AIBU to ask if you shower before swimming....

[jewel1968]

I have been having a conversation with someone in the Local Authority about cleanliness in swimming pools and the number of people who don't shower before swimming. Even a shower without soap can remove significant quantities of dirt and grime which means less chemicals are needed in pool water.

We talked about the challenges in trying to nudge people to shower and I promised to explore this with virtual friends. So a few questions:

• do you shower before swimming?
• if you don't can you share why?
• what would persuade you to shower before swimming?
• how would you react if the pool staff told you to shower?
• how effective do you think posters are in communicating the need for showers?

Any other thoughts welcome.....

So if you're not wearing sunscreen or make-up, what exactly are you showering off your body? A bit of sweat?

Yes. I swim in a Lido that encourages a naked shower before swimming. They provide the body wash.

Just googled it. Apparently it's to remove urine and fecal matter. Pretty sure that's not that easy to do in those public showers before entering a pool!

@jewel1968 - do you shower before swimming? Yes just a quick rinse -I'm clean-I shower at home every morning

• if you don't can you share why?
• what would persuade you to shower before swimming? More education into the effects of not showering
• how would you react if the pool staff told you to shower? I would shower
• how effective do you think posters are in communicating the need for showers? Rubbish - they have no impact on people showering at our swimming centre-I think the key is better education

@Havanananana that's a great idea

In a pool yes. In the sea, no.
Interestingly Icelandic pools insist and monitor naked showering with use of provided shower gel before you’re allowed in their beautifully clean pools. They use minimal chemicals and it’s so nice not to be soaking in chlorine.

I tend to. Mostly because I've seen posters along me to. Not with soap though as that would involve putting it back in a locker afterwards. If you want people to use soap you'd need to provide it. Also showers need to be on the way to the pool.

Not doing it: main reason would be on holiday that getting all hot and then cooling off in the pool is so lovely and you can't do that if you have to shower in between.

I rinse on the way in and the way out and if I move between the pool and the sauna. Then have a proper shower and wash hair when I get home. I won’t shower properly at the pool because it’s mixed sex changing and although there are showers in cubicles I can’t work out the logistics of taking off my costume, washing and then putting my wet, cold, dirty costume back on my clean body to goand get dressed.
Obviously the male swimmers resolve this by using the fully public showers, keeping their shorts on but having a good five minute scrub and rummage down them. In front of women and kids, which frankly revolts me.

Thanks everyone. I have shared this valuable insight. What stands out for me is the need to explain the benefits of showering and not assume people know. As I suspected he is very grateful.