to think this is not what you do in a spa?

[surroundedbyvulpices]

Having a much needed relaxing afternoon in a spa, doing what one does - sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, lazy lengths in the (smallish) pool (don't judge me, I was desperate).

This guy comes striding out of the men's changing room, goggles on, throws himself into the pool with an almighty splash, and furiously front crawls straight at me without looking. Startled and somewhat intimidated, I get out and find a lounger, while he continues to circle the pool in a savage, noisy and overly splashy manner for a good twenty minutes.

AIBU to think you don't monopolise a quiet spa environment, and certainly not like a bull in a china shop?

Some spas are open to the public as their local swimming pool. Its annoying but he has just as much right to be there as you.

Nesssie Sorry yes, I should have said - this was not one of those. Posh expensive country house spa in the middle of nowhere.

Maybe having a good savage swim is his idea of a spa day

I agree with you OP, it's inconsiderate for others using the pool

Want to change my name to savageswimmer now

Agree with you though op unless it’s open for public swimming that’s hardly relaxing behaviour

Oh, I don't know here. That's possibly the only way he knows how to swim. Are you saying people should only be allowed to swim if they do head up breaststroke with no splash? What about a smooth front crawl, is that allowed? As Im writing, I've decided I think yabu, if people want to swim, they can swim how they like.

Hmmmm. I’m torn on this. I love to swim and if I were at a spa for the day, I’d take my goggles and I’d do my usual 50 / 60 non stop lengths.

However, I swim breast stroke so less splash and savage (). And I’d either swim the circumference of the pool or straight up and down (as I can tumble turn ).

A proper swim is very relaxing for me.

Sounds a bit over the top for a spa. Are you certain they don’t have a health club/gym membership system? Some posh country houses do this to supplement and it does seem to cause issues with different needs of spa versus health club.

Swimming in a swimming pool wow, who knew?

ffs

However, I swim breast stroke so less splash and savage (grin). And I’d either swim the circumference of the pool or straight up and down (as I can tumble turn ).

Ooh no, you can’t tumble turn from breastroke, instant disqualification!

On thinking more I suppose it depends on what you deem to be savage
If he’s just swimming then I think it’s fine
If it’s super super splashy speedy training type swimming a spa isn’t the place

Can you jump in and 'bomb' him? Join in and start a race? Or hold on to the sides and practice your kicking? The man is clearly an idiot, I would be very annoyed as well.

How inconsiderate of him. Doesn’t he know that spas are all full of Mumsnetters getting over non-traumas and relationship non-issues?

Only on MN could someone be "startled and intimidated" by swimming.

(It’s actually more of a regulation flip turn but people understand what’s meant by tumble and aren’t pedants so...!)

There's a world of difference between normal front crawl and angry man "I've still got it" front crawl. Most people understand that when you're sharing a pool with other people (and not trying to qualify for the sodding Olympics) you need to tone down your thrashiness a bit but there's always that one guy.

He's probably a member so doesn't see the place in quite the same way as you do.

hedgefund

This is the aquatic equivalent of man-spreading isn’t it. Person with penis coming through! Make way everyone while I dominate the space, make a lot of fuss and make my presence felt to everyone.

I genuinely think male swimming behaviour (some men obviously, not all men!) is the next feminist frontier.

Every time I go swimming there are men doing aggressive front crawl/ butterfly in the exact way you describe, not looking where they are going, blinding everyone by splashing them in the eyes, soaking people’s hair and getting arsey if there is any restriction on them swimming like this like lane closures (including on a few recent visits for really good reasons like life guard training)!

They are quite threatening to slower swimmers which I find particularly annoying as swimming is perfect exercise for those recovering from surgery or childbirth, older people, the disabled, larger or pregnant people, people returning to exercise after a long gap etc and it annoys me when people without lots of other exercise options are put off or made to feel in the way.

Obviously women I swim with have a large ability range too but I find the keener/ fitter women always operate lane discipline and manners and just subtly move around people in their way. Plenty of men behave well too, but the rude swimmers are ALWAYS male.

YANBU at all

I've had a gym membership in a country house in the middle of nowhere before because I also lived in the middle of nowhere. It sounds like a similar set up as there would be a mixture of guests and regulars.

He's probably a member

Certainly sounds like one.

Maybe he has got 'Baby Shark' earworm and just had to get it out of his head?

Time to practice your cannonball OP.