To think it's no big deal that I wore (clean) shorts into the swimming pool?

[NancysGarden]

I expected it to be an ordinary trip to the pool, but no thanks to some over-zealous lifeguard I was asked kindly to leave. I didn't see the problem and assured the man I would bring "proper" swimwear next time, and got into the pool with my LO. I wasn't even swimming, so what's the big deal?

[ComeOeufeneer]

But what reason did he give as to why there were not appropriate attire for the pool!

[NancysGarden]

Some rubbish about the rules stating you must wear proper swimwear, but couldn't tell me why! I don't think they'll change the rules for me, but if they get a few complaints maybe they could come up with some coherent excuses...

[Phoenix4725]

funny oneas have seen men/boys wear shorts in pool that are not obviously swim trunks

[Surfermum]

This seems to be a classic case of rules being for the guidance of wise men and the obeyance of fools.

[NancysGarden]

exactly. I could understand it if I had been wearing a t-shirt or anything that weighs you down, in terms of safety but surfermum think you are right

[pointydog]

You are not allowed to wear shorts in pools in France (and maybe other countries too) as they create a lot more drag in the water.

I think some UK pools are starting to do this too.

They should be explain their rules. I would complain on the basis that the attendants cannot explain the rules.

[MrsMellowdrummer]

Life guards wear them don't they?

And swimming teachers!

Sounds like a stoopid rule to me.

[NancysGarden]

good point mrs mellow. If there was a sudden disaster there would still be drag. But as I said earlier, can't one just use one's judgement. I was in the baby pool for pity's sake.

[heronsfly]

I work at a leisure centre,and you would have been asked to leave our pool if you were very obviously wearing shorts,(we do turn a blind eye if they look like costume bottoms).
In our defence we have plenty of posters around the pool and changing village informing the public of what is considered unsuitable swim wear.
The trouble is,where do you draw the line,if they allowed you to wear yours,how could they turn away half a dozen teens,wearing cut off jeans?

[pointydog]

'changing village' . What an odd term

[NancysGarden]

isn't that an example of using one's judgement. If you ask me they do look like swimwear, but hey, he obv didn't think so... changing village is an odd term, is it communal?

[heronsfly]

Yes,it is communal changing,dont know where the name comes from but it is common (if a bit stupid).

[southeastastra]

i though it was because if you wear flappy attire you could get caught up in the filtering system thingy.

[PadDad]

One of the mothers in my baby's swimming lessons used to wear (as far as I could tell without peering too closely):

Tiny knickers with frills round the edge,
and a thin-straps-T-shirt with nothing on under it.

Bit extreme, I thought, although definitely no flapping attire creating drag in the water!

[Jeffa]

It's to do with the fibres. I'm not sure how exactly, but remember enquiring once. Because swimming costumes are made of a different material, some swimming pools have a cleaning system that only allows tiny fibres through. The ones from shorts and tshirts affect it as they are bigger.

[nappyaddict]

So in France are men only allowed to wear tight speedo type trunks and not the baggy short style ones?

Did you have bikini bottoms on under your shorts?

[pointydog]

apparently so ,nappy

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Yes, Nappyaddict, and also in the French speaking part of Belgium. The Dutch speaking part has no truck with this rule.

And if you are in a "leisure pool" ie one with slides and whatnot in Wallonia, you can wear shorts. I never got that.

[JiminyCricket]

yeah the eurocamp sites do a roaring trade selling speedos to english blokes

[NancysGarden]

Jeffa that's the first sensible/plauible explanation I have heard.

My shorts do not go see-through, they are short-shorts (like hot-pants I suppose, but stripey, you know, not hot) so no drag and I didn't see the need for pants underneath.

[IlanaK]

I have certainly seem muslim women at my local pool in full bodywear. It looks like tshirt material that is long sleeved and long legged AND has a sort of tunic effect on the top. I remember thinking that it must be hard to swim in, but no-one asked them to leave the pool.

[pinkem]

NancysGarden I have worked in leisure centres for the last 12 years and i can tell you that there is no reason what so ever that you cannot wear shorts in a pool!!

If you pop in to the pool during staff training you will probably see them all swimming around in shorts and T shirt!

Please call the manager to talk through the incident, i have seen many lifeguards over the years that are on 'power trips'!!