"The mayor, wearing a business suit and black socks, performed a cannonball in violation of pool rules requiring swimmers to wear bathing suits."
Mayor’s Pool Plunge Breaks Rules, Makes a Splash
Mayor Zohran Mamdani jumped into the Thomas Jefferson Pool in East Harlem on Saturday, June 27, 2026, to mark the start of the city's summer pool season. The mayor, wearing a business suit and black socks, performed a cannonball in violation of pool rules requiring swimmers to wear bathing suits.
Background
Mamdani had been asked in March by reporter Katie Honan of The City Reporter whether he would continue the tradition of mayors jumping into pools on opening day. He committed to the leap this week. The previous mayor to do so was Michael Bloomberg in 2014; Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams did not.
Pool Rules
Parks Department rules require all swimmers to wear bathing suits. Males must have trunks with mesh lining or may wear Speedos. The rules are intended to maintain healthy chemical levels in the pools.
Previous Similar Act
During the 2025 mayoral campaign, Mamdani jumped into the water at Coney Island for the Polar Bear Club Plunge while promising to freeze rent. On Thursday, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board approved a rent freeze for both one-year and two-year leases for approximately 1 million rent-stabilized units.