Swimming Etiquette for Triathletes

Athlete Acknowledgement of Risk, Release of Liability and Agreement:

I understand that this Acknowledgement of Risk, Release of Liability and Agreement is applicable to Bolton Endurance Sports Training, its coaches, associate coaches, employees, managers, members, affiliates, agents consultants and trainers (hereinafter the â€œReleased Partiesâ€), and I voluntarily enter this agreement. I am applying to participate in the Bolton Endurance Sports Training athletic training program and related activities (collectively referred to as â€œTrainingâ€) being fully aware that the Training involves risks. I accept all the risks of participating in the Training, even if they are created by the carelessness or negligence of a Released Party or anyone else. Risks of the Training include, without limitation, risks of bicycling, indoors or on roads and highways open to traffic, running, on roads, trails or treadmills, swimming in pools or in open water, lakes, oceans or other bodies of water, triathlon, duathlon, physical exertion, training and competing in large groups of people which may create the risk of falls, contact or other trauma, and other risks associated with intense physical activities. I understand these risks exist, that they are beyond the control of Bolton Endurance Sports Training and its employees, affiliates and/or coaches, and I voluntarily accept and assume these risks as part of the Training I will undertake. Additional risks are described on the accompanying List of Possible Hazards. I know there are other risks too that are not listed and I voluntarily accept them too. I fully release, discharge and waive any Claims I may have, now or in the future, against the Released Parties, even if such Claims are based on the carelessness or negligence of a Released Party or anyone ("Claims" as used in this document means any and all liabilities, claims, demands, legal actions, and rights of action for damages, property damage, personal injury or death) which are related to or in any way connected with my participation in the Training which I or my heirs or personal representative could make.

I AGREE NOT TO SUE THE RELEASED PARTIES FOR CLAIMS, EVEN IF THE CLAIMS ARISE FROM THE CARELESSNESS OR NEGLIGENCE OF A RELEASED PARTY OR ANYONE ELSE. I AGREE TO INDEMNIFY (REIMBURSE FOR ANY LOSS) AND HOLD HARMELSS EACH RELEASED PARTY, FROM ANY LOSS OR LIABILITY (INCLUDING ANY REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES THEY MAY INCUR) DEFENDING ANY CLAIM MADE BY ME OR BY ANYONE MAKING A CLAIM ON MY BEHALF, EVEN IF THE CLAIM IS ALLEGED OR DID RESULT FROM THE CARELESSNESS OR NEGLIGENCE OF A RELEASED PARTY OR ANYONE ELSE I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING BELOW, I AM GIVING UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS AND RELEASING THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM LIABILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. I ACKNOLEDGE THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP THOSE RIGHTS, AND AM VOLUNTARILY UNDERTAKING THE INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS PARAGRAPH.

I am aware that there is no obligation for any person to provide me with medical care during the Training. If medical care is rendered to me, I consent to that care if I am unable to give my consent for any reason at the time that the care is rendered. I am aware that it is advisable to consult a physician prior to participating in the Training. If I have consulted a physician, I have taken the physician's advice. I grant my permission to Bolton Endurance Sports Training and to its transferees and licensees, to utilize any photographs, motion pictures, videotapes, recordings and any other references or records of the Training which may depict, record, or refer to me for any purpose, including commercial use, by Bolton Endurance Sports Training, its sponsors, associate coaches and their licensees.I understand that the Bolton Endurance Sports Training coaches, assistant coaches, members, trainers, agents and other affiliates are NOT physicians or health care professionals, and do not have medical training, and are NOT qualified to provide medical advice or consultation. I agree to consult my own physician in connection with any pain, ailment, injury, illness, reaction or other physical or medical condition that may be associated with the Training, and I specifically release and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability, costs, expenses or obligations in connection with any such physical injuries or issues.I agree to abide by the rules of Bolton Endurance Sports Training in any of its training camps. I acknowledge that, if I violate any of these rules, I may be removed from the training camp and the permission for me to participate in the Training camp may be withdrawn by representatives of Bolton Endurance Sports Training. Others may violate the rules of the camps, adding to the risks of participation. No warranties have been made to me about the Training.I intend that this document act as the broadest and most inclusive assumption of risk, waiver, release of liability, agreement not to sue and indemnity as is permitted by the laws of the State of New Mexico. If any portion of it is held to be invalid, I agree that the rest of it shall continue in full force and effect. The singular of nouns and pronouns in this document includes the plural and the plural includes the singular. I agree that this agreement was made in Santa Fe, NM and that the laws of the State of New Mexico shall govern its interpretation and enforcement.If the participant is under 18 years of age, the parent agrees to the following statements: As a parent or guardian of the participant, I authorize the child to participate. I also join in the statements and agreements made by the participant in this document. I agree that, in the event participant or anyone acting on his or her behalf should make any Claims, I will provide the indemnities described in paragraph 3. List of Possible Hazards The following is a partial list of hazards that are often associated with training for triathlon, duathlon, bike racing, running, swimming, cross country skiing, and other such endurance events: Falls resulting in broken bones, sprains, strains, contusions, and equipment damage. Collisions with other athletes or vehicles on the road or trail. Drowning during open water swimming.Saddle sores, crotch rash, neck and back pain, and hand numbness related to bicycle riding. Tendonitis and bursitis, muscle strains and/or tears, and trigger points. Upper respiratory infections associated with heavy training loads. Heart attack and other heart-related symptoms.Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipations (due to dehydration issues) Blood in urine or issues trying to urinate, high ketones or protein levels. Men: penile numbness, prostatitis, swollen testicles, and impotence from bicycling. Women: nipple pain from friction, vulvar swelling, groin and chest rashes, and yeast infections. Anemia, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and exposure to pollution, weight loss, immune system issues due to improper recovery and nutritional needs.Post goal race depression following your "A" race for the season. Reactions to chlorine, possible ear infections, excessive dry skin (worse in cold climates), change in hair color, and nasal infections.Heat stroke, sunburn, hypothermia, frost bite, or other conditions related to outdoor training or extreme weather conditions.

Swim Etiquette for Triathletes

Many folks now participating in triathlon did not have the benefit of growing up as a swimmer. So we thought we would touch on some basic rules of the pools. This way you can feel comfortable jumping in to a pool anywhere and feel like you know what you are doing.

Lane Selection

This is more of an art than a science, but here are a tips that may help you.

First and foremost, seed yourself correctly, and be honest about it. If you swim 100 yds on the 2:00, do not jump into a lane with the folks swimming 1:10/ 100yd Further, if the only way you can maintain the pace of the other swimmers in your lane is by wearing paddles or fins, it’s time to move over to a slower lane!
Typically in a lap pool setting, the center lanes are reserved for the faster swimmers. As you move towards the outside lanes the average pace of the swimmers in those lanes is typically slower. If you have ever watched a swim meet you will see that based on seed times, the fastest swimmers are usually in the middle lanes. This is the ideal setup. However, be aware that not all swimmers know this, nor do all swimmers adhere to these rules. This is the rule of thumb if you show up to an empty pool. Beyond this, you will have to use your best judgment.
To make matters even more confusing, sometime pools and masters programs have the fastest lane on one side of the pool progressing to slower lanes. i.e.; lane 1 is the fastest and lane 8 is the slowest. Basically, people should try to figure out what the pool policy is and adhere to that. When in doubt ask the coach or ask a lifeguard.
If there is an empty lane, jump in – don’t crowd a lane. If there is a lane with 5 people in it next to a lane with 2 people in it, use common sense, i.e you should probably jump in the lane with 2 people. Again, it’s important to gauge the pace. If those two swimmers look faster than you, jump in behind them and then be courteous.
Finally, if you are having a hard time picking a lane, or maybe someone refuses to share a lane (yes-this happens!), talk to the lifeguards. They can help enforce some of these rules and can hopefully point you to in the right direction.

Group Swimming

COLUMBIA, MO – FEBRUARY 16: Swimmers take laps in the warm-up/warm-down pool during day two of the Missouri Grand Prix on February 16, 2008 at the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Let’s talk more specifically about courtesy in a crowded pool. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that aren’t ideal- perhaps the pool is too crowded and you have limited time to squeeze in a workout or maybe you find yourself in a lane of swimmers who are much faster or slower than you.

When joining a lane where swimmers are already present, try to get the swimmers attention so they are aware that someone is joining them. Often this can be done by dipping a kickboard into the water as the swimmer is approaching the wall. Alternatively, you can also wait until the other swimmers complete an interval.
Always circle swim (counterclockwise) unless there is only one other person in the lane and you have already made plans to “split” the lane. (Note that in some countries- Australia for example they actually swim clockwise, just like they drive . So if traveling abroad, make sure you know the local etiquette”). Otherwise always stay to the right unless you’re passing.
If you are done with a lap, move to the side of the lane. Do not sit in the middle of the lane! If you are being passed, the passing swimmer should tap your toes and then pass you on the left. Do not try to speed up or race them, let them pass. Always try to be aware of where the other swimmers are.
Do not jump in front of other swimmers! If you are waiting at the wall for your next interval and the timing of the other swimmers in your lane is not perfect – perhaps the other swimmers who are in the middle of their interval are coming towards you and are about to hit the wall, do not jump in front of them! Yes, you may miss your interval by 5 or 10 seconds, but your lane mates are going to be annoyed if you jump in front of them and they have to swim around you, especially if the lane is really crowded.
If you show up late to a workout, don’t disrupt the others in the lane. Yes, you may have missed part of the warm up- it happens -but do not start your “warm up” as the other swimmers are in their main set. The other swimmers could be trying to hit times on a threshold set, and having someone doing warm up drills in the lane may slow them down. The other option is to warm up in another lane and move over to the group when you are ready.
If you are swimming with a group, show up on time. If you missed something, skip it. If you are getting lapped over and over, maybe try cutting back part of the interval. For instance, if the group workout calls for 6 x 300m and you keep getting lapped, think about maybe cutting back one or two of those to a 200, or possibly skip a 300 and add it to the end of your work out. By modifying your workout you may be able to more closely match the other swimmers.