When I’m plodding along at my local swimming pool, it’s all about relaxation and unwinding. I’m not there to set personal bests or complete lengths at lightning speed. So, imagine my surprise during a recent slow session when the swimmer behind me grew impatient. I thought I’d mistakenly chosen a faster lane, but no—he was in the slow lane, just like me. Worse, he didn’t simply overtake politely. This isn’t an isolated incident; I’ve even seen pensioners tagged by impatient swimmers. Sometimes, these individuals use a ‘foot tap’ to signal they want to pass, but even that can be controversial.
The ‘Foot Tap’ Explained
According to Speedo’s seven commandments of lane swimming, the foot tap is a ‘universal gesture among club swimmers—if you want to overtake, gently touch the toes of the swimmer in front.’ The tapped swimmer should then pause at the end of the lane to let the faster swimmer pass. However, not everyone is aware of this etiquette. Andrew Clark, manager of the London Aquatics Centre, notes on the Speedo website that it’s an ‘international custom, except in the UK where only club swimmers seem to know about it and people get sensitive about being touched.’
Mixed Reactions from Swimmers
Many swimmers express discomfort with the practice. On the r/Swimming subreddit, one user said they feel ‘panic’ when someone touches their feet, even though they try not to slow others down. Another user would be ‘extremely annoyed’ by a foot tap, claiming they are ‘sufficiently lane-aware’ to know when to let faster swimmers pass. In Switzerland, foot tapping isn’t a thing at all, and one user finds the concept ‘bizarre.’
On the other hand, some swimmers defend the foot tap as polite and standard. One user stated, ‘If you are the faster swimmer and want to pass someone, you should tap their feet once and then pass them.’ Another noted it is ‘actually a very standard lap swimming convention.’
Divisive Opinions at Metro
At Metro, the topic is equally divisive. Comments range from ‘touching toes feels way too intimate’ to ‘I’m never going swimming again now that I know this is a possibility.’ One staffer suggested that ‘swimming lanes should ask swimmers to consent to’ foot tapping, while another highlighted that it ‘avoids too many clashes’ and prevents rough shoving.
Whether you view the foot tap as a helpful signal or an unwelcome intrusion, it’s important to be aware that it exists. Next time you feel a brush against your toes while perfecting your front crawl, you’ll know what it means—and can decide how to respond.
