Swimming pool chain sparks uproar by BANNING G-string bikinis: ‘If you don’t like it, don’t look’
A council has sparked a backlash by announcing it is banning thongs and G-string swimwear in one of its swimming pools.
Blue Mountains Leisure Centers (BMLC), a division of the Blue Mountains City Council, announced on Monday that thongs and g-string swimwear are ‘not acceptable’ in their facilities.
The change means the trendy swimwear style is now banned at the Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre, Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Blackheath Pool and Glenbrook Swim Centre.
The centre’s entry conditions now state that ‘visitors are encouraged to shower thoroughly before entering the pool and approved swimwear must be worn’.
‘Recognised swimwear does not include G-strings’, the conditions state.
The thong ban came to light after the council was forced to explain what it meant with a sign saying ‘revealing swimwear/things’ were banned.
The council explained on social media: “The image of ‘revealing swimwear/thongs’ has raised some eyebrows, this image refers to thongs and thongs, not bikini tops and bottoms,” the post read.
“Bikinis are acceptable and considered recognized swimwear.”
The Blue Mountains City Council has caused uproar among locals after declaring thong bikinis and thongs are ‘not acceptable’ in local swimming pools (pictured)
A number of locals were baffled by the decision to ban the popular swimwear style.
“Shouldn’t people go to the pool to SWIMM and not worry about what other people are wearing,” said one.
“How about we solve this by putting the responsibility on the person who has feelings about someone else’s clothes, and not on the children wearing them,” said a second local.
“Young people will wear what is fashionable, and this is what is fashionable. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.’
A third urged others to ‘stop worrying or commenting on what other people look like or what they wear’.
“If anyone is so offended by a cheeky G-string bikini, don’t wear one or look at others wearing them,” they wrote.
‘There are a lot of bodies at the pool that I don’t like to look at, they still have every right to be there and wear what they want.
“This policy, in my opinion, is so old fashioned and outdated.”
Locals were left confused by the decision (photo, Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre)
But others said they saw no problem with the ban, adding there is still swimwear they can wear at the pool.
‘I don’t see the problem here. People take this out of context. It’s not like they’re telling you to cover it all up,” one user wrote.
“There are so many children swimming innocently and enjoying themselves, only to see a bunch of butts walking past which I actually find ridiculous,” said another.
“No, we don’t have to look, but kids do and I don’t want them to think it’s all okay, especially when there’s dirt around.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Blue Mountains City Council for comment.