Adults Lane Swim

[Ruffler]

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a499/Ruffwood77/882870059cb41a41876e67ef6c5be05c_zps3d81c3b0.jpg

[NewWave]

I am an OK swimmer and the fast lane is the best suited to my pace. In the old days when you caught someone up you would gently brush (I was going to say stroke and that sounds even worse) their feet. The slower swimmer would then stop at the end of the length allowing you to overtake them. Nowadays if I come up to someone slower I slow down until the end of the length and usually the other swimmer realises "Mark Spitz" is behind them and let them pass.

We can all vary our speed when walking or driving so a little bit of that would work wonders in the pool. Once you get into the groove with the other swimmers in the lane the faster ones can get on with it and the slower ones can go at their pace. Yes it is a bit annoying at times but view the changes in pace as an addition to your training pattern.

Backstroke is fine, as long as your shoulder is close to the lane rope and you bend your arm (as you should) under water then you are no wider than a breaststroker. If you are standing in the way at the end of a lane and a backstroker is coming towards you common sense will dictate they won't be able to see you so move. If you are swimming backstroke then work out how many arm pulls you take after the 5m warning rope or markings. Then you can roll onto your front to do a proper turn or stop before you bash others/your head or arm.

I hope these new rules of engagement will help!!

[Jo Rachel Glover]

Hi,

I am also an ex competitive swimmer and have the same frustration - I've looked into local clubs for this level of swimming but it's mainly triathlete clubs or Crystal Palace pool. It's a massive shame as the Forest hill pool is great. I hear it's much quieter in the early mornings around 7am and sometimes midday at the weekend is ok. I also feel bad having to overtake if it's very busy in all the lanes so go in the main part but swim close to the lane but then you have to dodge people playing etc. Maybe we can suggest they set up a proper club?

[Cathy migan]

If you really don't want to be worried by all this then put on a wetsuit and head to brockwell fusion where the lido lanes are great and no worries at all about slow or fast swimmers. You can have a lane all to yourself!!!!

[Too Good To Be True]

Good luck with a swimming wetsuit at this time of year.

I suspect the Lido would be pretty intolerable even with an 11mm diving wetsuit.

That's not to say it can't be done...

[bodsier]

JRG and all you other fast swimmers....how about some tips on how to swim faster? I am Not saying that this is the answer. However, as I am self taught and often too fast for the medium lane and not really enjoying the fast lane as there are usually people in there determined to bash me, to prove a point, in spite of letting them pass whenever I can. It means I have to pause all the time, in the both lanes, or perhaps be accused of intimidating people when in fact, I just want to Have a good swim like everyone else....

[Ladygooner]

I went to the competition pool at the Olympic park yesterday - ?3.30 a swim - 10 lanes of 50m and only 5 people in the whole of the pool! bliss

[paulu197]

It's quite a simple solution, rather than just having fast / medium / slow signs, also include a 50m time guide to be used. Eg: Fast is sub 60 secs per 50, Medium is 60-75secs and slow is +75secs. From what i've seen at this pool is that not a lot of people can do sub 60secs per 50.

[Robert Poste's Child]

...leading to an empty fast lane and 25 in the slow lane! And do you honestly expect everyone to time themselves?

[KrackersMaracas]

There are two clocks at the end of the pool - one which shows the time, and the other is a minute timer.

[Robert Poste's Child]

I'm aware of that - I just think it's impractical and it would still need to be enforced by the pool attendant anyway, so why make the thing more complicated than it has to be?

[paulu197]

The reason most people do laps is to improve their times. If you are a social swimmer stay in the slow swimmer. Swimmers who usually are in the fast lane check their times, count their stroke. The Times I've also given are rather slow too

[paulu197]

Plus how do you know what speed you do if you don't time yourself. Be polite and if you continually get overtaken move to a lane that is in line with your speed and please don't do breast stroke in the fast pool if you can't keep up with the freestyle swimmers