There is just so much crazy that happens at the gym, I decided I have to start a semi-regular series on it. Granted I spend way more time then most people in a gym, but I guess that will just lend more fodder for these posts.
If you’ve been a regular reader here then you know I’ve already had a run-in with one of the elderly pool lady mafioso at my YMCA. I’ve also been spending a lot more time in the water as I gear up to compete in triathlons in 2015. However, the interaction I witnessed the other day was something truly astonishing in it’s idiocy. The older lady pool gestapo has reached new heights and it took all of my willpower to not get involved. I could actually hear my husband’s voice in my head yelling “Stay out of it!” It was hard, but I did. I was also in a weakened state since I had been swimming for over 40 minutes.
I digress.
The Scene
YMCA pool, 9:40am about 10 minutes after the pool class had begun. It’s important to point out that the pool class takes up three lanes of our eight lane pool. There’s already animosity between the “real” swimmers and the pool class participants. The participants consist of mostly angry, entitled older women.
The Issue
The very first lane next to the pool class was occupied by a very good, male swimmer. I think he may be a blogger or have his own YouTube channel because he had this cool tripod for his phone set up poolside and he seemed to be filming himself. He was swimming very intensely and gracefully. It’s when he started doing the butterfly stroke that things took a turn.
If you’re not familiar with the butterfly, it’s a very difficult stroke (I would have a stroke if I tried it) and it causes a lot of splashing:
The Confrontation
Because Mr. Butterfly was in the lane right next to the pool class, he was splashing some of the women who were nearest his lane. Now, mind you, we are in a giant pool. The pool class occupies three full lanes of the pool which is almost half the entire pool. The offended party could have simply moved but, remember that ‘entitled’ part to the pool mafioso? Yeah well, I couldn’t believe what happened next.
As Mr. Butterfly was actively swimming his beautiful stroke, the woman he was splashing reached into his lane with both hands while he was swimming and started yelling “Hey! Hey!” He popped up, clearly confused and possibly thinking someone was drowning and in need of his expertise, but was instead accosted by a crazy lady who demanded he “stop splashing.” In a pool. A pool. A pool filled with water for swimming. WTF?
I was two lanes over so I couldn’t hear his response or see he face but I’m thinking it was something like this:
Are you insane?
After some discussion with the other swimmers, we came to the conclusion that this crazy lady didn’t want her hair to get wet. In a pool.
I felt bad for the guy because she was so obnixious and rude. Maybe the splashing was annoying or frustrating to her but it’s her problem. It’s not like he was just standing there splashing for no reason! He’s swimming!
People never cease to amaze me but, if they did, I would have nothing to write about!
What amazes you at the gym?
What kind of bad behavior have you witnessed in public by adults?
People seriously amaze and yet like you if it weren’t for these types of people what would we write about?! 😉
Exactly!
Allie, this is awesome! It sounds like you had a little gang in the pool, and I love that you all discussed who was right and who was wrong 😛 Hey, whatever keeps you occupied in the pool right, I know how crazy it can set your mind if you aren’t careful. I got in many an argument, and gave out many of those looks in my pool running days. Looking back, a lot of it was just my frustration with being injured being taken out on others……but I definitely had some reason to get annoyed!
Have a wonderful weekend friend!
There are total pool gangs!! It’s crazy in there. Forget the track – people throw down in the pool!!
Ohhhh, how I don’t miss the crazy, entitled, little old ladies who take swim aerobics! When the new aquatic center opened up, I was ecstatic to learn that all classes take place in the warm water pool – and not in the lap swimming pool! THANK GOODNESS!
You should be! We also have a warm water pool but only SOME of the classes are held there. Arrrggghhhh.
Ooh, I am sure going to love this new series. Please post more stories like this!
I understand both sides of the story:, but it’s unfortunate that she didn’t understand that there is certainly a RISK in getting wet if you’re in a pool. Also, if she’s concerned with that, she should it her problem unto others. She can’t tells others to adjust to her, she has to adjust herself to the situation.
Talk about entitled.
I wonder what the guy’s YouTube channel is.
Exactly!
I wonder too because I would totally watch it. If I ever see him again, I’ll have to ask.
Aw, a good butterfly must be recognized! It’s my favorite stroke but is SO tiring. I swim in my city’s free outdoor public pool in the summer and it’s GOOD TIMES for awkward people! The best was the dude who decided to swim in my lane, which was the medium/fast lane (paces are clearly marked along with pool rules, love it) and he had no goggles. Soooooooooo he ran into several people and kept coming up for a walking break…on one 50m swim. I finally told him that he may want to try another lane when he noticed five angry swimmers behind us.
OMG that is insane!!! People are so crazy. I wish we had designated lanes for speed. I’m sure there would be a complete and total uproar if there was though…which would be hilarious.
I am CRYING with laughter. Seriously, sitting here alone at my computer laughing out loud! OMG, I was already dying but when I got to that GIF, I almost spewed coffee on my keyboard! First of all, BEST.STORY.EVER. and I cannot wait to share it everywhere! Secondly, I can already tell I am going to LOVE this series!! HA HA HA HA!-Ashley
You are the BEST and you totally get me!!! xoxoxoxo
Kills me. and I can totally picture it. For some reason, the pool brings out the worst behavior and the most confrontations–I guess it’s trying to squeeze all those people into one small space and expecting them to share it? Which IS doable aqua class lady. Poor guy getting his workout messed up.
Keep the stories coming!
You’re absolutely right – just too many varying abilities in a smallish space…with water. Not good.
I don’t think I will ever run out of stories for this.
Yea, that is a bit unreasonable. People never cease to amaze me in their entitledness (is that a word?) I mean if you are in a pool you ARE going to get wet….so annoying.
Right! I mean, I’ve seen this happen with kids but these are adults. Come on!!
Oh now. Now the aqua lady is mad. Which means that she’ll shake the baby powder even more aggressively in the changing room, leading to an even more mucky and disgusting floor when I go to change for MY swim. Every action has repercussions for someone…
that aside- I wish I could swim fly without drowning… but I’m not sure I’m motivated enough to pursue lessons. Hmm.
Hahahahaha!!! They do tend to throw the powder don’t they?
Can I just say again that you are the best storyteller? And the stuff that happens to you, or around you, just hilarious!
Thanks Laura!! I do tend to witness some insane stuff!
I don’t see many crazy people at my gym – I will look harder though. I do love the guy who lifts weights in jeans. Upper body only. Wtf?
Gotta love the jeans. I saw a woman on the elliptical in jeggings once. Totally killed me.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said entitled. I would have told her that I will continue to swim and if she didn’t like it she is free to complain. Something tells me that she may actually get her way.
He was way nicer then I would have been. He started doing the “offensive” stroke at the other end of the lane only. Booooo.
My brother and I were celebrating black friday by doing an indoor tri at my Y. Everything in the pool went well, but as a new member i didnt realize we had to sign up for treadmills or bikes. In the middle of my ride an entitled man signed up for the bike I was currently riding for 10 min. later. He came back and started kicking me off of the bike because it was his designated time. He and my brother got into s small yelling match and I avoided conflict by moving onto the treadmill. When Mr Nazi sign was done with my bike 20 min later I finished my indoor tri… just a little out of order. I still see him there an sneer at him.
People get so territorial about equipment and their “spot” in classes – it’s so ridiculous! I’m glad your brother stood up for you. Didn’t that guy get you were in the middle of a TRI??? So awful.
I’m always amazed at people who seem offended when they are in the water and somehow end up wet!! I will be the first to admit that I don’t really like water in my face (I’m blaming too many years as a contact wearer) but I know when I’m in the pool, lake or ocean that it is part of the territory and I can move or shut the hell up!!!
Exactly! People are nuts.
What. Is. Wrong. With. People?? Although, if people are going to be this entitled and obnoxious, I’m glad you’re able to witness it so you can tell us the crazy stories afterward.
Me too 🙂
Yep! When I belonged to the gym, I couldn’t stand the pool class…what a waste of lane time at the most jam packed times of day. I was thinking about joining the local colleges pool because I just couldn’t take being in the gym anymore. The energy wasn’t good. PS. he might have been recording his swim to have it analyzed. I would know because sometimes I am the one filming a certain someone’s swim 🙂
Hahaha – yes, you’re right about that! He was definitely filming a variety of strokes. Maybe you can get a certain someone a tripod and waterproof case for Christmas? 🙂
Sigh. How obnoxious, the poor guy.
I don’t belong to our YMCA but I love the stories. I know I’d become my own story because I have a bikini and all the other moms wear one pieces and I really can’t. I’d look like a 12-year-old in one. I just can’t. But they all gossip about people who wear bikinis! Boo!
You know I rock my bikini in the kids pool!…there’s plenty of talk about me already 🙂
OMG OMG I can totally picture this and I’ve seen similar things happen. I try to avoid swimming when there is a pool class going on not only because that means lap swimmers are smushed into 2 lanes but to avoid all the drama too. What is it about the pool that people forget about etiquette? Oy. The guy is just swimming!
I try to avoid it too but it’s hard since there are pool classes three times a week! Those ladies love their pool classes 🙁
Oh my goodness! What an asshat!
(Yeah I just called an old lady an asshat)
It’s a perfect description of her behavior.
wait…what? You don’t want to get your hair wet…in a pool. I can’t. The poor guy was just trying to ..you know..swim and he probably had the mess scared out of him. Old or not rude is just RUDE!
You are 100% right!!! I’m hoping he put her in her place but I’m guessing he didn’t, which just makes me mad!!
My husband swims a lot at the Y. He told me about an older woman who told him the lane he was swimming in was HER lane. He seriously couldn’t beleive ti.
Oh the fun in the pool never ends! I swear the pool people are tyrants!!!
I honestly cannot believe she reached into his lane! I think that is kind of unsafe. What a total crazy. She doesn’t want to get her hair wet…in a POOL?1? Oh man.
Um yes, she is obviously insane and lucky…lucky she didn’t reach into my lane!