Aussie model hits out at swimming pool's 'concerning' bikini rule: 'Shame'

An Aussie model has spoken out about the recent decision of several public pools in the Blue Mountains to ban g-string swimwear, noting that the issue often stems from the tendency to unnecessarily sexualise people's bodies. Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Jess King said that energy would be better spent educating people about more important topics, such as sun safety, rather than trying to police personal choices.

"I believe that the recent ruling banning G-string bikinis raises concerns about its implications for how society views bodies, particularly women’s," Jess says. "Such a ban implies that the human body—specifically the bum, (which we all have!!)—is inherently inappropriate or sexualised, reinforcing shame rather than promoting acceptance."

Jess is one of many people speaking up about the issue after it was revealed that Blue Mountains Leisure Centres - which incorporates Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre, Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Blackheath Pool and Glenbrook Swim Centre - had banned patrons wearing "revealing swimwear" such as g-strings while "bikinis are acceptable and considered recognised swimwear."

Outrage over g-string bans at public pools

"G-string bikinis are far from a new trend, having been around since at least the 1970s," Jess tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "I feel like the discomfort some people feel towards this style often stems from a tendency to unnecessarily sexualise strangers’ bodies rather than the swimwear itself. The issue isn’t the cut of the bikini; it’s the attitude towards bodies that needs to change."

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The Project host Sarah Harris also weighed in on the debate, telling viewers that while she, personally, wouldn't wear a g-string, she had no qualms if others did in a public setting.

"A lot of the comments have been 'what will the kids think?'" she said. "I spend a lot of time at the beach with my kids, they're not looking."

"I just don't care," her co-host Georgie Tunney added. "I don't care what people are wearing, if they feel confident enough to wear that then I'm all happy for them to do it, I wish I was one of you, but alas."

Jess agrees, telling us, "Swimwear choices should be personal, based on comfort and practicality, as long as they pose no safety concerns to the wearer or those around them. For many, G-strings even offer a practical advantage by avoiding the need for constant adjustments while swimming."

Can swimwear bans be enforced fairly?

The Aussie model and body positivity advocate also points out another problem that stems from trying to impose these types of rules.

"Enforcing such a rule fairly is another challenge," she says. "Who decides how much coverage is 'enough'? Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and certain styles may reveal more or less depending on the individual. For someone with a curvier figure, even full-coverage swimwear might still show some skin."

As she notes, "These conversations often disproportionately focus on women and femme fashion trends, whilst similar discussions about men’s swimwear, like budgie smugglers, are notably absent."

This sentiment was echoed by several people who replied to a post on the Blue Mountains Leisure Centres' Facebook page, in which it clarified that "thongs and g-string swimwear is not acceptable for males or females."

"Why are we (women) not allowed to dress and feel confident in public while there’s men roaming around unbothered in Budgie Smugglers more exposed than girls ever are?" one person asked.

"Y’all best be banning old men in Budgie Smugglers too… they’re more exposed than any girl that goes to the pool…. it’s gross," someone else added.

"Budgie smugglers - ban them too as well make it fair, no male is wearing g-string swimmers," another wrote.

Swimwear debate taking away from bigger issues

Aside from being controversial, Jess also thinks that the rules around swimwear - and what constitutes an appropriate version of it - are taking attention away from bigger concerns.

"Instead of imposing restrictive rules, our efforts would be better spent educating people about body confidence and fostering a culture where bodies are seen as natural and diverse, not sources of shame," she says. "The focus should be on empowering individuals to dress and express themselves as they see fit, rather than policing personal choices."

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"In the grand scheme of things, the G-string bikini is hardly a pressing issue," she continues. "If anything, we should be more concerned with sun safety and the current obsession amongst young people with tan lines and ignoring skin cancer warnings."

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