The most obvious purpose of swimming lane lines is to create visual markers in the pool to separate swimmers. But they also offer integral safety and performance for your aquatic facility.
Community pools, school facilities, and competitive venues should all understand the purpose of swimming lane lines and reasons to upgrade the lines as competition increases at your facility or your materials begin to break down.
Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Swimming Lane Lines
Lane lines help reduce waves generated by swimmers in your pool and thereby provide a competitive environment no matter what lane a swimmer is seeded in. Learn how to spot deteriorating lane lines before it impacts competition at your facility.
1. Visible Damage or Wear
Lane lines sit in chlorinated water for hours at a time or in some facilities, never-endingly. Outdoor pools subject the lane lines to UV rays, which can further breakdown the lane lines.
If you see any cracking, severely faded colors or broken discs, it’s time for new lane lines. Fraying cables are another telltale sign that it’s time to replace your lane lines. Damaged lines compromise safety and performance.
2. Regulation Compliance
As the audience at your pool adapts and perhaps becomes more competitive, you’ll need to comply with World Aquatics regulations for lane lines. World Aquatics sets forth strict dimensions, materials and anchoring systems for lane lines at competitive facilities.
Review your existing lane lines to ensure they meet these standards and requirements, and upgrade your materials to protect the integrity of your facility.
3. Enhanced Performance Needs
When you originally purchased your lane lines, your facility may have hosted elementary swim meets or introductory lessons. But if you’re looking to grow your audience and host more competitive events, you should look into having optimal swim conditions, which involves quality lane lines.
Upgrading your lane lines can help give your pool greater hydrodynamics to reduce turbulence and make your pool the sought-after facility for competition.
4. You’re Frequently Repairing or Troubleshooting the Lane Lines
While lane lines require some maintenance no matter their quality, you shouldn’t find yourself repairing them frequently. That maintenance might be costing you more than simply replacing your lane lines would. Plus, it’s impacting the experience that swimmers and coaches have at your facility.
Benefits of a Lane Line Upgrade
Some facilities put off swimming lane line upgrades due to the cost. But the longer you put it off, the more it will likely cost you in lost revenue from fewer pool members and less use of your facility for competition. Here’s a look at the benefits you can experience once you make the upgrade.
- Greater safety: With clearer boundaries, you reduce the likelihood of collisions and minimize wave interference.
- Enhanced performance: Upgraded lane lines do more to dampen waves and create a smoother swimming environment, which allows athletes to perform at their best no matter what lane they are in.
- Cost effectiveness: Investing in high-quality lane lines will reduce the repairs and replacements on your existing lane lines, which could result in long-term cost savings.
- Regulatory compliance: Ensuring your facility meets the latest standards and regulations is essential to hosting competitions of all kinds.
How to Choose the Right Lane Lines
As you shop for lane lines, consider how they’ll perform in a competitive environment. Competitor Swim has built the LifeSpan+ formula for enhanced durability while ensuring optimal wave quelling to support the most competitive environments. Shop now to find the lane lines that will increase your facility’s reputation.
