Vancouver Park Board votes in favour of an ‘appropriate’ swimwear policy

The Vancouver Park Board has voted in favour of a policy that determines what is considered “appropriate” and “unacceptable” swimwear.

The Attire for Swimming in Aquatic Facilities policy is set to live as a pilot program for a year, before being brought back to commissioners with findings for potential adjustments.

The board says aquatic services staff have raised concerns about swim attire and called for a policy to better enforce what can and cannot be worn when swimming.

The policy lists appropriate attire as “attire designed for swimming,” such as bathing suits and swim trunks.

While items designed for sexual and or intimate purposes, jeans or sweatpants are considered “unacceptable”.

Related articles:

• Vancouver Park Board looks to clarify appropriate swimwear

• What is okay to wear at Vancouver pools? Park board to vote on policy

At the board’s Monday meeting, a person who identifies as transgender said they are worried the policy will negatively impact gender diverse and Indigenous populations.

They noted there are pools in Vancouver they are not able to swim at because they identify as transgender.

The person said they had been “harassed in pools before” over their gender, by pool patrons and lifeguards alike.

The policy notes that in enforcing the rules, a staff member “must conduct themselves with decorum and with proper attention to the city’s diversity,” treating the public respectfully “at all times.”

The policy lists appropriate attire as swimsuits, T-shirts, shorts, and more, while clothing that absorbs water, such as jeans or sweatpants, and items designed for sexual/intimate purposes are considered “unacceptable.”

It notes what is considered “appropriate” is “defined as what other Canadians find as an acceptable level of tolerance in a family public swimming environment that includes maintaining full and appropriate coverage of genitals.”