# High schools, YMCAs, and nude swimming **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 10, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807 "2006-11-10T02:14:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/249 "2011-04-25T16:27:32Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/58): > > This topic floated back up to the surface again? Wowzers. Apparently, there was no lifeguard on duty. ---
**Author:** ![SimonMoon5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@SimonMoon5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SimonMoon5)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/250 "2011-04-25T17:06:28Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/2): > > At one time it was common for YMCAs, schools, and colleges to require males to swim nude unless women were present. What/when was the last YMCA to require it? From what I gathered from a yahoo group related to this subject, the YMCA in Birmingham, Alabama was the last YMCA to have nude male swimming being required/allowed. I know it was still occurring during the early 1970s, as I was brought there as a child by a father figure and found the nudity to be quite unexpected. I don’t think it lasted much after that (and not because of me, in case you’re wondering). ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/251 "2011-04-25T17:23:46Z")
Interesting thread. I started swimming at the Y in the early 70’s, in Green Bay Wisconsin. The Y was fully coed at that point and we always wore swim suits, and I don’t recall hearing it was ever otherwise, but who knows? There was no such thing as boys’ swim times and girls’ swim times. The pool hours were divided up among swim team practice hours, swimming lesson hours, and open swims. I think they had “adult swim” periods, when little kids weren’t allowed. I do remember when we first started using the pool we were required to shower first and they would station a couple of the older boys at the entrance to the pool, right off the shower area. They’d grab your forearm and rub it to see it any dirt came off. If any did, you had to go back to the showers and scrub yourself some more 'til you could pass the dirt test. Personally, it seems intuitive you’d take your clothes off before getting in water. YWCAs were all crap and no one used them for much of anything except old ladies sitting around drinking tea or something. ---
**Author:** ![rwhite1066](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@rwhite1066](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwhite1066)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/252 "2011-10-31T04:53:58Z")
Attitudes have changed about nudity. This may not be correct but, I understand, when YMCAs first came about clorine was not used to keep pool water clean. Also, detergent had not been developed. Swimming suits washed in soap of that era were not germ free and therefore could polute the water. Hence no swimming suites, only clean bodies. I never thought swimming nude an issue. Body parts are body parts. Generally speaking, all men have the same body parts. Furthermore, (I am sorry ladies) but ladies got involved with the YMCAs and they have stiffer attidudes about nudity. Today’s youth have very conservative attitudes about nudity. Please remember that the ancient Greek olympics participants were nude. The human body was though to be beautiful and not to be hiden. ---
**Author:** ![rwhite1066](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@rwhite1066](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwhite1066)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/253 "2011-10-31T04:57:33Z")
I visited eastern Europe in the 1960’s. Males swam nude in Russia, Poland, Hungary, etc. It was not a sexual thing. It was differnet attitude then. ---
**Author:** ![rwhite1066](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@rwhite1066](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwhite1066)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/254 "2011-10-31T05:00:24Z")
Today the University of Califronia at San Diego (UCSD) swims nude at Blacks Beach [http://blacksbeach.org/](http://blacksbeach.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/255 "2011-10-31T13:17:06Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/62): > > Please remember that the ancient Greek olympics participants were nude. And weren’t women banned from attending? ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/256 "2011-10-31T16:21:17Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/53): > > Another theory was that since the girls always wore swim suits, that nude swimming was supposed to be a preparation for men for the military since the draft was in effect until the early 1970’s about the time co ed swimming started to become more common. The most recent conscription in Canada began and ended with the Second World War. In the '50s I was forced ito learn to swim while nude at the main YMCA in Winnipeg, though there were swimming classes at the public pool at the end of my block and two streets over. So IMO the U.S. draft theory doesn’t hold much water. I hated it. It was like having nightmares of being naked in public, week after week. After a year or so I refused point-blank to go back. The naivety of the '50s — and of my parents — astounds me when I think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/257 "2011-10-31T19:11:44Z")
Just thought you’d like to know I’m posting in the nude right now. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/258 "2011-10-31T20:51:29Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/67): > > Just thought you’d like to know I’m posting in the nude right now. “Pictures or it didn’t happen!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/259 "2011-11-01T03:33:37Z")
Oops, too late! I’m dressed now. ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/260 "2011-11-01T23:16:22Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/67): > > Just thought you’d like to know I’m posting in the nude right now. Terry Jones, is that you ? ---
**Author:** ![Astral\_Rejection](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/261 "2011-11-01T23:28:00Z")
Is this the most-resurrected thread of all time? I counted six, but I might have missed one. … sorry for the hijack 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/262 "2011-11-01T23:28:57Z")
This thread just won’t sink, will it? The comments earlier about gym teachers of dubious proclivities reminds me of ours. No pool, but we had to shower after PE or games, and one teacher was very keen on making sure we were clean and dry. Ah, “Bummer” Barnett, may you rest in peace wherever you are. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/263 "2011-11-02T23:19:48Z")
Hey, the thread is about nudity, what’s not to like? This won’t be the last time it’ll be resurrected, I’ll bet you that right now. If it is, I’ll remove all my clothes, how 'bout that?? ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/264 "2011-11-03T16:23:06Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/73): > > Hey, the thread is about nudity, what’s not to like? Watch out. It’s about **children** _forced_ to be in the nude in public. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/265 "2011-11-03T19:56:19Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/74): > > Watch out. It’s about **children** _forced_ to be in the nude in public. Big deal. “In public” in this context is no more public than a lockerroom. It’s not like nude boys & clothed girls were mixed in the class, or the boys had female teachers, or it was some kind of public swimming contest with everybody’s mothers & sisters in the audience. ---
**Author:** ![Bradvsfw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58f4c7/32.png) [@Bradvsfw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bradvsfw)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/266 "2012-08-02T00:57:26Z")
The challenge a lot of people have believing that it was indeed mandatory for all boys to participate in swim classes completely naked whereas girls were always clothed is based upon their frame of reference, that is, they are seeing it from the current hyper politically-correct standards and culture of these times. But if they trace the originals back to the 1900s and before, it is clear much of the swimming and rivers, lakes and even public beaches were done in the nude by men, although women were almost always clothed. In fact, there is historical evidence in far as photographs and rare historical film archives that evidence that in many places around the world, not only did boys swim and “sea-bathe” completely naked, but often in a very public situation and in the immediate presence of girls their age (although the girls were always clothed). Rather than cite the historic archival evidence, simply go to this site where it is all laid out: > **[Historic Archives - Nude Male Swimming](https://sites.google.com/site/historicarchives4maleswimming/home)** > > As the world's societies transform into the 21st century, all too often our understanding of our history is based upon our current culture and attitudes as opposed to actual historic documentation and knowledge obtained through extensive research. ... ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/267 "2012-08-02T01:43:06Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/76): > > …In fact, there is historical evidence in far as photographs and rare historical film archives that evidence that in many places around the world, not only did boys swim and “sea-bathe” completely naked, but often in a very public situation and in the immediate presence of girls their age (although the girls were always clothed). > > Rather than cite the historic archival evidence, simply go to this site where it is all laid out: > > [Historic Archives - Nude Male Swimming](https://sites.google.com/site/historicarchives4maleswimming/home) Amazing. I had no idea. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807/268 "2012-08-02T01:58:01Z")
> [@On another topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1012024/5): > > ?? Can someone explain why the requirement was deemed necessary? > [@Crotalus](#): > > I graduated from a Catholic high school for boys in Maryland in 1972. We had to swim nude as part of gym class, Pullet I think we have an answer… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-ymcas-and-nude-swimming/379807.md?page=5)