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When I was a pupil in the elementary grades (late 1950's). our local YMCA used to offer free learn-to-swim classes. Those who signed up were advised to bring a towel and soap, but no mention was made of a swimsuit. And those who did show up were quickly advised that nudity was the common practice, as it was for the Saturday-morning open swims. The custom also prevailed at some local high schools and colleges.
During the Sixties, as suits got smaller and lighter, and women raised a call for equal access under Title IX, and nylon and Lycra suits replaced the woolen and cotton variety (which tended to shed fibers, which clogged up the pools' filter systems), the practice died out: a sign was displayed in the men's locker room advising members that suits were now mandatory, single-sex classes notwithstanding.
But I travelled extensively during those years, and occasionally I'd encounter a 'Y' where nude swimming was still permitted -- usually because an older pool was situated in the same room as the "open" showers. Construction of newer facilities eventually brought an end to the practice -- I recall the Hamilton, Ontario YMCA as the last to go.
As mentioned in an earlier post, a noticeable physical deformity caused me to endure my share of locker-room bullying, but I learned during that same period that most other guys were friendly and supportive, and as most men know, a bond, which has nothing to do with sexuality, tends to form among teammates, fraternity brothers, and others who encounter each other without clothing regularly.
And complete nudity is more sensual than sexual; there is no feeling quite the same as gliding through deep water with nothing clinging to one's body.
Last edited by 2nd trick op; 07-20-2023 at 04:15 PM..
Lol. I don't even like that people have to shower in front of everybody at the Y.
I don’t think that’s even most Y’s anymore. The branches here seem to all have private stalls, as does my (non-Y) gym which is a free community thing. The one where I lived in Texas closed down many years ago and it was still public showers, and it’s still the only place with public showers I’ve ever been in.
I don’t think that’s even most Y’s anymore. The branches here seem to all have private stalls, as does my (non-Y) gym which is a free community thing. The one where I lived in Texas closed down many years ago and it was still public showers, and it’s still the only place with public showers I’ve ever been in.
I'm glad they are putting in private stalls at the newer ones. I know of a few places that still have the full view. Including the free pool places they open for the summer.
I doubt it was ever a nudie place where I live (deep south). I'll ask my brother. But maybe that's why some YMCAs became hangouts for gay men. I don't say that as a slam. There was one in Dallas that was raided periodically, and they had men go in to pretend to be members, when in fact they were the law or whatever, as sting operations. A coworker was arrested for ludeness or something. He'd go to the Y during his lunch hour. Steam bath and all that. That was maybe 20 yrs ago.
The Y where I now live closed years ago. Don't know why.
During the Sixties, as suits got smaller and lighter, and women raised a call for equal access under Title IX, and nylon and Lycra suits replaced the woolen and cotton variety (which tended to shed fibers, which clogged up the pools' filter systems)
For a lot of guys back then, I bet a swimsuit was just a pair of cut-off jeans. Talk about strings clogging up the filters!
Rather than mandate poor people spend money on something as frivolous and single-use as a swimsuit, it may have been more egalitarian for everyone can go nude.
Though, the whole concept still boggles my mind.
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