I was looking for a campsite in France through a well known travel company, some could say they hold a KEY position, in the field of camping. Now I noticed something strange when it described the swimming pool - you could not wear swimming shorts or suncream in the pool. I was concerned about this on 2 counts: 1) I don't look great in budgie smugglers; 2) I want to make sure the kidiwinks are protected from the sun's rays whilst in the water. I asked for clarification from the company and here is the response: "Good Morning Thankyou for your email. With regards to your query at Picardy, they have certain restrictions in place when it comes to health and safety in their swimming pools, swimming shorts aren't allowed so it would only be the speedo type of swim wear allowed for males. The sun-cream aspect does mean they will more than likely expect everybody to have a shower before going into the pool, these rules are set in place by the managers of the site.. I know it's not the most ideal solution but there are swimsuits that you can buy which covers the majority of a childs body to protect from the suns rays and a hat to protect the childs head. I'm sorry I couldn't be of any further help. If there's anything else I can help you with please let me know. Kind Regards" Now, if they had said you can't wear shorts because the owner is funny like that - fine, but for H&S reasons!!! You can't wear shorts for H&S reasons but your kids can burn because we don't want to have the clean the pool so often. I have responded explaining the how ridiculous this is and how one point contradicts the other point in terms of H&S so await a response with anticipation. Anyone know where I can get a mankini?

Paul, Thats the norm in many French pools, obviously it's the French interpretation of some regulation or other....in Italy it is often mandatory to wear a swimming cap too, to top off the image.... I have a camouflage mankini you can borrow, but I'll need it back in time for the IOSH Conference..... Cheers Ken

Ken, that's lunch over (quicker than expected)! As for French interpretation of some regulation..... I thought we were the only ones 'implementing' the European legislation? Only joking Mods!

My impression from using pools in a number of continental countries over the years is that the continentals are keener than most Brits are regarding pool user hygiene, and having a good shower before going in the pool seems to be more acceptable. By contrast it seems that most Brits either skip the shower bit altogether or just spend a few seconds under a shower to become wet and give the impression to others, especially pool staff, that they have complied. Apparently when users of pools in the UK complain about eye and skin irritation from the chlorine in the pools, the irritants are actually compounds formed by the reaction of chlorine with sweat and cosmetics introduced by swimmers because they haven't bothered to shower properly beforehand. I'm far from expert on this topic, so can only guess that solar protection creams might be irritants as well. As Paul3B says, the response that kids can wear full body suits and a hat as sun protection while adults have to wear skimpy things and have no protection is nonsense. Also, as with other similar situations, the firm's quoting of "health & safety" for what is more probably a health & convenience matter appears to show that the term is being (mis)used as a convenient cover. As for actual pool safety, I understand from various sources and my own experience that British pools, especially ones run by public sector organisations, tend to have lifeguards while continental pools don't always have them. If this is true, water safety is surely a far more important aspect than minimising irritation for pool users and/or enabling pool operators to save time and money on their pool water treatment arrangements!

There's a lesson or two here for everyone: 1. France should be travelled through, not to. 2. Never use pools; I'm sure your average toilet bowl has less Bacteria/Viruses

I'm off for a paddle in the bidet.

Thinking about pools reminds me that perhaps the cleanest one I've ever encountered was one at a small hotel in a mountainous area on the island of Crete. It didn't seem to have or need any pool treatment system because it was fed by several springs coming out of a hillside nearby. The pool had grills which discharged the water into a stream further down the hillside. Goodness knows what the rate of pool water changes was but it probably quite high. Mind you, the water was also pretty cold so vigorous swimming was the best way of staying warm while in the pool. Some of the swimming pools in Iceland are interesting. They tend to contain water heated by or from natural hot springs and with a low natural sulphur content, rather like the domestic hot water supplies at various places including the capital Reykjavik. The sulphur made the water notably soft with a mild skin cleansing effect. I can't recall the swimming pools having chlorine, so guess that the sulphur content might have had a disinfecting action. Paul3B - good for you for pursuing this matter with the company and sharing it on this forum. It will be interesting to learn how the company responds again. Unless you are keen to stay at the campsite involved, you could tell the company that you won't be staying there. Also, by raising the matter with the company, it's possible that its people might in turn raise it with the campsite operators. If more people were willing to challenge apparently silly rules, perhaps there would be less chance of people making and getting away with such rules!

What did you just call me? ;-)

Hope this helps- http://www.ebay.co.uk/sc...sacat=See-All-Categories

Sorry, maybe a warning would have been appropriate with that one..

This thread is now locked as Friday has finished. thank you IOSH Moderating team