Beach Wear

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 84, 3 January 1935, Page 9

Beach Wear

Sir, —There is no desire on my part to enter into a public controversy on the correct wear for male swimmers, but as yet no definite ruling or understanding has been reached by the various bodies and individuals who have given their impressions in your paper. It is rather late in the day for Air. Chapman, of the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Association, to offer an explanation on the decision reached at a recent meeting of his organisation, and which was published in "The Dominion” of December 7, for after all a lead or view was awaited by all swimmers, and when Air. Chapman’s association expressed its approval of beach shorts as quite decent for male swimmers, it was a decision welcomed by manufacturers, retailers, and swimmers. The question of A r -piece trunks has never entered into this controversy, as they are not worn on the beaches unless under the old-style one-piece woollen suit. Why Air. Chapman should rule that only the new shorts known as the “Sunbather” should be permitted is difficult to understand, for I am told that all swimming suits of this particular make have the same inside trunks as the “Sunbather,” the only difference being the belt top to the shorts. One can appreciate the impression of the local doctor as reported in jour paper of Alonday, and he hit the nail when he referred to the moral code. New Zealand people are only too ready to pull a person up where there is a case of indecency, and I feel that the matter of suitable beach wear can be left to the general public. However, as a lead I am ■ going to make the suggestion that where male swimmers are wearing the full suit with the reinforced or inside trunks, it should be permissible for the tops to be rolled provided a belt is worn on the hips. This should overcome the present misunderstanding and indecency would not occur, as has happened when fellows are wrestling and fooling on the beaches. I think that until some definite ruling or by-law is made your paper could suitably recommend my suggestion of a belt to overcome the present misunderstanding and clarify the position for those who are endeavouring to enforce the law.—l am, etc.,

J. W. KELLY. Wellington, December 31.