Diving into this topic feels much like entering a crowded lane at a public swimming session: someone is bound to be upset no matter how considerate I try to be. The last time we wrote about lane rage, we ruffled quite a few feathers. Still, our editor, Ella, asked me to share my advice on swimming politics, so here goes.
What is lane rage?
Lane rage is essentially pool swimming’s version of road rage. It occurs when one swimmer feels another has been inconsiderate, broken some unwritten rule of pool etiquette or simply got in the way. The result can range from sulky passiveaggressive lane blocking to full-on swearing, shouting, and the involvement of pool management. It most often happens when swimmers of different speeds and experience levels share the same lane.
For instance, a fast swimmer might get frustrated if a slower swimmer makes it hard for them to overtake. Conversely, the slower swimmer might wonder why the fast swimmer can’t just relax and slow down a bit. You can see both points of view.