Group swimming is a great way to get more fit, enjoy swimming more, and build your swim repertoire.  But it can also be intimidating for beginners— and even veterans who make faux pas will be seen as outsiders.  Following these rules will make you look like a pro and will make everyone in the lane happier.

First, some terms:

• The ‘finish’ side of the lane is the right side of the wall.  The starting side is the left.  Leave the finish side to those finishing the length.
• A length is to the other side.  A lap is there and back.  A typical 25yd/m pool is called ‘short-course’ (scy is short-course yards, scm is short-course meters),  50m pool is ‘long-course.’
• ‘Swim’ is freestyle or crawl; ‘back’ is backstroke; ‘breast’ is breaststroke; ‘fly’ is butterfly.  If you don’t know these strokes, let the coach know before jumping in.
• ‘Pull’ is using a pull-buoy.  Clamp it between your thighs and don’t kick, but focus on your arms for these sets.  ‘Paddles’ is using paddles on your hands and typically a pull-buoy as well.  ‘Kick’ is kicking only.  Use a kickboard or streamline kick.  Do what the person leading the lanes does.
• ‘200 on the 3:00’ means you swim a 200, then leave for the next 200 at 3:00 after starting the previous one—faster swim means more rest.  Conversely, ‘200 then 20 seconds rest’ (or 20” RI) means you take 20 seconds rest after your 200 no matter what your time.  Group swims use ‘send off interval’ (the first example) to maintain even spacing in the lane.
• ‘On the top’ is when Mickey’s big hand hits 12 (xx:00 on a digital clock); ‘on the bottom is when Mickey’s big hand hits the 6 (xx:30) on a digital clock.

Now, the simple rules to know:

• Get there on time.  Warm up with those in your lane.
• Grab your toys (pull buoy, kickboard, paddles) before getting in.  Don’t delay the lane by getting up in the middle of the set.
• Pick the correct lane.  Typically these are divided up by speed, so ask someone what that lane’s ‘base’ is.  A 1:30 base or the 1:30 lane means the sets are for swimmers who can hold a 1:30 interval in a full set (not that your lifetime PR 100 is a 1:30).
• Wait until the wall is clear before jumping in, and don’t hog the wall once there.  Move to the left corner (facing the wall).  When finishing the set, touch the wall, then move left in line.
• Follow the swimmer in front by 10 seconds (5 seconds if more than 4 in the lane).  If you are significantly faster, ask to move up in the line or lead the lane.  Don’t lead the lane if you don’t understand the set or can’t keep the clock intervals.
• Watch the pace clock, not your watch.
• Be courteous.
• Bring a water bottle.

Now, get out there and swim!

Brian