Swimmers have been banned from showering naked at their local pool – in case they offend children.

Bathers have been told to keep their swimming costumes on while using the showers following complaints from local schools that pupils were offended by ‘open nudity’ and needed ‘a certain amount of privacy.’

Swimmers who regularly use the Torridge Pool in Northam, Devon, described the rule as ‘health and safety gone mad.’

(CLICK HERE FOR MORE -> Swimming pool users banned from showering naked ‘in case children are offended’ | Mail Online: .)

“Explore the Secret Coves and Wild Beaches of Britain. Wild Swimming Coast, a new wild swimming book by Daniel Start was recently published and is now available for £14.95.

In this sequel you can discover and enjoy over 400 magical swims and adventures along some of the least explored parts of Britain’s stunning coast.”

(CLICK HERE FOR MORE -> openwaterswimming.eu aggregator East Dorset Open Water Swimming club: Wild Swimming Coast: .)

Far from us to not jump on a bandwagon and because we couldn’t weave swine flu into swimming pool news we are going with the other pig story … blimey we got both into one sentence!

“The costs of swimming pool maintenance are among expenses claims by eight Tory MPs, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Its report, based on leaked receipts, also says claims were made for clearing a moat, buying horse manure and mowing and rolling paddocks.”

(Via BBC NEWS | Politics | MPs claimed swimming pool costs: .)

Roll on 2012 – has the pool been booked or is there an aquafun day for gym members booked that day?

“It is with regret that the County has to cancel the Long Course event for 2009 because it has proved impossible to secure a booking at the Pool at a time of day which is appropriate to the conduct of a swimming competition”

(Via Middlesex County ASA | News LONG COURSE COMPETITION 2009: .)

“From well-heeled country golf clubs to inner-city basketball programmes, 6,000 sports clubs across the country could be forced to close as a result of the recession, according to new research.

Figures due to be released today by the CCPR, an umbrella organisation for 290 sports governing bodies, show that the economic downturn has dealt a heavy blow to income levels at sports clubs of all sizes and could have a detrimental impact on government promises related to the London 2012 Olympics.”

(Via Guardian Unlimited Sport Around 6,000 sports clubs face closure: .)

“Mobile swimming pools are one of the key elements of the Mayor of London’s vision to create a fitter, healthier, more active London and the move has been welcomed by the ASA. Other activities included in the plan are boxing academies, street athletics in every borough and competitive sport for profoundly disabled children.

‘A Sporting Future for London’ unveiled by the Mayor Boris Johnson and his Sports Commissioner, Kate Hoey on Tuesday 28 April 2009 will see a total of over £30 million invested into grass-roots sport in London by 2012.”

(Via Latest News A Sporting Future for London: .)

Ok it’s not exactly a swimming story … but the channel is the channel and we love a crazy headline.

“Water from the murky English Channel is being bottled and sold as a remedy for blocked noses in the US.”

(Via Telegraph News | UK News English Channel water sold as blocked nose remedy to Americans: .)

“Swimmers and sunbathers alike know how uncomfortable clinging wet swimwear can be when you emerge after a quick dip.

Now they can enjoy drying off in seconds thanks to a new type of costume that claims to harness nanotechnology.

The Sun Dry Swimsuit is made from a special fabric developed in the laboratory. Each fabric fibre is surround by an invisible ‘non-toxic’ mesh that creates a permanent water repelling barrier without interfering with the weave.”

(Via Make a splash with the swimming costume that dries in moments | Mail Online: .)

“A double amputee who lost both her legs as a child has turned into a mermaid with the help of an Oscar-winning special-effects workshop.

Nadya Vessey, from Auckland, New Zealand, suffered a medical condition as a child that forced doctors to amputate both her legs.

When a little boy asked her what happened to her legs, she told him she was a mermaid.”

(Via Pictured: Woman becomes a mermaid after ‘Lord of the Rings’ special effects shop gives her new prosthetic | Mail Online: .)

“When is a pool not a pool??  When it’s an aqua-gym!

Sad about your local pool closing? Console yourself with the thought that your MEP’s are set to vote themselves a new pool and gym at an approximate cost of £8.1 million, with consultancy costs using up a staggering £1 million of that money…..

Never mind – the EU accounts have not been accepted by external auditors for the past 13 years, so there’s no reason to think that there’ll be any fuss over this sort of expenditure.

Mr Onesta, the vice president, who tabled the plans for the new fitness facilities, said that the new gym had nothing to do with luxury and that the facilities would save money by cutting staff absenteeism by up to 30%  !!!!!

What a pity this logic isn’t being applied anywhere else in the EU”

(Via poolingresources : Message: Anger over EU plans to build multi-million pound gym for MEPS: .)