My first memory of wearing “Speedos” is the first time that I ever went to a pool. I am talking about mid 1950’s when I was a young boy. I had been to the beach before on our family holidays and I had probably worn speedo style then, but I cannot really remember.
My friend and I had been enrolled for swimming lessons at our local pool by our respective mothers. I had never been in a swimming pool before. This one dated from about 1910 and one memory was the echoing nature as children shouted and yelped. I had been bought new swimming trunks – speedo style, although probably not actual speedos. I enjoyed my first lesson and that started my passion for swimming, including competitive swimming. It was not long before I joined a swimming club, and, of course, the purchase of club speedos, and was racing by the time I was 9 years old. I have never looked back since then and have always worn speedo style swimwear in the pool and on the beach.
Back to my very first lesson. Afterwards my friend and I emerged from the changing rooms to find both our mothers in fits of laughter. Apparently there had been some teenagers in the deep end of the pool and diving off the boards. One of these guys was wearing rather loose fitting speedos where the leg elastic had failed. Our mothers were not watching us experience our first swimming lesson but were transfixed by the teenager with his tackle hanging out of his briefs. A lesson learnt as a child, always make sure that the Speedos fit well!
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