We’re back in the pool.
Which means a few things…
- The goggles are fogging up again
- The arms are about to feel like concrete
- And lane dynamics… well… they’re about to get interesting
After a bit of time away, we thought it was the perfect moment for a quick reset.
Not on your stroke (we’ll get there).
Not on your fitness (give it a week).
But on the thing that makes squad sessions actually work:
Swim etiquette.
Because no matter how fit or fast you are… if you can’t share a lane properly, it all falls apart pretty quickly.
🚦 Pick the Right Lane (Ego vs Reality)
One of the biggest game-changers for a smooth session?
Being in the right lane.
Swimming is all about rhythm and consistency — if the speed range in a lane is too wide, no one gets a good session.
👉 Start where you know you can hold the pace. You can always move up once you settle in.
🔄 Circle Swimming = Non-Negotiable
Stick left. Stay predictable. Hold your line.
It sounds simple… but drifting down the middle or cutting across the lane mid-set is where chaos begins.
👉 Smooth lanes = better flow, better technique, better session for everyone.
🚀 Send-Offs Matter More Than You Think
Swimming right on someone’s feet might feel efficient… until you’re stuck behind them for the entire set.
Good spacing allows everyone to swim at their own pace and actually hit the intent of the session.
👉 Give yourself a few seconds. It’s not a race (yet).
👣 Getting Tapped? That’s Your Cue
Faster swimmer behind? It happens.
A light tap isn’t aggressive — it’s just communication.
👉 Best play: let them through at the wall and reset. Everyone wins.
🧱 The Wall Is Not a Social Hub
We love a chat… just not mid-set.
Hanging on the wall or sitting right in the middle of it makes turns messy and breaks the flow of the lane.
👉 Keep it tight, keep it moving, save the debrief for after.
🛑 Mid-Lane Stops = Instant Traffic Jam
If you need a breather, get to the wall.
Stopping halfway is the swimming equivalent of slamming on the brakes during peak hour.
👉 It might feel small… but it affects everyone behind you.
🧰 Be Prepared (Future You Will Thank You)
Pull buoy, paddles, fins — they’re not just accessories.
They’re part of how we build strength, technique, and efficiency in the water.
👉 Turning up ready = better session, less stress, more progress.
🧠 Swim with Purpose
Not every set is about going flat out.
Some are about technique, some about endurance, some about control.
👉 The biggest gains come when you match your effort to the goal of the set.
😅 First Session Reality Check
Let’s be honest…
That first swim back might feel… humbling.
Your stroke might feel off. Your breathing might be questionable. Someone you used to “beat” might suddenly look like an Olympian.
Totally normal.
👉 Give it a few sessions. Feel comes back quickly.
💛 Final Thought
Great squads aren’t just built on fitness — they’re built on awareness.
A bit of patience, a bit of respect for the lane, and a willingness to play your role goes a long way.
Let’s make it smooth, make it positive… and enjoy being back in the water.
See you on pool deck.
