Swimwear Policies and Signage Examples

The Association of Aquatic Professionals would like to thank all who submitted responses to our Call for Swimwear Policies and Signage Examples!  AOAP’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee has reviewed the results and have developed recommendations that will hopefully assist aquatic facility managers and their organizations with developing more inclusive policies and facility signage.  PLEASE NOTE:  These recommendations have been developed by AOAP’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee following our review of the submissions received through our 2023 Call for Swimwear Policies and Signage Examples.  As we continue to learn from each other, we encourage AOAP members to share additional policy and signage recommendations with us!

AOAP Call for Swimwear Policy and Signage Examples.FINAL August 2023 all submittals

        • Examples of swimwear policies we would like to highlight:
          • Portland, Oregon – Swim attire needs to be appropriate, non-see-through, no offensive language, no overexposure or ill-fitting.
          • Skokie Park District – All swimmers must wear clean & appropriate swimwear while in the water. Swimwear refers to any clothing that is designed for use in the water.

Prohibited clothing includes, but is not limited to: street clothes, khakis, gym shorts, basketball shorts, denim, sports bras or other undergarments. Clean t-shirts are permitted for sun protection or modesty while in the pool but are not permitted on the waterslides.  T-shirts and loosely-fitting swimwear may not be worn on the waterslides.

          • Prince George’s County, Maryland – All pool users must wear appropriate swimming attire for a public environment. Revealing and/or see-through attire are prohibited. Swimming attire worn for exercising prior to using the pool is prohibited. Soiled clothing can create an unhealthy swimming environment.

2022 Approved Swimwear Poster.Prince Georges County MD

        • Examples of swimwear signage we would like to highlight:

 

        • Committee recommendations for inclusive swimwear policies and language:
            • Policy language used on facility signage should be kept simple.
              • Managers are encouraged to start with language or images of acceptable, approved, or appropriate swimwear versus highlighting unacceptable, unapproved, or inappropriate language and or images.
              • Policies and signage should emphasize what patrons/swimmers “can do” and/or “what is appropriate” guidance versus starting with “can’t”, “don’t”, and “inappropriate” guidance. The goal should be to promote a welcoming aquatic environment.
              • The use of bi-lingual or multi-language policy documents and signage appropriate for your community is recommended.
            • The use of images to describe appropriate and inappropriate swimwear is encouraged.
              • This is especially helpful if patrons/swimmers have reading challenges (i.e. unable to read, disability, language barrier).
            • The use of “full coverage or modesty” swimwear is recommended instead of “religious” swimwear in policy and/or signage language.
              • The reason a patron/swimmer elects to wear full-coverage swimwear is irrelevant and including this reference in policy or signage language as a ‘religious’ requirement/choice may not be perceived as inclusive.
              • We recommend limiting the use of “tight-fitting” to describe swimwear as this may not be appropriate for more conservative cultures and/or for all body types (although, tight-fitting is mentioned in one of our highlighted examples of swimwear signage, the rest of the imagery and language used in this sign is appropriate).
            • Where possible, avoid including language that describes what is or is not appropriate swimwear based on gender.
            • Utilizing images of appropriate or inappropriate swimwear instead of utilizing images of a person wearing the swimwear in signage is recommended.
            • When describing the requirement for swim diapers, this is not just for infants but can be used by various ages. Policy and signage language that does not specify an appropriate age is recommended.
            • Ensuring legibility of facility signage is important (i.e. font, size, use of color to articulate acceptable/not acceptable or appropriate/not appropriate for patrons who may be colorblind)

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