This is a swimming rant!
I chucked my membership from the above gym and pool because of expense. I now swim at our local leisure centre most mornings during the lane swimming session. I do not swim in either the fast, medium or slow lanes because they are rather narrow and if some participants are swimming breast stroke one can get a stray foot in the ribs. Never mind the ribs - I mind terribly if I am hit on my knees - they might collapse in metal pieces! So - I swim in the free area but have to keep weaving in and out so as not to get hit - I look up fairly often just to see that the way is clear.
Today was different! The pool was unusually empty in the free zone today and I was making good progress to complete my thirty lengths. I set off and about half way down the pool a man jumped in front of me swimming furiously - he kept his line and I had to swiftly veer out of his way. The man kept up aggressive swimming complete with tumble turns - everyone else had to keep their distance.
I saw red! The free zone often contains some very vulnerable people, some bad swimmers and truly disabled swimmers. At the end of my stint I got out, complained to the young lifeguard who could not have been nicer but felt (I think because of his age) unable to speak to this guy, so I asked if I could - and I did. I tapped the man smartly on the arm and suggested he swum in the fast lane as he was a very good swimmer. I got excuses and more excuses. I ended up shouting at him and wagging my finger like an old schoolmarm!! After I had changed and was leaving I met the lifeguard in the entrance hall and he informed me that the manager had been called - apparently this man is "known" to them. I suddenly felt better! I very rarely complain to anyone about anything. I hope this guy never appears again in the free zone and if he does I will stop swimming but stand my ground!