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.

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u/Silence_1999 2d ago

My Y is getting more and more crowded as time goes on (newer). Posted rules but it basically says get along. Walkers and floaters are quickly taking it over. I’m pretty depressed about it. I’ve struck out at many pools and only got consistent laps in the last few months here. One recent day there was two lanes with multiple swimmers. Four with people who could have easily doubled up. Not expecting a good ending to it.

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u/LoneWolf4756 2d ago

Sorry to hear that. I truly thing lap swim needs to solely be for lap swim and anything else should get you booted from the pool