The authors of this article (“Swimming with courtesy is best choice,” Sun City West Independent, March 18, 2020) have made some very good points regarding showering, removal of band aids and placing liquid containers away from the pool edge.
But they seem to imply that people who do not want to share a swimming pool lane are somehow discourteous and are not practicing good pool etiquette, I disagree.
I go to Palm Ridge pool, normally twice a week (for the past 10 years) and when I do, I go at a time when I have found the pool is less used. I have a favorite lane but I do not select a lane to fit my skill level (as suggested), I use whichever lane is open. If no lane is open, I wait my turn. I do not ask to share nor would I accept an invitation and would decline a request to share. It has always been first come, first served.
To my knowledge, swimming lanes were configured to accommodate a lone swimmer. I believe some swimmers who know what they’re doing and do it very carefully could swim together in opposite directions. I would think the type of stroke used would prevent or increase the difficulty. Most of the swimmers I have observed (including myself) would not fall into this category. For me and, I’ll assume, my fellow swimmers are simply trying to get a good healthy workout that does not stress our bodies. These swimmers are all pretty much in their 70s and 80s, though I know a lady who is in her 90s. We are not master swimmers, just some older folks who probably have just returned to an activity we used to do years ago and want some exercise we can enjoy.
In conclusion, I say to the authors, be thankful for your designated reserved swim time you have and make the most of your three times a week, two-hour practice sessions. If you miss a practice, feel free to come join us, but wait your turn. It’s not discourteous, I call respect.
