In one of my first open water swims many years ago I had someone grab my ankle and then swim over me and push off my shoulder. I lifted my head up in time to see him try it to the swimmer in front of me, who was a friend I had been drafting off. My friend grabbed him back, pushed off his shoulder and kicked hard as he swam off. This caused the offender to stop long enough for me to push off his shoulder and resume drafting off my friend.
I have had my ankle pulled in a few other races but never like that first time. It does not happen very often. Other than that first time I usual don't retaliate and just let it go.
I had been swimming for a good 2-3 minutes when some girl (I would definitely not say lady!) grabbed my ankle, pulled me back and proceeded to swim right over me. I was not happy.
My question is: Is this normal in OW swimming?
:lmao:
I was really surprised.
Everyone is different. And every race/swim is different.
The first race I ever did, someone grabbed my ankle. It startled me alot. Now mind you, I was not in the front of the pack. I had read about races and knew to hang back and maybe to the side to start. (In fact I finished 8th from the bottom out of about 100).
I'm willing to give the person the benefit of the doubt. After all, when we're learning to swim or trying to improve our swim, are we not taught to GRAB the water and pull it? I could see someone (maybe a little nervously) over grabbing.
Now, don't get me wrong. If they grab and hold on, they're definitely going to get a foot in the face. And if they grab repeatedly, the same. But the first time, I'll let it go.
JIM
A simple way to reduce ankle grabs is to layer on the Vaseline on your legs and ankles, not only does it make your feet slippery they now have it all over there hands if they attempt to grab on. :)
