Behaviour on the rapids at center parcs

[OneMintEagle]

Bit of a weird experience today on the rapids at center parcs. Just wanted to share really and have never posted before and just feel a bit creeped out but wonder if im overthinking it. Going down the rapids with my kids (I am 42) and there’s a young teen boy behind us. He’s about 14 I think and doesn’t seem to be specifically with anyone going down the rapids. He comes down right behind me and at every turn is pressed up against me. Now, this is usually quite normal with people crashing down the rapids and getting bumped into each other but this felt more deliberate and when we were all a bit stuck he positioned himself with one leg either side of me. Felt uncomfortable and I moved away. Went round the rapids a few more times and noticed him waiting at the top and then he followed us down straight away with the same seemingly deliberate getting close and the same positioning so I was sort of between his legs. Honestly writing this makes me feel a bit weird. On the third time round I paused to let him go ahead and he paused too. I ended up leaving the rapids and fortunately didn’t see him again. It’s left me feeling really weird. I’ve never experienced anything like that before and i know it’s not a serious incident or anything but it was icky and I felt like I was being taken advantage of in some way. I didn’t say anything to him but in hindsight perhaps I should have asked him to keep his distance and called him on it. Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing? I guess I just wanted to share really just to get it off my chest in the hope it makes me feel a bit better.

It’s weird behaviour and if it made you feel uncomfortable then that’s something. Unfortunately nothing actually ‘happened’ and there’s not much you can do if it wasn’t addressed at the time.

If it happens to you again then speak to the staff/lifeguard on duty but I’m not sure what they could do other than keeping an eye on it. If someone’s making you uncomfortable repeatedly on the rapids then just stay away from them. I always find it hard to maintain personal space on them anyway!

I've been many times and have had many incidents of crashing into other people, (much as I try and avoid it) I've never felt any of it was intentional or had someone's legs around me.
If I were you and you spot him again I'd point him out discreetly to the lifeguards, if not I'd still report to guest services as you may not be the only one, particularly as many young girls go around the rapids by themselves as they get split up easily or just want another go when parents aren't around.

Yanbu at all girl, sorry you were on the end of this randy teen 🥺

He needs to be taught that that isn't okay.

Of course you should've asked him to keep his distance.

"Nah, you go first mate".

That's all that needed to be said as you gesture towards it.

Thanks all. It’s funny really that at my grand old age I should be better at being more forthright when it comes to someone making you feel uncomfortable but it remains still so much easier to be small and to to brush it off and not deal with it head on. I think it’s a good lesson for me in thinking about this and how I can help me and my kids be better at sticking up for themselves and calling people out.

Sounds very odd. I think I would've asked him directly in earshot of the lifeguard 'is there a problem? You seem to be waiting whenever I go down the rapids, you're getting too close and you're making me feel uncomfortable. Do I need to have a word with your parents?' He'd probably have mumbled and fluffed an answer and backed off.
Unfortunately he now thinks he's got away scott free with this behaviour and will continue doing it.

Also to add, I've never had this happen on CP rapids. A couple of times I've bumped into the same person throughout the journey, but it's always very obvious it's accidental and people are careful to keep their limbs to themselves, and wait a bit for a clear space to continue.

Yeah it's weird and YANBU to feel weird. I think the pp point that it is worth mentioning to the lifeguards in case he continues and / or targets young girls would be sensible. If you personally encounter him again then call him out on it / suggest he goes past you.

Sounds very odd. They have security cameras on part's of the rapids so if this happens again & you don't feel able to confront him speak to staff so they can monitor him.

Jesus, he sounds like a predator in the making as he was more than comfortable with physically invading your space and touching you inappropriately. I daresay he enjoyed your discomfort. What a horrible experience.