At Your First Practice

  • Ask the coach which lane you should swim in.
  • If there is something you don’t understand, ask the coach or lane mates. With time you will learn the swim jargon.
  • Listen to your body. If you are tired don’t hesitate about getting out. This is especially true for people new to Colorado who haven’t adjusted to the altitude.
  • Use proper swim etiquette (see the next several points).

Swimming Etiquette

Circle Swim

  • Circle swimming is standard procedure at all Loveland Masters swim practices. The black line on the bottom of the pool indicates the center of each lane (road). Use the black line as you would a yellow line on a road, making a u-turn at the end where the “t” appears on the pool bottom.
  • Stay on the right side of the lane, only moving toward the center when you are ready to turn at the wall
  • Watch the clock and allow 5 seconds between swimmers.
  • Move to the corner of the lane while standing or holding onto the wall
  • Never begin swimming until everyone in the lane understands the set (particularly drill sets and intervals). The extra time spent to communicate the set and interval to the lane is a good investment of time.
  • Communicate the passing procedure for your lane. Usually tapping the toes of the swimmer in front of you is a good indication that someone wants to pass.
  • Let your lane mates know if you plan to do anything different, including switching to another stroke, putting on fins, kicking, warming down, sitting out an interval, or getting out.

Be Responsible & Aware

  • Learn the names of your lane mates. You are about to spend one hour or more with these people, heart rates elevated with almost no clothes on. Aren’t you curious what their names are?
  • Never assume the first person in the lane knows what is going on. They might be having a bad day.
  • Take responsibility for counting. You can do it—allow yourself to believe it!
  • Be aware of what is happening in the lane. Where are the other swimmers? Am I holding people up? Am I running people over? Is there somebody right behind me as I come off the wall?
  • If you have trouble seeing the clock, figure out how to see it. Alternate options include prescription goggles, contacts under your goggles, or  synchronizing your wrist watch to the pace clock.
  • If you arrive late to the workout, ask the coach what’s going on before you get into the water. Do not interrupt the swimmers.

Encourage & Acknowledge

  • It is fun and motivating to hear positive encouragement coming from fellow swimmers. A small “let’s go” can be just the positive boost your lane mates need in the middle of a long difficult set.
  • Acknowledge each other. Is somebody in your lane having an exceptional day? Let them know!
  • Acknowledge your teamwork. “We’re awesome,” with high fives all around. “Let’s celebrate with a latte…”

Don’t:

  • Swim down the middle of a lane, or split the lane
  • Stop or remain stationary in the middle of the pool
  • Stand or hold onto the wall in the middle of the lane
  • Grab another swimmer
  • Push off the wall immediately before or after another swimmer, you must allow 5 seconds
  • Dive from the starting blocks unless instructed by the on-deck coach

Reading the Clock and Departure Times

Just a friendly reminder to make sure you depart on the correct interval. To keep all lanes moving correctly, leave 5 seconds apart. If the first swimmer is to depart on the top (:00), their head should be under the water at :59, pushing off the wall on :00, and the next swimmer would then have their head under the water at :04, and pushing off at :05. If you’re not sure about when to leave, please discuss with your lane mates or speak with a coach. If you see your interval pop up on the clock, you’ve left too late.