The Unwritten Rules of Lane Swimming
A quiet swim at a local pool turned into an uncomfortable experience for one regular swimmer, highlighting a growing controversy in UK swimming facilities. While enjoying a leisurely session in the slow lane, the swimmer found themselves being closely followed by another swimmer moving at significantly faster speeds.
The impatient swimmer chose to tailgate aggressively rather than executing a simple overtaking manoeuvre. This incident reflects a broader pattern of lane-sharing tensions, where even elderly swimmers have reportedly been physically tagged by those lacking patience.
Toe Tapping: Polite Signal or Pool Problem?
Some faster swimmers employ a technique known as 'foot tapping' or 'toe touching' to indicate their desire to pass. According to Speedo's official lane swimming guidelines, this represents a 'universal gesture among club swimmers.' The protocol suggests that a gentle touch on the toes of the swimmer ahead should prompt them to pause at the lane's end to allow overtaking.
However, the main issue lies in awareness. As Andrew Clark, manager of the London Aquatics Centre, notes on the Speedo website, this represents an 'international custom, except in the UK where only club swimmers seem to know about it and people get sensitive about being touched.'
Many recreational swimmers remain completely unaware of this practice, leading to confusion and discomfort when confronted with unexpected physical contact during their swim.
Swimmers Divided on Pool Protocol
The swimming community appears sharply divided on the acceptability of toe touching. On Reddit's swimming forum, user @Aggravating-Dust7430 described feeling 'panic' when someone touched their feet mid-swim, prompting them to dramatically increase their speed despite the effort involved.
Another user, @thepatiosong, expressed they would be 'extremely annoyed' by such contact, considering themselves sufficiently aware of lane etiquette to allow overtaking naturally at the wall without physical interaction. They noted that in Switzerland, where they reside, the concept of foot tapping seems 'bizarre' and isn't practised.
Conversely, defenders of the practice argue it represents standard swimming convention. User @bebopped insisted that 'if you are the faster swimmer and want to pass someone, you should tap their feet once and then pass them,' while @Deacon_Mushrat1 described it as 'actually a very standard lap swimming convention.'
The debate extends to Metro's own staff, with opinions ranging from 'touching toes feels way too intimate' to concerns about hygiene and unwanted physical contact. One staff member suggested swimmers should provide consent for such contact, while another highlighted its practical benefits in preventing 'rough shoving' and collisions in busy lanes.
Despite the controversy, awareness remains key. Understanding that foot tapping represents an established, if divisive, practice helps swimmers interpret the gesture correctly when they feel that unexpected brush against their toes during their next visit to the leisure centre.
