Hey all! I live in Tacoma, which is in western Washington, and I was wondering if anyone knew of some thing friendly places where I could swim laps in my thong? I think I could get away with it at LA fitness early in the morning, but I’m not sure. Now that summer is over, I’d like to find a place to wear one during the winter months. Thoughts?
I conducted an informal email survey a while back. No one said thongs were allowed. A few places outright forbid them. Responses from the rest ranged from saying it might be considered inappropriate, to advising me to be mindful of other people using the pool, to simply stating that their rules don’t mention specific swimwear styles. Here are examples of each:
While we don’t currently have a detailed dress code listed publicly, our facility does aim to maintain a family-friendly environment for all guests. As such, we ask that swimwear provide reasonable coverage, particularly around the buttocks. Swimwear styles like thongs or other minimal coverage suits may be considered inappropriate in this setting.
—Parks Tacoma
Because we are a public facility used by families and children, we recommend our participants wear bathing attire that is opaque and does not expose private body parts.
—King County
Currently there is no dress code for our patrons who wish to use our facilities.
—Wave Aquatics
My own conclusion was that if the rules don’t explicitly prohibit thongs, it’s not worth asking; doing so could draw unnecessary attention to your attire. If it’s not against the rules and no one complains, staff are unlikely to take issue with what you’re wearing.
That said, it’s obviously not okay to wear thongs at pools that forbid them. I also wouldn’t wear one at a pool whose rules require “family-friendly” attire or prohibit “revealing” swimwear. To me, that clearly reads as no thongs, g-strings, or similar swimsuits. Here are a few pools that specifically forbid thongs:
- (Kirkland) Peter Kirk Pool (“Bathing suits must be family friendly, all thongs and revealing attire will not be permitted within the facility.”)
- Lynnwood Recreation Center (“Also, please no thongs, revealing, or see-through attire.”)
- Snohomish Aquatic Center (“Bathing suits should be full coverage.”)
- (Walla Walla) Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (" Brazil/French-cut, thong style and/or any revealing swim wear is not allowed.")
- (Vancouver) Firstenburg & Marshall Community Center (“Thong-type swimsuits, and suits that become transparent when wet, are prohibited.”)
- Yakima Family YMCA (“Brazil/French-cut, thong style and/or revealing swimwear is not allowed in our facility to maintain our positive, family-centered atmosphere.”)
All of the responses ultimately left room for staff discretion. A manager could decide thongs are inappropriate or, if someone complains, the staff might ask you to change. It seems unlikely, though, that they’d make a big deal about it if you’re polite and technically following the rules. As long as you’re comfortable with that small risk, I’d say check the rules and wear your thong at any pool that doesn’t explicitly forbid them.
Thanks for the info. I’ve worn them at 24 he fitness when I’ve swam before work (4am) and the people that did see didn’t care. I usually wear them to the beach and no one there cares either, but summer is over 
where do you normally go?