the Practical

6) The infamous goggle spit or lick If you hang out around your local pool, chances are you have seen the goggle spit or tongue lick ritual. This behavior does have a very good purpose. The spit actually serves as one of many proven anti-fogging solutions. After licking the inside of your goggles, they will be fog-free. The anti-fog layer on new goggles wears off after a while anyway.

7) Showering before going to the pool Pool operators are probably tearing their hair out about this, but competitive swimmers rarely shower before they go into the pool.

There are several reasons for this. Usually, there is a stretching session before one gets into the pool, and doing your stretches when you are wet and cold is not nice. Also, have you ever tried to put your swimming cap on while your hair is wet? It is a nightmare.

🎥 How to put on a swim cap tutorial

8) Brushing teeth in the shower Next time you are in the pool for a morning swim session, try it! You will never want to brush teeth anywhere else again. It feels so nice and free, and it saves you some time. This is a common behavior in many swimmers after morning practices, so don’t be afraid.

In-the-Water Etiquette: Sharing the Lane

9) To pee in the water or not to pee Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but most competitive swimmers don’t even bother thinking about this question and just do it.

To put your mind at ease, the chemicals and the sheer amount of water will dilute it. On top of that every pool has a functional filtration system. So, if you hear this for the first time, don’t worry. It never hurt anybody.

10) Faster swimmers have the right of way It is the most annoying thing if a slower swimmer does not yield to a much faster individual.

In open swim hours, there are usually lanes which indicate speed. However, once in a while there is the occasional rogue lap swimmer who does not know that he/she should not swim in the middle of the lane or push off the wall right when a faster swimmer is coming in for a turn. This causes frustration and can result in a confrontation.

So, slower swimmers, now you know the rule. Don’t take this the wrong way, it is amazing that you are in the pool and doing your laps (you are better for it), however, now you have no excuse to follow the rules :).

The Mindset of a Swimmer

11) Relaxed swimming stroke The last item on the swimming community code of conduct is smooth and relaxed swimming.

Many beginner swimmers think that they have to fight the water as fast as possible. Or many think they always have to compete against the person in the next lane. Don’t do it. Real swimmers relax and try to be one with the water.

Most of the time, you should be concentrating on your technique.

I know to be relaxed in the water is easy to say, but very hard to do for beginners. Don’t worry, you are not alone, and with following the proper drill sequence and applying your mind to it, you will succeed.

There you have it. Agree? Disagree? Well, either way, maybe you learned something new :).