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
Oh Mary, I'm so sorry! That sounds pretty horrific and painful. I thought you said the game was "friendly"?!?!?! Wow!
Last year at the La Jolla OWS I got kicked in the mouth accidently during the scramble at the start. Mine was not nearly as bad as your injury, but my mouth swelled up even so. My friend has been calling me "lips" ever since. We still laugh about it. I hope you can laugh (although I imagine even smiling is pretty painful for you at this point) about this some day. Maybe next year you should wear a face mask! I hope you feel better soon!!! And that you are able to swim this Sunday.
The best to you this weekend.
Kerri
PS -- My husband and I LOVE your city. We hope to get back there soon.
Oh Mary, I'm so sorry! That sounds pretty horrific and painful. I thought you said the game was "friendly"?!?!?! Wow!
Last year at the La Jolla OWS I got kicked in the mouth accidently during the scramble at the start. Mine was not nearly as bad as your injury, but my mouth swelled up even so. My friend has been calling me "lips" ever since. We still laugh about it. I hope you can laugh (although I imagine even smiling is pretty painful for you at this point) about this some day. Maybe next year you should wear a face mask! I hope you feel better soon!!! And that you are able to swim this Sunday.
The best to you this weekend.
Kerri
PS -- My husband and I LOVE your city. We hope to get back there soon.
