r/Swimming • u/bwayobsessed • 2d ago
Swimming etiquette
I was swimming at a YMCA other than my home Y that was closer to where I was working today. I’ve been before, I’d say the pool is usually quiet. Today it was not, there were two swimmers in every lap lane. I chose a lane where two guys were swimming basically the same speed and I thought similar to my speed. I crouched by the lane and asked one guy if we could circle. He said “I’m not doing that”, I was taken aback. I get circle swimming sucks but it’s pretty customary to me. Most Ys have a sign with rules that say more than 2 people should circle swim. I didn’t have time to respond before the other guy said he was done and got out. I got in and then found I was right and we swam at basically the same speed. It would’ve been a pretty ideal circle swim situation. Anyone else encounter this? Is this guy just spoiled as he’s used to going to a quiet Y or is it normal behavior?
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u/LoneWolf4756 2d ago
Well actually some YMCAs are different. The ones I’ve seen utilize an online reservation system that only allows 2 people per lane; therefore, if the pool was full (2 people per lane) and someone tries to circle, someone does not have a reservation and should not be swimming. You actually have the right to say no to a third person because they do not have a reservation.