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MedgarEvers.jpg
Beginning in March, 2013, Seattle Parks and Recreation will host women-only swimming several city pools for those who can't swim with the general public for religious or cultural reasons. (Medgar Evars Pool photo courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation)

Seattle will offer women-only swimming programs

December 19, 2012 @ 8:34 pm (Updated: 7:18 am - 12/20/12 )

Seattle plans to offer single-gender swimming opportunities at four of its city pools.

The program will serve girls and women who cannot swim in a co-ed environment because of cultural, religious or personal reasons.

Swimming in a public pool is forbidden for Muslims, Orthodox Jews, and some East African women.

It is considered immodest to see men without their chests covered and to be seen swimming unless the woman is wearing a full-body swimsuit known as the "burkini."

Beginning in March, 2013, Seattle Parks and Recreation will host women-only swimming at Meadowbrook, Medgar Evers and Southwest pools. The program will also be extended to Rainier Beach Pool when it re-opens in fall 2013.

Single-gender swim participants will pay standard public attendance fees, according to the Mayor's office.

The program will be held at times when the pools have the traditionally lowest usage.

Staff will cover the windows during the swim, and only female lifeguards will be employed.

Seattle Parks and Recreation has offered single-gender swimming at three public pools for the past decade, but that was through private rentals paid for with grants.

Outside funding of the rentals has been unreliable, so the city decided to create its own program.

Earlier this year Seattle's public pools were in the news after breast cancer survivor, who wanted to swim topless after her double mastectomy, was told she couldn't.

Parks officials initially told Jodi Jaecks she couldn't swim topless. She wanted to swim laps but said tops were uncomfortable to wear because of scars from her surgery.

The city later relented after media organizations exposed the story, and now has more inclusive guidelines for Seattle's public pools.

By LINDA THOMAS

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Comments (35)


  • Add A Comment

  • deltta wrote...
    Those are
    December 20, 2012 11:05 am
    Pools to pee in
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HawksIN wrote...
    Let's be honest
    December 20, 2012 11:18 am
    Separation of church/state really boils down to separation of Christianity and state. Other religions can do whatever they want.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lillyrose125 wrote...
    Unfrigginbelievable
    December 20, 2012 12:09 pm
    Let these religions build their own swimming pool then! My tax dollars better not be paying for this ridiculous idea.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    This is the perfect topic
    December 20, 2012 12:25 pm
    for the 'Tiny Penis Frustrated White Guy Club' that exists to post bitter comments on this site. Everyone present and correct?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    i plan to sneak in
    December 20, 2012 12:43 pm
    how hard can it really be to hide my junk if i'm wearing a burkini? or will there be a designated junk checker at the front door?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    how hard can it really be to hide my junk if i'm wearing a burkini? . . . .
    December 20, 2012 4:03 pm
    1 inch not hard when its hard.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    @ Artimus
    December 20, 2012 10:11 pm
    If the acorn penis guys want to pay for their own private pool and then swim with each other who am I to complain? I'd just warn them to look out for Scrat. These are public pools, though. If Augusta can let in women, then surely the Seattle PUBLIC pools should get with the program. All people have the right to swim in other people's pee in a public pool.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }