Yesterday I swam the 2 mile pier to pier at Newport Beach. This was not my first open water swim. I have done many of them. However, yesterday was the first time I encountered such a disturbing experience.
There were 240 people in the race. Of course there was the usual bumping, clobbering, smacking, kicking, and pulling that goes on when ever this many swimmers are converging on one point. Anyone who has ever done an open water swim is used to this. But yesterday a male swimmer actually grabbed me from behind the neck, pushed me down under the water, and then kicked me in the head in order to swim over me. When I say he grabbed me by the neck -- I mean GRABBED HARD. This was not an accident, but a purposeful manuever to get ahead. When I came up for air I was pounded by the swimmer behind me (also a male) who actually apologized.
I finished the swim and I will do more of them. I am still stunned though and my neck hurts today. I am not so naive as to think this kind of stuff never happens, I guess I'm just blown away because it actually happened to me and I was not in any way in competition with this guy.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Kerri
Parents
Former Member
Thanks everybody for your supportive and funny statements. They definitely help heal the "wound."
I would bet that the bigger you are the less likely someone would try to take you down. I actually have long fingernails, but it would never have occurred to me to use them as retaliation. Hmmmmmm. I did try to grab on to his leg, not to get back at him really, but more to make him turn around so I could see his face. I couldn't think fast enough to get a good grip and then got bonked from behind anyway so what are ya gonna do. Believe me Mary, I would have reported him if I could have identified him.
I have to say, especially to you Guvnah, that for me this was a rare experience and I have done many open water swims. The first I ever did I just stood in the back (out of fear) and went out slowly and cautiously. But I ended up passing so many people that I decided to take my chances and get out there with the bolder swimmers as I did more races. I guess you just need to find your comfort zone and you will with each race.
I think this guy has surely done this before and I am sure karma will meet up with him at some point. But someone like this probably won't ever get the message even if it screams at him. You know? Disturbed people who put winning ahead of someone's safety are too far gone.
The best way to beat him is not to let him stop me. I am doing Seal Beach this coming weekend and hopefully it will be the usual rewarding experience.
Thanks again!
Kerri
Thanks everybody for your supportive and funny statements. They definitely help heal the "wound."
I would bet that the bigger you are the less likely someone would try to take you down. I actually have long fingernails, but it would never have occurred to me to use them as retaliation. Hmmmmmm. I did try to grab on to his leg, not to get back at him really, but more to make him turn around so I could see his face. I couldn't think fast enough to get a good grip and then got bonked from behind anyway so what are ya gonna do. Believe me Mary, I would have reported him if I could have identified him.
I have to say, especially to you Guvnah, that for me this was a rare experience and I have done many open water swims. The first I ever did I just stood in the back (out of fear) and went out slowly and cautiously. But I ended up passing so many people that I decided to take my chances and get out there with the bolder swimmers as I did more races. I guess you just need to find your comfort zone and you will with each race.
I think this guy has surely done this before and I am sure karma will meet up with him at some point. But someone like this probably won't ever get the message even if it screams at him. You know? Disturbed people who put winning ahead of someone's safety are too far gone.
The best way to beat him is not to let him stop me. I am doing Seal Beach this coming weekend and hopefully it will be the usual rewarding experience.
Thanks again!
Kerri
