Amy-Lee Fox was told her swimming outfit was inappropriate by a lifeguard at the YMCA Lagoon Pool and Leisure in Panmure. Photo / Nick Reed
Amy-Lee Fox was told her swimming outfit was inappropriate by a lifeguard at the YMCA Lagoon Pool and Leisure in Panmure. Photo / Nick Reed
A pregnant woman says she felt ashamed and on the verge of tears after being told she was wearing "inappropriate" swimwear at a public swimming pool.
Amy-Lee Fox was wearing a tight-fitting black singlet over a bikini top and swimming shorts at YMCA Lagoon Pools and Leisure Centre in Panmure on Saturday while with her husband and 10 and 7-year-old daughters.
Fox, who is 30 weeks pregnant, claims she was walking the length of the indoor swimming pool when a lifeguard called out to her.
"And that's when he pulled me aside, a 15-year-old boy, and said 'You can't wear that top, you've either got to take it off or get out - it's not appropriate'."
Fox, who was standing with her husband and daughters, said she was gobsmacked.
"I said I'm not taking it off because my bikini top just covers my boobs and I'm fully pregnant and I'm embarrassed. I just walked off and he just stood there looking at me. I didn't know what to do so we got out."
A spokesman for YMCA Auckland, which runs the facility on behalf of Auckland Council, said they had strict criteria about what to wear in all their pools for health and safety reasons.
He said the lifeguard approached Fox because she was wearing a cotton singlet, which was a breach of the policy. It had nothing to do with her being pregnant, the spokesman said.
But Fox said she felt she had met the complex's criteria about what could be worn as she had worn it to other public pools before and thought it was actually a Lycra/nylon blend.
And she claimed other swimmers, including her daughter, were wearing tankinis, or T-shirts and one woman was having a spa in her nightie.
She said the lifeguard was not specific about what was inappropriate and she had thought it was because her singlet had risen up to her belly button and was showing her stomach.
Amy-Lee Fox with the swimming outfit she was wearing. Photo / Nick Reed
Fox said she felt like bursting into tears because the lifeguard had shouted it out across the pool so other swimmers including those participating in swimming lessons heard.
"Everyone looked at me in the pool too and I didn't know what to say. And I was like 'I'm sorry, this is all I've got right now because I couldn't afford a one-piece maternity togs for two more months'.
"I was embarrassed. It felt like crap. I wanted to cry, but that's why I went off."
Fox called to complain to a manager on Monday who, she said, told her they had a strict dress code and that the lifeguard would be given training on how to approach patrons.
It was Fox's first time at the swimming pool complex and she said it would also be her last.
YMCA Auckland marketing manager Russell Berg said any person who was not complying with the council's acceptable swimwear policy would be discreetly asked to change their attire.
"In an occurrence over the weekend, YMCA lifeguards offered the use of a rash vest and chose not to escalate the situation when the offer of a rash shirt was declined."
Auckland Council head of active recreation Rob McGee said the rule only allowing swimwear made from Lycra or nylon to be worn in pools was for hygiene and safety purposes and applied to all pool users.
"Only swimwear made from Lycra material is allowed in the water as other materials, such as cotton, will absorb bacteria and also weigh down the swimmer creating unnecessary risk to the swimmer."
Swimwear hire services were available at the Panmure facility if users did not have the correct gear, he said.
Women's Health Action maternal and child health promoter Isis McKay said pregnant women often felt very sensitive about their bodies during pregnancy.
"Definitely for larger women during pregnancy it can be difficult to find swimming suits that fit comfortably."
A Human Rights Commission spokeswoman said all service providers were encouraged to treat people respectfully and to let them know what rules were being enforced.
"Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against because they are pregnant is able to make a complaint to us and we would deal with it through our usual processes."
