A new term has emerged for swimmers who skip the pre-swim shower: ‘dry strokers.’ These individuals bypass the shower cubicles and enter UK pools and lidos completely dry, carrying sweat, sunscreen, deodorant, and bacteria into the water. The practice has sparked debate among swimmers, with many calling it unhygienic and disrespectful.
What Are ‘Dry Strokers’?
The term, coined by Metro, describes people who rebuke the requirement to shower before swimming. A regular pool-goer told Metro: ‘I often notice dry strokers sneakily skipping this step and heading straight into the shallow end, completely bone dry. The thought of swimming in water that’s contaminated by unnecessary germs makes me shudder.’
Why Pre-Swim Showers Matter
Dr Ross Perry, a GP, explains that showering before entering a pool is not just courtesy but a crucial hygiene measure. ‘Throughout the day, our skin accumulates sweat, oils, dead skin cells, cosmetics, deodorant, sunscreen, and bacteria. If you enter a pool without showering first, all of these substances are washed off into the water,’ he says. Chlorine and other disinfectants must work harder when organic matter and contaminants are high, which can reduce water quality and increase the risk of skin, eye, and ear irritation for other swimmers.
Health Risks and Chemical By-Products
Skipping a pre-swim shower also affects the individual. Dr Perry notes that carrying more bacteria and debris into the water can increase exposure to irritants and reduce the sanitation system's effectiveness. Additionally, when sweat, urine traces, cosmetics, and personal care products mix with chlorine, they form chloramines—chemical by-products responsible for the strong ‘chlorine smell’ in pools. Chloramines can cause red eyes, respiratory irritation, and skin discomfort. ‘A quick rinse with soap before swimming significantly reduces the amount of contaminants entering the pool,’ Dr Perry adds.
Public Opinion and Reddit Poll
The issue has been hotly debated on the r/Swimming Subreddit, where a poll asked users if they shower before swimming in a public pool. Out of 2,700 votes, 1,200 people said yes, while 1,400 said no. One Reddit user, @16km, recounted: ‘I used to go to a gym… there was a guy who worked as a landscaper and would jump in the pool without rinsing off. There would be a cloud of dirt and foliage that would engulf the pool.’ Another user, @RevHenryMagoo, said they asked two men to rinse off after the sauna but were met with hostility: ‘They got an attitude and said: “This is a public pool and it’s bound to be gross.”’
Confessions of a ‘Dry Stroker’
Some swimmers admitted to skipping the shower. @CurseUmbreon wrote: ‘[I’ve] been swimming competitively since I was four years old and I’ve never once rinsed off before getting in.’ Commenters quickly reminded them that ‘nothing should go in the pool but you.’
Lido Tourism in the South of England
For those seeking a clean dip, historic lidos in southern England offer refreshing cold-water swimming. Brightlingsea Lido in Essex reopened for the summer, with adult admission at £7.50, children over two for £5.50, and under twos free. Inflatables cost £4.50 and sunbeds £2.50. Meanwhile, Brockwell Lido in South London ranked 19th in a global study of the best cold-water dip destinations, based on positive reviews. The next time you visit a pool, make a crucial stop at the shower cubicles—and grab some soap for good measure.
