Don't Be Brief

Male open water swimmers the world over have no problems wearing briefs (lest, we say Speedos) at beaches, lakes, rivers and bays while most of the male civilian population is more fashionably attired in boardshorts.

However, that freedom to wear swim briefs has taken a recent hit, at least in one location.

Alton Towers Resort, a British theme park and water resort, has banned briefs on men. The press release stated the following, "To prevent embarrassment among fellow members of the public and to maintain the family-friendly atmosphere at the resort, bosses have taken the extreme measure of banning these tight trucks from their popular waterpark located within the Splash Landings Hotel. While women may hail the return of the skimpy bathers, the style itself is not deemed public or family friendly, and therefore we are requesting that male swimmers wear more appropriate styles such as boardshorts."

It is our guess that the Speedo ban was not specifically aimed at open water swimmers.

Photo by Peter Morris shows the Balmoral Beach Club swimmers at their 60K relay across crocodile-infested Lake Argyle in Australia.