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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
Minor etiquette question...
Where should one wait? If the lane is swim to the right, do you wait at the end on the left (having moved over at the end of your length) or the right (as you would have ended up after your length without moving over)?
Or is there no correct answer?
Greenbank-
I've always thought you should wait on the left or the right but not in the middle. This assumption being backed up by the signs at London Fields which say not to wait in the middle. My thinking on this being being based on the fact you are always swapping from one side of the lane to the other (due to the aforementioned clockwise pattern).
But I have no idea what I'm doing and as others have mentioned the reality on the ground overrules any theory anyway. I just always try to wait right over to one side out of the way if I need a rest.
Ewan's rules are good. At the Olympic Pool last night all was generally good and there was much 4. in evidence: almost to the point of "no, after you" moments, but of course I'd rather have that than the opposite. Unfortunately the odd no. 6 going on but only the odd person.
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Either, just not in the middle - Whoever is overtaking will be able to see you and hit the wall where there is space.
If it's busy, queue up the lane if you have to, not across the back wall.
If you do decide to stop in the middle, or queue across the wall, you may find someone's feet kicking past your face at speed, or someone pushing off hard against your balls.
Fox
NotThamesWater
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.