Terse exchange with woman - lane swimming

[SirChenjins]

I've just joined a gym and have been using the pool in the evenings when it's quiet. It's not the biggest pool (20m x 8m) and is sectioned off lengthways, with half of the pool for classes and general use, the slower lane in one quarter and the faster lane in the other quarter. The lanes have boards at the end on the poolside showing the direction you have to swim in, and this is also covered in your induction.

When I got to the pool last night an aqua aerobics class was in the half sectioned off, so I swam in the slower lane. 2 people were in the faster lane, I was the only one in the slower lane. Around 25 minutes in, the aqua class finished and everyone left, although a few stayed in the pool. One woman got into the slower lane where I was, waited till I finished a length and asked if it was OK if we swam side by side. I wasn't sure what she meant, so said no, we're meant to swim in single file clockwise like the board shows. She wasn't happy and asked why, so I repeated what I'd said, and started swimming again. I was aware that she was close behind me, and when we'd finished a further 2 lengths she asked why we couldn't swim side by side. Again, I repeated what I'd said, and she wasn't happy - she said she was swimming faster than me, and it made sense. I said she was in the slower lane (it wasn't marked on the board last night for some reason, but I've seen here there before and it's always marked - plus we're told at induction which lane is which) and if she wanted to go faster she could use the faster lane where there was only one person swimming. Lots of huffing from her, before she reluctanctly moved into the faster lane where I could hear her complaining.

I spoke to the manager afterwards and asked if they could make sure the signs were on the board. They were really annoyed with her and said that the lanes are not wide enough for 2 people, that it's dangerous to swim side by side as people can be kicked, and that she absolutely should have been using the faster lane and not arguing with people in the pool. They want me to fill in an incident report. WWYD?

Make the report, I suspect she does this sort of thing regularly and the centre want evidence to present her with. Possibly they want to improve the system

This is mad. I go to a similar gym and lots of people prefer to swim 'side by side'. They aren't literally hip-to-hip but just swimming up and down at their own pace, rather than 'chasing' each other in a circle which means that you have to go at the pace of the slowest swimmer.

No idea why you didn't just say 'of course'.

When it’s quiet it’s quite normal to choose side by side, especially if it’s near closing time or something so you know no one else is coming in. It’s preferable because you both then swim at exactly your own pace without need to even think about the other person. If another person joins the lane you revert back to circuits.
in terms of wwyd I would have said ‘yes please’ to her.
I expect the manager couldn’t really care less I’m afraid, just doing the classic customer service technique of tell them what they want to hear/get rid/move on.

I'm with @Goldfsh and @arethereanyleftatall on this one. Quite normal to do 'side by side's if there are only two people in a lane and better as you can go at your own pace. If the lanes aren't big enough to do this then they also aren't big enough to swim in circuits. She could have moved over lanes but maybe didn't feel fast enough for the fast lane.

If there's only two people in the lane I much prefer to do so side by side
It's fine nicer than having to worry about someone else's pace

With only a first lane and a slow lane it's highly unlikely that people's swimming pace is going to be easily matched in either of the lanes
It's a perfectly reasonable request. It's fine for you to say no but most swimmers are used to having that conversation in my experience

Also you need to point out to the pool manager that if the lanes aren't wide enough for two swimmers to swim side by side then they clearly aren't wide enough for people to swim in a circuit either so the pool need to rethink their lane width

I regularly swim side by side if there are only two people in the lane. I think that’s totally normal. It’s so frustrating swimming single file if you’re going slightly faster than the person in front of you. Really don’t think this is a big deal at all.

It is definitely a thing to do this. When only two people in a lane, its very common, and completely makes sense to stay on one half of the lane going up and down rather than circling and getting in each other's way.

I was confused at first what the difference is between swimming side-by-side vs circular but I guess it increases the risk of getting kicked in the face if you are both moving the same direction.

Was there no staff poolside at all? Isn't that their job?

I always ask the person already in the lane whether they would prefer side by side or round in a circle and go with their choice. Most people choose side by side and that's my preference too.

If a third person turns up, then everyone reverts to going round in a circle.

A lot of gym pools are not staffed

I agree with everyone else. If there are only two of you, swim side by side, it's so much better. I am always delighted if I can avoid circuits.

I really don't think this is as big a deal as you are thinking.

Swimming side by side is no more dangerous than circuits as in circuits you also potentially cross other swimmers in the same lane. It's just way better in terms of ability to pace oneself.

Do it, the same people are always the ones breaking the rules making it harder for everyone else, it’s good that the gym are doing something about it

It’s a completely ordinary request. She clearly repeated herself as she could see you didn’t understand what the term meant.

I think when you have just joined a facility, it’s best to get more information if you don’t understand something rather than just rejecting it.

The staff seem really oddly enthusiastic in their condemnation.

Like a pp, I don’t understand how there is room for a circuit but not room for side by side.

If they're not big enough for side by side, how are they big enough to pass with circuits, particularly if there's a lot of people passing each other? Side by side is really common here with only two people in the lane. Much easier.

Always side by side if there are just two swimmers. It's really annoying for the faster swimmer to have to overtake the slower one.

This. I happens all the time in my pool.

I actually prefer side by side as it takes away all the annoying catching up/slowing down. I’ve never had an issue with it either.

What “incident” would you like to report. There wasn’t an incident. Just a brief exchange of views.

She probably gets that lane to herself every week after her class and considers it “hers”. It’s not of course.

Just let it go. Fuss about nothing.

Side by side is definitely not a thing at my gym, always in circuits, I would be bemused by the request too

Side by side is the norm in our pool if there are 2 or 3 people. Everyone mock sighs when a fourth person turns up!
Pools do have rules obviously, but most mature adults are able to make decisions for their lane if there are only 2 or 3 people.

Agree. You can just lose yourself rather than be on alert for different paced swimmers.

Everyone does side by side if there’s only 2 in my gym. It’s much better.