An Australian swim club has reportedly banned nudity in changing rooms, and multiple women are apparently upset with the new policy.
Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club in New South Wales informed club members that those wishing to change in dressing rooms must do so “modestly” or risk violating the club’s “family-friendly” policy, 7News Australia reported Thursday. Members have been advised to “shower in your swimming costume and change with your towel around you,” according to CNN.
Terrigal SLSC, NSW Central Coast, sends swimmer letter about ‘no nudity’ policy https://t.co/9ogm5X72BX
— Daily Mail Australia (@DailyMailAU) March 30, 2023
Violators of the new club rule “will be called before the club’s disciplinary committee,” according to 9News Australia.
Swimmer Nada Pantle claimed she recently received a letter from the club warning her that she had breached the club’s nudity policy, according to CNN.
“The board has advised its members that the club is a family-friendly environment and that nudity is not acceptable as per the Child Safe Policy,” the letter reads, according to 7News. “It is your responsibility to follow the rules … should you continue to ignore the rules, you will be subject to disciplinary action and/or including termination of your membership.”
“I was so anxious about someone seeing something and giving a child post traumatic stress disorder, I handed my resignation,” Pantle told 7News.
“I think it’s appalling, I think it’s a backwards step and I think it’s bad for young women,” club member Wendy Farley told 9News. “I know that some surf clubs have a separate section for nippers, and they’re larger change rooms. If our club can come up with a solution like that, I’m all for it.”
The new policy was reportedly implemented to reinforce child safety. (RELATED: Minnesota Police Use Drones To Catch Nudists On Beach)
“Here at Terrigal there’s been numerous times that things have been raised from young people saying they’re uncomfortable around nudity in the change rooms,” Surf Life Saving Central Coast CEO Jon Harkness said, according to 9News.
“Terrigal have merely asked people to wear their swimmers when showering and be discreet using a towel when you actually do need to get changed,” the CEO told 7News.