Geneva have voted new swimsuit rules for pools, basically to ban the burkini. Now swimsuits have to be above the knee and leave arms free.
What an absolutely terrible idea. Apart from the fact that it actually will end up putting more restrictions on Muslim women, as they will end up not going in the water at all - if a Muslim woman/teen isn’t wearing a standard swimsuit already, they are not going to. All women should have the chance to do sport. It also has unforeseen consequences. For example (I don’t live in Geneva, but) in summer I swim in a cold outdoor pool for 1.5-2 hours. I really suffer from the cold, so I often wear a full or short wetsuit for my swim workouts to prevent hypothermia - well that’s not allowed now in Geneva. People will also not be allowed to wear a rash vest to prevent sunburn.
In many pools I’ve gone to, you’re not allowed to wear even swimming shorts, only swimming trunks, so I’d be flabbergasted to imagine they would allow burkinis!
Burkinis are made out of the same fabric as swimming costumes and don’t shed fibres, and lose tie-cords or pocket liners like swim shorts can do. This apparently messes up the filters.
I don’t think that wearing shorts-style swimmers is forbidden in the badis either.
That could make sense. I never understood why swimming shorts were banned for ‘hygiene’ reasons whereas one piece swimsuits were allowed which had even more material.
I can understand a rule specifying the fabric used in a swimsuit, to avoid shedding and people going in in non-swimwear - but not what length it can be.
Geneva’s parliament has voted to ban the burkini in public swimming pools, ending months of heated debate.
Lawmakers approved new rules defining only one or two-piece swimsuits above the knee and with bare arms as permitted.
The measure passed 53 to 38, with six abstentions.
Supporters argue pools must remain spaces free from coercion, while opponents call the ban discriminatory and an attack on personal freedom.
The State Council warns the law could face legal challenges, meaning the controversy is far from over.
I agree that women should not be coerced into wearing clothing they would prefer not to. Although I’m not convinced the solution will achieve that goal. Rather than being able to wear what they want they will be coerced into not going.
This applies only to public pools, not private or commercial (hotels).
The actual ban is for street clothing. They want you to change into a swimsuit that hasn’t been exposed to various contaminants on public transport seats, park benches, grassy areas where dogs are allowed to roam.
Interesting, didn’t know that, something to do with muscular compression. But then it seems to me those tech suits stop over the knee, as it would probably disturb knee movement:
Before I visited a water park in the Romandie I didn’t know that a man could be allowed into the indoor water park in the leggings, shorts, long sleeve shirt and swimming socks. His wife was also covered from head to toes in several layers. I wonder if they changed the clothing before going to the pool or came from home like that.
Define official swimwear. I have a pair of shorts, with pockets, belt loops, cuffs and an internal tag saying “approved for swimming”. Doesn’t mention who approved it though. They would only be appropriate for swimming if they are laundered and not worn before the pool’s changing room. And how do you check that?
And yes I have Speedo type Swim ware.
Question: Why are speedos like the White House?
Answer: No ballroom.
Normal bathing shorts that man and boys wear at the beach are a swimwear but you can wear them everywhere. There are even pockets for money, smartphone etc. While a knee-long swimming suit like on the picture obviously cannot be used as a streetwear.
I don’t understand, but that is probably because of my English. Speedo is a branch, isn’t it? Official swimwear is different in every country or even in every pool I think.
In most Kantons here it is kind of like a bar or restaurant: if the boss doesn’t like what you do he doesn’t have to let you in or can throw you out anytime. My family did run a public pool in my youth, I only remember throwing out one person and it was for littering, the worst felony one can commit in Switzerland!
Our local indoor pool will only allow the stretchy lycra style swimsuits for both men and women. No restrictions on length, though. The bathing area down at the lake will allow anything other than parading around in the buff.
The French court has ruled against burkini swimwear, arguing that wearing it in public pools for religious reasons violates the principle of government neutrality towards religion.
