Just read here that men must wear Speedo-type suits at swimming pools. Why not boxer-style? What about 10-yr olds?? And I assume flip-flops are needed, too?
Many thanks.

Where are you talking about? And where did you read it?

I have been to pools in 6 different countries in Europe always worn swim trunks, not a speedo. It is common for men to wear speedos, although I've noticed that younger men and boys are wearing them less then older men lately.

Yes, some do. For example, the big swimming pool in the Woluwe St. Pierre commune in Brussels absolutely requires Speedo type suits for all male swimmers, even boys younger than 10. The pools at some (not all, thankfully) health clubs have similar rules.

If you have a specific pool in mind, check its rules.

Why would boys under 10 be less likely or less inclined to wear speedos? They, rather than older men, seem the cohort best suited to wear them!

Speedos didn't exist when I was 10 but we boys -- and most everyone else under age 40 -- wore fairly abbreviated swimsuits then (of a thick, ugly, satiny fabric). None of us was scarred by the experience.

There are many European men who wear speedos and shouldn't. OTOH, the NA style, super-long and super-baggy quasi-trousers ALSO look terrible on many people. And on 10 year olds they merely look comical. Like a clown's baggy pants.

RE what Belgian pools require: When I was a 10 year-old (and I'm talking 1960s here) I was sent to take swimming lessons at the YMCA, here in Canada's capital. The Y in those days prohibited ALL bathing suits in its pool.

Yes, we had to take our swimming classes naked. I even remember the instructor peeling off his suit before he could dive into the pool. I would have been VERY glad of a speedo, I can assure you!

Poster guy for why NOT to wear a speedo

http://tinyurl.com/ytfpjz

Yes it is required in Paris in swimming pools.

laartista: Very funny photo!

However:

Would wearing baggy surfer trunks make him MORE attractive to you???

"Unsightly quads and kneecaps" is not his MAIN problem, surely.

Please, forgive my ignorance, but can someone explain the rationale for requiring men/boys to wear Speedos?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/ma...nny_humor.html

LMAO- No! But it would make him easier to look at for more than a second without my eyes burning.

OMG- Cig that is freakin hysterical! Thanks for the chuckle.

laartista, that picture is too much LOL. Interesting article Cigale.

Tedgale, I'd be concerned about what type of men were running the Y back in the 1960s. They wouldn't get away with it today.

As for Speedos, in Australia they are referred to as "budgie smugglers". Is that a term used in other countries??

If you're unfamiliar with a budgie..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budgerigar

I think one of the reasons for such rules is to prevent people from wearing cargo shorts or other regular clothing as swim trunks.

Oh Speckles
I am unfamiliar with the term ' budgie smugglers' here in Canada, but I have had a couple of budgies over the years. Your post makes me want to call the rcspca

ROTFLMAO about the "Budgie Smuggler" image that Speckles threw into the conversation. At least he didn't throw in any derogatory asides about "canary smuggler" males from other non-Australian countries.

Speckles is absolutely correc that men's lycra swimmers are referred to as budgie smugglers. I'm fascinated to see that everyone on this post has referred to "Speedo" which is a brand of swimmers. What a great example of successful branding of a product. Can't help with Susanh's original question though. (Would ad a smiley face here but I can't remember how to do that!!)

Speedos a requirement? Who knew!

Here all this time I just figured that hairy, big bellied men who insist on squeezing their cheeks into teenie weenie drawers were just suffering from poor taste.

We had this issue at aquaventure in Paris, the indoor water park. For my son , then 10, we found bike short style bathing trunks at Decathalon, the equivelent of Modells or Sports Authority. These were fine.