Swimmer #1's Dilemma - Triathlon Week

02-12-2007, 12:22 AM

See illustration: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Swimmer #1's Dilemma.

Swimmer #1 has completed 50% of a 300 yard triathlon swim in a 25 yard
pool. He comes to the end of his lane and needs to flip turn to
reverse course and continue. Just prior to flipping, swimmer #1
notices out of the corner of his eye, that swimmer #2 is closely
trailing in pass position. What should swimmer #1 do? Possible
options are:

1. Swimmer #1 can stay to the right, flip, and possibly collide with
swimmer #3.
2. Swimmer #1 can move to the center, flip and probably collide with
swimmer #2.
3. Swimmer #1 can stop swimming at the wall, allow swimmer #2 to pass
and possibly get into the way of swimmer #3.
4. Swimmer #!, #2, and #3 can all get confused and collide.

02-12-2007, 12:22 AM

Pokey wrote:
> See illustration: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Swimmer #1's Dilemma.
>
> Swimmer #1 has completed 50% of a 300 yard triathlon swim in a 25 yard
> pool. He comes to the end of his lane and needs to flip turn to
> reverse course and continue. Just prior to flipping, swimmer #1
> notices out of the corner of his eye, that swimmer #2 is closely
> trailing in pass position. What should swimmer #1 do? Possible
> options are:
>
> 1. Swimmer #1 can stay to the right, flip, and possibly collide with
> swimmer #3.
> 2. Swimmer #1 can move to the center, flip and probably collide with
> swimmer #2.
> 3. Swimmer #1 can stop swimming at the wall, allow swimmer #2 to pass
> and possibly get into the way of swimmer #3.
> 4. Swimmer #!, #2, and #3 can all get confused and collide.

Ahh, I have been mulling over swim etiquette during my laps in the last
2 swim sessions. There seems to be a lot of new people who are
unfamiliar with standing narrow wise on the ropes when taking a break
(instead of talking 2 deep across the back of the pool, which means no
flip area, and a shorter swim).

I don't know what the swimmers etiquette or rule on this is, but here
are my thoughts:

Swimmer #1 doesn't really know if #2 is continuing on or just drafting.
If swimmer 2 hasn't passed you before the flip turn area, I wouldn't
assume that they want to pass. Don't hurt an innocent swimmer (#3) in
order to appease swimmer #2, when you don't really know what swimmer #2
wants.

I am a firm believer of flip turns being executed in the flip turn cross.

I found out the hard way about the flip turn area, with a flip to my
stomach. I keep the area clear for flippers. I try to educate other
swimmers nicely about the flip turn area in order to keep them safe,
but the response is usually general crankyness, rudedness, or pretending
to not understand or people who don't care about the flip turn area.

I also am a firm believer in swimmers who are on a continuous swim
having the right away over swimmers who are starting their lap.

I also move over for faster swimmers and I stay narrow so as not to
impede on their progress.

I may get booed for the next two:

I tend to continue on my swim when someone jumps in front of me. I
figure it is good triathlon race experience.

I swim at a generally predictable speed, and I don't slow down for
people who pass me. If you pass me and you stay right in front of me,
expect to get your feet slapped until you are no longer close enough. I
do not swim quick, slow, quick, slow. I expect people will understand
drafting better if I don't fall back. (ie, they were only faster than me
because they were drafting me). I will continue on through the flip turn
area and not wait for them to stop, turn around and continue in front of
me.

What I have learned in life: unsureness is a good way to get hurt. If
you are clear in your intent, other people can change around you. If you
are unsure and not clear on if you are stopping to let someone pass or
come towards you, you can both get seriously hurt trying to get out of
each others way.

ps. I don't flip turn because I have a problem with my toes when I do.

02-12-2007, 12:22 AM

On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:22:19 -0800, Pokey wrote:

> See illustration: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Swimmer #1's Dilemma.
> What should swimmer #1 do?

Move to centre, flip and hold course. #2 hasn't passed and has no
right-of-way. Let 2 and 3 get all confused! ;-)

02-12-2007, 12:22 AM

mr.b wrote:
> On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:22:19 -0800, Pokey wrote:
>
>> See illustration: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>>
>> Swimmer #1's Dilemma.
>> What should swimmer #1 do?
>
> Move to centre, flip and hold course. #2 hasn't passed and has no
> right-of-way. Let 2 and 3 get all confused! ;-)

You sure had a short sweet to the point response.

You had the same response as my own. I am curious if this is normally
accepted swim etiquette?

02-12-2007, 11:27 PM

On Feb 11, 11:06 pm, Triathlete <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
> mr.b wrote:
> > On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:22:19 -0800, Pokey wrote:
>
> >> See illustration:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> >> Swimmer #1's Dilemma.
> >> What should swimmer #1 do?
>
> > Move to centre, flip and hold course. #2 hasn't passed and has no
> > right-of-way. Let 2 and 3 get all confused! ;-)
>
> You sure had a short sweet to the point response.
>
> You had the same response as my own. I am curious if this is normally
> accepted swim etiquette?

Instead of a flip turn, just do a quick open turn. This way you can
see # 2 for a moment then react accordingly.

02-12-2007, 11:27 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
> On Feb 11, 11:06 pm, Triathlete <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
> wrote:
>> mr.b wrote:
>>> On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:22:19 -0800, Pokey wrote:
>>>> See illustration:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>>>> Swimmer #1's Dilemma.
>>>> What should swimmer #1 do?
>>> Move to centre, flip and hold course. #2 hasn't passed and has no
>>> right-of-way. Let 2 and 3 get all confused! ;-)
>> You sure had a short sweet to the point response.
>>
>> You had the same response as my own. I am curious if this is normally
>> accepted swim etiquette?
>
> Instead of a flip turn, just do a quick open turn. This way you can
> see # 2 for a moment then react accordingly.

I tend to tag the wall with my hand, look the person in the face, and go.

02-12-2007, 11:27 PM

On Feb 11, 6:31 pm, "mr.b" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:22:19 -0800, Pokey wrote:
> > See illustration:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> > Swimmer #1's Dilemma.
> > What should swimmer #1 do?
>
> Move to centre, flip and hold course. #2 hasn't passed and has no
> right-of-way. Let 2 and 3 get all confused! ;-)

I have not done a pool tri, but I was a competitive swimmer. Just
remember that what might pass for ettiquette in competition will draw
unwanted attention in a group/masters' workout.

rsquared