The Seattle P-I this week writes about a certain issue of exposure at the Ballard Pool. For the past few months a group known as the Body Freedom Collaborative has met at the facility to swim, sans clothing. All was well until the city decided to uncover something of its own. Apparently, previously undisclosed pool rules require nude swims to be supervised by lifeguards that are at least 21 years old. While the group used lifeguards that were at least 18, 21-year-old lifeguards are hard to come by. Most move on to college, or new careers. So the swims have to stop. Mary, a commenter on MyBallard.com says: "So the lifeguards must be 21 or over - but they can buy porn at 18? What am I missing here?"
I had no idea the Ballard pool was allowing nude swimming. I know that swimsuits don't cover much and the water is heavily chlorinated, but just the thought of swimming where a naked stranger was swimming just an hour or two earlier...ick. Well, I guess I won't be swimming at the Ballard pool anymore!
I suppose I can understand Kay's position. However, I would not dilude myself into thinking that swimsuits offer some sort of 'ick' barrier. It astounds me that people STILL have such deeply engrained fears and insecurities about ourselves, and each other. Microbes are heavily present on/in our bodies and environment and given the major pressures we, and particualry our kids, face in world today, naked swimming doesn't feel very offensive. To be secure enough with ones own body to rid it of the binding spandex -yeehaw! The more I think on it, the more I feel the naked swimmers are onto something good.
the clothing or bathing suits just cover the nakedness, the body parts are still exposed so i do not understand the ick
Anything the body produces will still get be exposed covered or not
I came into the world nude, and no one said ick
Some of us are more modest. Some feel their bodies are meant to be shared with someone important, not to be flaunt for all to see. I take pride in my body, I work out. I try to be careful about what I eat. But my body is mine, not for all to see. And quite frankly, I don't care how great your body is, I don't want to see your private parts unless we are in a private and serious relationship!