Surf club changes dress code deemed 'sexist' towards men

A popular Queensland surf club has abandoned their decades-long dress code that it said created “constant problems” because it was sexist to men.

For years staff at Coolum Surf Club faced constant abuse from male patrons who were turned away from the licensed venue for wearing singlets or hats.

“We would have a man and a woman come to the club, wearing the same attire, both wearing singlets and we would say yes to the woman and no to the man,” club manager Mal Wright told Yahoo7 News.

But on the back of an email from Clubs Queensland advising venues to revisit their dress code to avoid discrimination complaints, Mr Wright said it was an obvious decision to make an “equal standard” for men and women.

“We came to the realisation that it was sexist and it was discriminatory. It’s not going to change our standards,” Mr Wright told Yahoo7 News.

“We purchased loan shirts, but quite often people would get quite upset, they would get angry and agitated and abusive towards our staff.

“We would go through hundreds [of loan shirts] but they would be upset, they would want to feel comfortable in their own clothes.”

Mr Wright explained that the “outdated” dress code is common practice at other surf clubs, but said the tourists, which make up 60 per cent of their club’s customers, were constantly shocked that they would come straight from the beach and couldn’t wear a singlet.

“When the anti-discrimination laws come in place that’s when it becomes an issue.

“It’s been a very welcome change… we are seeing much happier customers.”

Top videos