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Health Club Ends Nude Swimming Tradition

Posted on: Thursday, 18 December 2003, 06:00 CST

The Milwaukee Athletic Club is breaking with its 121-year-old tradition and requiring men to wear suits when they swim - and some longtime swimmers aren't happy about it.

Bob Schmidt, 56, figures he has been swimming nude at the downtown club since he was 6, and he greatly enjoys not having to tote a swimsuit with him.

"This is not over yet," Schmidt said. "What would happen if I just show up for a swim one day without a suit?"

Club president Bob Bellin said he can understand why the ban on nude swimming, starting Jan. 2, is a little controversial.

"Change is difficult," he said. "Some of our older members really enjoy this benefit. But we felt that, in an effort to appeal to younger members, we had to change with the times."

In a letter this month to club members, Bellin said a supply of swimsuits has been purchased and will be available at the sign-in desk.

"I realize that this ends a long-standing tradition at The Club," Bellin wrote. "There are a number of reasons for moving in this direction, but one of the most important was the negative reaction to 'naked' swim from many prospective members. As we struggle to attract new members, this seemed to be a modest compromise to modernize our image."

The club has maintained two pools: one for women and children, requiring suits, and the other for men only to swim laps, in the nude if they wished.

Al Horn, 78, has been swimming nude there each day for decades.

"It's a burden to carry a suit," he said, but he will abide by the ban.

Bellin ended his letter with an invitation:

"We invite you to mourn the passing of the 'suitless swim' on New Year's Day and have one last skinny dip."

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