Welcome To The Pool:
You just walked onto the pool deck for the first time in a long time…or maybe ever. So now what do you do?
First thing to do when on a pool deck is to locate some key features. Note where the lifeguards are and ask them which lanes are available for public swimming. Find a lane that is specified for your speed, or appears to have other athletes of similar speed swimming there. Next, grab any pool toys you are going to use. This can include a kick board, pull buoy and other gear you may have, including fins, paddles and a swimmers snorkel.

When you are ready to swim, make sure your swimsuit is adjusted properly; guys tie up your speedo (yes the tight ones, you are doing laps not sitting in a hot tub), and women make sure your suit is adjusted and not worn out. As you put your goggles and swim cap on, observe the swimming pattern of the lane. Pool etiquette is to swim circles around the black line, meaning you head down on one side, and return on the other side. When you are ready to jump in, alert the swimmers in your lane that you are going to join them and confirm which direction they are swimming. Try not to disturb the other swimmers by quickly talking to them when they stop at the wall. If a swimmer isn’t stopping, jump in the lane so they see you, and then follow their swim direction.

When you are swimming, always be aware and courteous of the other swimmers. If you need to pass, tap the other swimmer on the feet and pass on their outside, or pass them at the wall when they are stopped. If you are kicking, doing drills, or other slower forms of swimming, it is courteous to allow a faster swimmer to go ahead if you are at the wall at the same time.

To make significant improvements in the water and prepare you for your race, it is important for athletes to spend at least 2x/week in the water. If an athlete is swimming twice per week, I would recommend one day focused on drills and aerobic swimming, and another day on just aerobic swimming. In February, make your second day a speed/aerobic day. If you are swimming 3x/week, I would recommend one day focused on drills and aerobic, one day aerobic and one day speed. The key to learning how to swim is becoming relaxed in the water. Be aware, relax and most importantly, enjoy yourself.
Grant Burwash
Pro Triathlete
Triathlon Coach and private instructor at Talisman Centre
grantburwash.com