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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not want to be the only swimmer?

63 replies

ScoopT · 22/03/2023 17:36

I booked into swimming at the local swim centre, I go there quite often as it's local but a bit small and grotty. I turned up and changed to find there was no one else booked into my session. I felt super awkward so I got dressed and left again.

AIBU to just bugger off? There are other sessions after mine so it's not like the staff are there just for me but it felt very awkward to be swimming up and down in silence with just a lifeguard watching me.

OP posts:
Wishawisha · 22/03/2023 17:49

I mean you aren’t unreasonable because you can change your mind about wanting to swim at any time… but I can’t relate to this.
The only times I’ve given up on swimming are when it’s too busy not too quiet.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 22/03/2023 17:51

You are not unreasonable to do whatever you want to do with your time when it affects no-one else. But truly…you are crazy! That would have bern my dream. Grotty pool or otherwise. I still recall the time I had that happen to me (more than 20 years ago) late one night. One of my best memories.

Original poster
ScoopT · 22/03/2023 17:51

@AuntiesWoodenLeg I am self conscious swimming tbf. I'm not brilliant at it and and very much a swimmer who doesn't get my hair wet 😂 in a full pool I can hide

OP posts:
Original poster
ScoopT · 22/03/2023 17:52

@Hankunamatata I'm in the market for some of those- have you got any you suggest?

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 22/03/2023 17:53

Wow, dh absolutely loves this when it happens, doesn’t stop banging on about how brilliant it is 😂
There’s no lifeguard a lot of the time though at our pool unless it’s family swim sessions/kids allocated times, not that this would bother him one iota.

Addymontgomeryfan · 22/03/2023 17:56

I book the earliest swim session at the pool as often as family stuff allows me to just because I know it will either be just me or one or two others

CremeEggsForBreakfast · 22/03/2023 17:57

I can see why it might be awkward but invest in some swim-safe headphones, pop on a podcast or some music and zone out. Enjoy your swim!

BestIsWest · 22/03/2023 17:59

I’ve loved it whenever I’ve had the chance (I used to find that on Sunday afternoons the pool in the gym was always deserted). Doing a Starfish float in the middle of the pool. Bliss.

Jules912 · 22/03/2023 18:06

I joined a gym precisely so there were less people in the pool, and loved it if I got it to myself ( a lane to myself was fairly common but whole pool rare). They didn't usually have a lifeguard though.

saveforthat · 22/03/2023 18:11

I've heard it all now, pool to yourself is the dream, yes YABU and completely pathetic .

Original poster
ScoopT · 22/03/2023 18:29

Haha yep totally pathetic 🤣

OP posts:
MissMogwai · 22/03/2023 18:32

YABU but think you've gathered that now lol

I'd love it! I was the last person in today and had 20 minutes of my own pool. It was amazing and I did an extra 12 lengths.

Vallmo47 · 22/03/2023 18:45

I was in a lane today with 7 other swimmers, all different abilities, all getting annoyed by how busy it was. It’s horrible when you’re the fastest and can’t get the most out of your work out, it’s also horrible when you’re the slowest and busting your butt trying to be quick so you’re not inconsiderate to others. I can understand not wanting to be totally alone OP but alone in your particular lane is bliss!

DappledThings · 22/03/2023 18:48

ScoopT · 22/03/2023 17:51

@AuntiesWoodenLeg I am self conscious swimming tbf. I'm not brilliant at it and and very much a swimmer who doesn't get my hair wet 😂 in a full pool I can hide

I swim like that too and I'd still love a pool to myself. The lifeguard isn't judging your style and even if they are you'll never know. It doesn't matter

Dirtypaintwater · 22/03/2023 18:52

I'd prefer it. I'm newly returned to swimming as of today and struggled, and managed to collide with a poor older woman who was so frustrated with me (reasonably so, I'd feel the same if it happened to me all the time too).

LookingOldTheseDays · 22/03/2023 18:55

Having the pool to yourself is living the dream! Honestly, I'd love it.

Fair enough that you didn't like it, but a lot of people would be happy.

Alltheproductsnoidea · 22/03/2023 18:56

Hankunamatata · 22/03/2023 17:49

Nope would love it. Waterproof earphones I'd be in heaven

Hey any recommendations for headphones!

Cherrysoup · 22/03/2023 18:57

I’d be in heaven, much nicer to have the place to yourself.

Original poster
ScoopT · 22/03/2023 18:57

@Vallmo47 my ideal is one person per lane which usually is fine at this pool as it's quiet but today was too much for me 😂

OP posts:
BabychamGlass · 22/03/2023 18:58

It's lovely having the pool to yourself, and the lifeguards 'watch' you less, as it's more obvious if something were to go wrong.

Badbudgeter · 22/03/2023 19:00

Ive been there. Our lifeguards walks around and around the pool. Probably marvelling at how slow I am and my poor form. I give no fucks.

Mxflamingnoravera · 22/03/2023 19:03

That is my idea of heaven.

QueSyrahSyrah · 22/03/2023 19:06

We don't have 'sessions' as such at my gym (apart from a couple of hours a day set aside for kids) but I've often been the only person swimming at lunchtime and it's lovely!

itsgettingweird · 22/03/2023 19:07

You've clearly never shared a lane with other swimmers.

I'd love a lane to myself - the whole pool - even better Grin

Original poster
ScoopT · 22/03/2023 19:17

@itsgettingweird that's the ridiculous thing, last week I moaned that there were too many people there!

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