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AIBU?

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Original poster

To say you don’t swim backstroke when the pool is busy

39 replies

CatWeekly · 09/05/2024 20:36

Just as the title suggests, went swimming today and one man was doing backstroke every other length of the pool. He didn’t look where he was going at all and just expected everyone else to get out of his way. He had several glancing blows where he hit people but never stopped.

So YABU, he was perfectly within his rights to do backstroke in a busy pool.
YANBU he was a selfish wanker.

OP posts:
VanTullek · 10/05/2024 10:01

IME twats will be twats. Some people can swim backstroke in a busy pool without being annoying because they make an effort and are aware of their surroundings, while some can't even swim breaststroke without whacking other people in the face.

Elebag · 10/05/2024 10:01

Yanbu. Backstroke is only something that can be done in an empty lane.

Mind you, I find breaststroke tricky in a busy lane too. My toe was dislocated years ago when a fellow breastroker (?😳) kicked my little toe out of the socket. Our pools are basically too small.

CharlotteBog · 10/05/2024 09:59

Rosecoffeecup · 10/05/2024 09:55

YANBU, it drives me nuts. Fine if you can keep a straight line and are actually mindful of people around you, but some people are just utter twats. See also: people doing butterfly and splashing every poor fucker around them

Twat in the pool - probably drives their car like they own the road, charges around shops oblivious to other people.....

Rosecoffeecup · 10/05/2024 09:55

YANBU, it drives me nuts. Fine if you can keep a straight line and are actually mindful of people around you, but some people are just utter twats. See also: people doing butterfly and splashing every poor fucker around them

CharlotteBog · 10/05/2024 09:48

The lifeguards at our pool are more proactive/confident in pulling up people not following pool etiquette these days e.g. in the wrong lane, dominating a lane with butterfly. It wasn't always the case.

I've not seen anyone hit people doing backstroke (well maybe the odd accident now and again).

I am confident enough to speak up for myself but I shouldn't have to, lifeguards should do it. No one should be intimidated out of the pool.

Lammveg · 09/05/2024 20:57

I agree its not the stroke its the person. When I used to go Lane swimming one fucker would always do aggressive butterfly which forced everyone out of his lane so he had it to himself 😤

dragonscannotswim · 09/05/2024 20:52

GrumpyOldCrone · 09/05/2024 20:39

It’s selfish if he’s hitting people. When I swim backstroke in a busy pool I tilt my head back every few strokes and look behind me to ensure I keep my distance. It’s quite easy to do, and I’ve never hit anyone yet. So the issue here is the selfishness and poor technique, rather than the stroke itself.

This!

Cluborange666 · 09/05/2024 20:51

I’ve been hit multiple times by men doing this. I actually stopped swimming because of it as I have PTSD due to violence and it was upsetting for me. I also saw a big strong lady do backstroke right into a tiny frail old lady who had just got into the pool, looked upset and immediately got out again 😞 The backstroke lady didn’t even register it,

Thursdaygirl · 09/05/2024 20:44

Coffee23 · 09/05/2024 20:39

YANBU completely selfish

it’s a shared pool so you have to be mindful of others. Some people are selfish and aren’t

Yep!

Runningbird43 · 09/05/2024 20:43

It’s fine to swim backstroke if you know how to swim in a session environment and can do so without impeding anyone else.

if you are a Rec swimmer with no group training experience then no, don’t.

ssd · 09/05/2024 20:40

Its always a man who does this and Usually older too.

Deathbyfluffy · 09/05/2024 20:40

It's a real issue at my local too, but seems to be fairly equally split between men and women doing it.
I try and go out of hours to avoid the aggro these days, which is annoying in itself!

GrumpyOldCrone · 09/05/2024 20:39

It’s selfish if he’s hitting people. When I swim backstroke in a busy pool I tilt my head back every few strokes and look behind me to ensure I keep my distance. It’s quite easy to do, and I’ve never hit anyone yet. So the issue here is the selfishness and poor technique, rather than the stroke itself.

Coffee23 · 09/05/2024 20:39

YANBU completely selfish

it’s a shared pool so you have to be mindful of others. Some people are selfish and aren’t