Contents
A look at the science behind why the middle lanes in swimming pools are typically painted yellow.
Checkout this video:
The Purpose of the Middle Lanes
The three yellow middle lanes of a standard 50-meter pool are not just there for decoration. In fact, they play an important role in helping swimmers stay on course and swim in a straight line. Let’s take a closer look at why the middle lanes are yellow and what purpose they serve.
To Slow Down Swimmers
Middle lanes are yellow because they are intended to be used as passing lanes. They are typically one full lane width wider than the inside slow lane, which is usually painted red or white. The added width gives swimmers more room to safely pass each other.
Slower swimmers should stay to the right so that they are not in the way of faster swimmers who are trying to pass. When passing, always yield to swimmers who are on your left and be sure to check for oncoming traffic before you make your move.
To Help Swimmers Stay in Their Lanes
While the outside lanes are for the fastest swimmers, the middle lanes are meant for those who are swimming at a more moderate pace. The yellow line down the middle of each lane is there to help swimmers stay within their own lane and not cross over into another swimmer’s space. This line is also helpful in keeping swimmers swimming in a straight line. If a swimmer were to veer off course and swim outside of their lane, they would be disqualified from the race.
The History of the Middle Lanes
The middle lanes in swimming pools are typically painted yellow. But why are they yellow, and not some other color? The middle lanes were originally painted yellow because they were intended to be a warning to swimmers. These lanes were intended to be a buffer between the fast lane and the slow lane.
The First Middle Lanes Were Blue
The first recorded use of blue middle lanes in a swimming pool was at the completion of the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. The Olympic Games were held in a temporary pool that was 50 meters long with eight lanes. The middle two lanes of the pool were painted blue to create a separation between the swimmers competing in the Olympic finals and those who had not qualified.
The blue middle lanes were also used at the first World Aquatics Championships held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1973. The championships were held in an outdoor pool that was 50 meters long with ten lanes. The middle two lanes of the pool were again painted blue to create a separation between the swimmers competing in the finals and those who had not qualified.
The practice of using blue middle lanes spread to other competitions, including national championships and meets involving high-level swimmers. However, it was not until 1984 that the use of blue middle lanes became standardized. That year, FINA, the international governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming, adopted Rule SW 8.3, which states that “the competitors’ starting blocks for all events shall be placed on opposite sides of the pool…and two violet or blue lines 1 meter wide shall be drawn on the bottom of the pool equidistant from each side.”
The Middle Lanes Were Changed to Yellow in the 1970s
The middle lanes of a typical swimming pool are generally painted yellow. But why are the middle lanes yellow, and how did this tradition come about?
The yellow middle lanes were introduced in the 1970s as a way to help swimmers stay on course. The thinking was that the contrast of the yellow lane lines against the blue pool would help swimmers keep their bearings and swim straight.
While there is no scientific evidence to support this theory, the yellow middle lanes have become a fixture in pools around the world. So, if you find yourself swimming in a pool with yellow lane lines, now you know why!
The Science of the Middle Lanes
People often wonder why the middle lanes in a swimming pool are dyed yellow. There are a few reasons for this! The most obvious reason is to help swimmers know where they are in the pool. The yellow lines help provide a visual cue for swimmers to know when they are in the middle of the pool.
The Middle Lanes Are Yellow Because of the Sun’s Reflection
The middle lanes of a swimming pool are yellow because of the sun’s reflection. The sun’s rays are reflected off the water in the middle lanes and create a yellow hue. The darker the water, the more pronounced the yellow color will be.
The Middle Lanes Are Also Yellow Because of the Chlorine in the Pool
While the yellow lanes may look unappealing, they are actually there for a very important reason. The yellow color is caused by the chlorine in the pool, which is necessary to keep the pool water clean and safe.
The chlorine helps to kill bacteria and other contaminants that could make swimmers sick. However, too much chlorine can also be harmful, which is why it is important to maintain the right balance. The yellow color of the lanes is a good indicator that the chlorine levels are where they should be.
