A regular user of Robinson Pool has told the Bedford Independent that she felt victimised and racially profiled for wearing modest swimwear.

Bushra Hai, who frequently uses the gym and pool at Robinson Pool and always swims in the same modest suit (pictured), was at the pool on Sunday, 4 September with her two children at the family swim session.

While she was swimming a female member of staff approached her and told her that her swimwear was not permitted.

“I asked her what was wrong with it,” said Bushra. “She asked me if I wore the garment outside and I explained that it was not outerwear and was made of the same fabric as swimsuits.

“She said her manager had sent her to tell me I couldn’t wear it.”

Bushra, an engineer, said she found herself explaining the technical fabric the suit was made from and even gave the staff member the name of the website where the suit was purchased.

“I’m a 38-year-old woman, I’m a paying customer and I found myself justifying the properties of the fabric of my swimwear.”

Rather than taking time to understand or research modest swimwear, Bushra said she felt that the attendant was not willing to hear her justification.  “She seemed more concerned with sticking to her argument. She told me the garment was ‘just not allowed’.

“Big sports brands including Nike and Adidas make modest swimwear because they don’t want to alienate women from different ethnicities.

“I felt like I’d been profiled and that she spoke down to me and wanted to make me feel uncomfortable.”

And despite being a regular swimmer at the pool, Bushra said she now feels disheartened by the attitude of the staff and that “I’ll always go to the pool with anxiety from now on.”

“When I go to the pool, I don’t see many people like me,” she said.

She said she felt that poolside staff should be encouraging people from all walks of life to exercise and not “put them off with ignorant and rude behaviour”.

A spokesperson for Fusion Lifestyle, which runs Robinson Pool on behalf of Bedford Borough Council told the Bedford Independent: “Our priority is the safety and well-being of swimmers using our facilities.

“The team felt that on this occasion the swimmer’s attire was too loose and could pose a health and safety risk.

“We are committed to providing  inclusive and accessible sport and leisure facilities and the centre management team would be very happy to discuss this with the swimmer and see how we can support them.”

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