Exposed: The proposed policy that clarifies what's appropriate swimwear at Vancouver's public pools

The Vancouver Park Board is set to vote on a city staff report aimed at tackling inappropriate swimwear at public pools by defining what can and cannot be worn.

The report follows concern from staff at the city's aquatic centres who have asked for a clear policy to help them navigate situations where patrons have, according to the report, "presented in attire that has had cause for attention, due to various levels of tolerance by both staff and members of the public as to what is acceptable attire for swimming in public aquatic facilities."

City staff say the policy will address safety concerns about swimming outfits that present a risk, adding that swimwear should allow the body to move freely, should not impede buoyancy and should not increase the safety risk to the swimmer or a lifeguard.

In the report, appropriate swimming attire is listed as:

• bathing suit;
• swim trunks or board shorts; 
• T-shirts and shorts; 
• burkini;
• swim hijab, leggings and tunic; 
• rash guard; 
• and wet suit.

Unacceptable attire, according to the report, includes items designed for sexual or intimate purposes, clothing that absorbs water and becomes heavy, like jeans and sweatpants, and long, flowing fabrics. Swimwear must also fully cover the genitals, the report says.

It defines appropriate swimwear as "what other Canadians find as an acceptable level of tolerance in a family public swimming environment." 

Bare breasts 'excessive' at pools: commissioner

The park board will discuss and vote on the report on April 24.

Commissioner Tom Digby says he's leaning toward voting in favour of the policy.

"It's a complex question of social equity in the city," he said. 

"Because for every person who wants to wear a string bikini, there could be 10 families from some conservative community… that won't go to the swimming pool because they're afraid of confronting a string bikini in the change room, which is a very reasonable concern."

Digby said the city is trying to create an environment that is welcoming to all families.

"There's a lot of communities [that] have fairly conservative standards. There are many cultures here that won't tolerate a lot of exposure," he said.

Despite a B.C. Supreme Court decision in 2000 that backed women's right to bare their breasts in public, Digby believes it would be "excessive" in a pool setting, even though the 2000 decision involved a woman who had shown up topless to a city-run pool. The bylaw charge against her was dismissed following the ruling.

The city of Edmonton amended its topless policy in February, clarifying that all patrons are allowed to swim and lounge at the city's pools without a top on, regardless of their gender identity.

'A challenge to enforce'

In Vancouver, residents like Brianne Boehm said the move toward a pool dress code could backfire.

"I would be worried that these kinds of policies might discriminate against people that are generally discriminated against, such as people in larger bodies or people of colour or trans individuals, for example." 

Others, like Andre Wong, said a swimwear policy would be hard to police.

"I think there's going to be a wide variety of people that want to be a little more conservative or a little bit more liberal with what they want to wear and I think it's going to be a challenge to enforce that," he said.