When summer temperatures rise, many people naturally head to the pool for refreshment. For swimmers this is leisure, but for pool supervisors it means enforcing internal regulations, particularly around dress codes. Several supervisors would like to see a clear legal framework from the government instead of relying on recommendations.
Looking at the internal regulations of different pools around the country quickly shows that there is no common standard. Should swimming caps be mandatory or not? Are Bermuda shorts allowed? How long can swimwear be, or how much should it cover?
There are recommendations from the Ministry of Health but, ultimately, each pool sets its own rules together with its local commune.
Jang Wagner, administrative manager of Bains du Parc in Esch, explains that every commune does it the way they see fit. “Some communes say they only accept short swimming trunks, we are a bit more flexible, but in the end each commune sets rules as it wants.”
Pools already place strong emphasis on hygiene and safety. For instance, swimwear should not be worn outside beforehand and must not be combined with underwear.
The type of fabric is also important, Esch pool supervisor Andy Schrank notes, because Lycra hardly absorbs water, while cotton soaks up a lot. “That means more water gets carried into the changing rooms. The idea is to have as little fabric as possible on the body, to avoid bringing dirt into the pool and to prevent carrying too much water outside afterwards.”
Some pool supervisors feel abandoned by national politics and would prefer clear, nationwide rules that apply to everyone. Such regulations would also benefit customers, as it might clear up some confusion.
