- [Mark] It seems that every sport
has its own code of etiquette.
And swimming is among those sports,
though the rules are pretty easy to pick up.
Just follow our essential swim etiquette
and you'll be fine.
- [Heather] It can be tricky training for a triathlon
trying to fit in three different sports
with very little time and rushing everywhere,
but don't treat the swimming pool like a bath.
If you have been running before a swim
and you've got muddy legs,
then make sure you shower them off before jumping in.
Nobody wants to be swimming around in mud and grit.
- [Mark] You dive into the pool
ready to smash your swim session,
but before you know it you're having to stop
and navigate around some slower swimmers.
There is nothing worse,
particularly so when you're in the fast lane,
and the other swimmer has clearly ignored those signs.
So when you are jumping in the pool just check
if the lanes have designated speeds
and see yourself accordingly with the speed
of other swimmers currently in those lanes.
- Our next stop.
Off the lane rope, Mark, come on.
So you don't sit on the lane ropes to start with.
- Well, on the subject of lane ropes,
try and actually swim alongside the lane rope
rather than down the middle of the lane.
There is nothing more annoying
than having to navigate around swimmers
that are going up and down in the middle of the lane.
- Or talking of which, also check which direction
you're actually supposed to be swimming in.
There's normally a sign at the end of the lane
to give you that guide.
- Yeah, in the UK we swim alternate directions for each lane
but in other parts of the world, particularly Europe,
they swim anticlockwise in every lane.
So just check before you get there.
- And finally, actually,
whilst we're talking about lane ropes,
they are there purely to separate the swimmers.
They're not there for aiding your swimming,
so don't pull on them.
- [Mark] Getting out of the swimming pool mid-session
and walking all the way to the toilet
can feel like a real waste of time
and, believe it or not,
some people feel it's too much effort
so they pee in the pool.
Just a heads up to those folks.
If the water doesn't change color,
it definitely feels warmer,
so either way everyone knows.
It's also gross.
Just don't do it.
- [Heather] If you're doing a session,
you need to take some rest from time to time.
So there's nothing wrong with stopping
at the end of the lane for a breather,
or even a quick chat with a friend.
But remember you don't own the lane,
and other people are trying to swim too,
so move over, tuck yourself away by the lane rope.
When you do catch someone in the pool,
you probably want to let them know that you're there
in the hope that they might let you go past.
A little tap on the foot is absolutely fine
but do you refrain from tapping repeatedly
as you'll probably make a few enemies that way.
Although not everyone knows this custom,
so if you're at the receiving end you'll now be aware.
- If you don't already know this one then don't worry.
It's one that you learn over time.
When you turn at the end of the lane,
try and move over to the other side of the lane
as you approach.
That way you don't turn and collide
with anyone that might be following close behind.
Finally make sure that your costume
is still in good condition, it's not passed its best,
both for your sake and for everyone else's in the pool.
- Yeah, and lastly, don't forget
you're sharing a swimming pool with other swimmers,
you've got different schedules,
and we all just have to respect each other.
- Yeah, treat them as you'd like to be treated yourself.
And don't forget you can head over to the GTN shop
and you can get hold of these cool GTN towels and swim caps.
And don't forget, you can subscribe to GTN
by checking on the globe.
- And if you want to catch a video
on triathlon's unwritten rules that we made
that's just here.
- And if you'd like to see our Ask the Pro video
on all the triathlon mistakes,
you can see it by clicking down here.