Hurricane Harbor NJ

[Bede735]

A strange term to use 'speedo friendly'. Is that based on the fact that no one is wearing them - therefore there's hostility towards them?

You could have a similar argument about a public indoor public not being 'bikini-friendly' on account of all the women wearing one-pieces, but I doubt if that question would ever be asked.

[Dooley67]

We hear the term "speedo - friendly" used so often when talking about whether it is or is not appropriate to wear a speedo and whether or not the beach or pool or whatever is "speedo - friendly". Really, what difference does it make? If you are comfortable and want to wear a speedo, wear one that is appropriate (not a string bikini or a thong in public pools or Y's). If you're not comfortable, don't wear one. Maybe we are the ones who are either "speedo - friendly" or "speedo - unfriendly" rather than the venues.

I had a conversation with an 18 year old young man who is a lifeguard at my Y about speedos. All the guards there wear the guard boardshorts and lifeguard shirts. He said that when he does laps he wears a speedo and said that he can't understand why some people think that if you wear a speedo you're gay. He said that he feels like when you swim seriously, you wear a speedo. To him it was simple as that. I gave him a couple of my Euro Sportis which he really liked and when he wore one to try to learn how to do a flip turn, I was about to say to him, "you look (terrific or awesome) in the speedo, he finished my sentence with a huge grin and said, "I look like a swimmer." Point well made.

D67

[dorcas3]

Dooley67-You are a Saint! Bravo

[BriefBro]

A while back when I was about 10-12 my family took us to Knott's Soak City. I was a little nervous since I had some chub, but who didn't at age 11ish? I was still insecure. I kind of already knew I liked to look at guys, but part of me was jealous and would checking them out to admire their physique, which I did not have.

At one point I go into a waterslide and notice another guy, about 13-15, a little older than me, is wearing a black 3-4 inch sides speedo that had a white 'belt' around it along with his younger brother and dad. All three just living it up in a speedo out in a water park walking and minding their own business. It was something- like the confidence, the openness, the attitude. I admired all of it. The guy kept going into the water slide, and I also kept going in just to get a glance at the guy every time. He was toned, and fit and was just doing his thing, he laughed a lot and just had a good time of himself.

[BriefBro]

Originally Posted by Dooley67

We hear the term "speedo - friendly" used so often when talking about whether it is or is not appropriate to wear a speedo and whether or not the beach or pool or whatever is "speedo - friendly". Really, what difference does it make? If you are comfortable and want to wear a speedo, wear one that is appropriate (not a string bikini or a thong in public pools or Y's). If you're not comfortable, don't wear one. Maybe we are the ones who are either "speedo - friendly" or "speedo - unfriendly" rather than the venues.

I had a conversation with an 18 year old young man who is a lifeguard at my Y about speedos. All the guards there wear the guard boardshorts and lifeguard shirts. He said that when he does laps he wears a speedo and said that he can't understand why some people think that if you wear a speedo you're gay. He said that he feels like when you swim seriously, you wear a speedo. To him it was simple as that. I gave him a couple of my Euro Sportis which he really liked and when he wore one to try to learn how to do a flip turn, I was about to say to him, "you look (terrific or awesome) in the speedo, he finished my sentence with a huge grin and said, "I look like a swimmer." Point well made.

D67

That's just awesome. That guys confident and owns what he has.

I feel like straight guys get so uppity to not look gay in case someone calls them out on it. In a way, I feel this attitude and weak masculinity paves the way for sexism, homophobia and an all-around intolerance not to mention insecurity.

ALSO, I feel when we look for a "speedo friendly" pool or beach we're looking for one that draws an open-minded public where there aren't any douchey or frat guys to holler or tease people. This way the general public won't mind if someone wears a speedo. We can be as confident as we want, but you wouldn't wear a speedo at Laguna Beach where it's mostly a conservative crowd, or a beach that draws the most people. Let's be honest the general public is has this closed-minded, hypocritical attitude. It's improving but still not all there.

We really just rather avoid harassment if it ever happens.