The Lane Code / Lesson 3 of 6 / About 2 minutes
Keep lane discipline
Follow the posted swimming pattern and keep a predictable line.
Before you swim
The rule
For circle swimming, go along one side of the lane and return along the other, following the lane arrows. If the pool permits splitting, each swimmer stays on an agreed side in both directions. Confirm the pattern before starting, and agree any change with the other swimmers.
Lane circulation
Follow lane arrows
Agree changes before swimming
Why it helps
A shared pattern helps swimmers anticipate where others will be, especially on the return length. Changing it without agreement can put two people on the same path. The Department recognises lane arrows, not improvised traffic systems.
At the pool
A realistic example
Two swimmers have been splitting a lane. A third arrives. Pushing off down the middle would make them the Lane Hog, leaving nobody a clear side. Before anyone starts another length, they agree at the wall to switch to circle swimming.
A little judgment practice
What would you do?
You arrive at a permitted split lane as its third swimmer. The pool requires circle swimming with three people. What comes next?
Choose your answer in your head, then open it to check the reasoning.
Wait at a clear entry point and confirm the posted circle pattern with both swimmers.
Good judgment. Everyone needs to know the change before swimming into a shared path.
Best action: Confirm the pool’s required circulation with the existing swimmers before joining it.
Start circling and expect the others to notice.
Reconsider this choice. Someone may return along their split side into your path before noticing the change.
Best action: Confirm the pool’s required circulation with the existing swimmers before joining it.
Keep the split arrangement until someone complains.
Reconsider this choice. The pool requires a different pattern with three people. Waiting for a conflict leaves swimmers with incompatible paths.
Best action: Confirm the pool’s required circulation with the existing swimmers before joining it.
Swim straight down the middle. They can orbit me.
Reconsider this choice. Taking the middle gives the others no predictable path. Confirm the required circle pattern with both swimmers before joining.
Best action: Confirm the pool’s required circulation with the existing swimmers before joining it.
Best action: Confirm the pool’s required circulation with the existing swimmers before joining it.
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Sources and local variation
- U.S. Masters Swimming — Swimming 101: The Basics
Entry awareness, circle swimming and splitting, passing space, and adapting to the current lane. Check local arrangements.
- Swimming Canada — Going to your first workout
Masters-workout guidance on considerate entry, following lane traffic, and leaving room at the wall. Workout conventions may differ from public sessions.
- Swim England — Pool etiquette (PDF)
Guidance for pool operators to adapt: lane boards, passing at the end of a length, and turning space.
The scenarios are SwimPermit practice examples. These sources inform the draft; a source link is not an endorsement or a completed safety review.
Keep studying
No lessons required before the test. The theory test is being prepared; its introduction is available now.