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Any tips?
Yes. Get in the pool and have fun!
The lane stuff is completely simple... There are lanes marked out for different speed swimmers. The lanes are there for everyone's safety because having people swimming different speeds in the same lane leads to frustration, foolish overtaking and an increased risk of collisions - either between the overtaker and overtakee, or the overtaker into oncoming swimmers. Mixed ability lanes lead to unhappiness all round.
There is nothing about lane etiquette that isn't covered by the sentiment: Be aware of others people and be considerate towards them. 99% of lane politics comes from people swimming in the wrong lane, and then being dicks about it.
Some things to think about...
Before you enter the pool, look at the other swimmers and pick whichever lane best matches your speed. If in doubt, pick a slower lane and move up later.
If there are faster swimmers in the lane then keep an eye on how quickly they are catching you and let them past at the end of the length. It'll cost you a couple of seconds at most, and being stuck behind a slower swimmer for lengths on end is massively frustrating. Don't stop in the middle of a length, even if the person accidentally (or deliberately) touches your toes. If you are being overtaken consistently then move down a lane.
If there are slower swimmers in the lane then chill out and give them time to reach the end and let you past. If they are being a dick and don't let you through then only overtake when you have plenty of time to make a clear pass and give them plenty of room... if the problem persists then feel free to have a polite word, but since the person has already revealed themselves to be a self obsessed twit you may be told to fuck off. In this instance move up a lane. If you have exhausted all other options and are already in the fastest lane then feel free to swim straight over the top of them... if they drown it was their own bloody fault.
Don't push off immediately ahead of other swimmers unless you know you are swimming faster than them. Don't push off immediately behind slower swimmers and then be annoyed that you want to pass after only 1 length.
Don't be afraid to change lanes halfway through a session. If you change to a faster/slower stroke then switch to a lane that better matches your speed.
If you stop at the end of the lane keep over to the side. The only thing more annoying than an inconsiderate slow swimmer is people hogging the end of the lane and stopping you turning.
Be aware that you are 3x as wide when you swim breast stroke. Be aware of others and don't kick them in the face.
But yeah... all that can be summed up by being aware of others and not being a twat.
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ewanmac
@Cupcakes
Hey swimmers, what's the deal with the lanes and laps and stuff? I have never swum properly, and haven't been in the water in years, but fancy giving it a go. It sounds a bit confusing and overly full of politics. Any tips? My motivation is to help recovery from a shoulder injury, but don't worry, I have a physio to advise me so I don't rip my arms off.