Thirty years ago when Seltzer Park was donated and developed, the surfing population at Seaside’s Cove was only about 2% women. Today that number is more than 30%, Lexie Hallahan of Northwest Women’s Surf Camps said.

Hallahan is leading a campaign to bring “shower” equity to Seltzer Park, the area east of the Cove across Sunset Boulevard. While there’s a shower immediately outside the men’s room where the door is open, “You’re literally looking right in at men in the urinals,” she said.

Hallahan envisions the shower tower on the north side of the park in the open air, clearly visible from the street, with shower heads at both child and adult height.

“It looks kind of like a cement round structure,” she said. “It has the possibility to put up to six fixtures on it.”

To start, two showers will be adult and two showers child height, and designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements. The showers will have hot and cold water and a foot wash. Signs will be posted prohibiting use of soap or shampoo because that would contaminate the wetlands behind the park.

Showers will be closed in the evening when restrooms are locked and reopened in the morning.

Hallahan attributes the boom in women’s surfing to a number of surf movies from the 1980s, led by “Blue Crush.”

“That went nationwide,” she said. “It was huge. There were several girl surfer movies that just made it cool for women. I could see there was a real desire for women wanting to learn to surf.”

Years later, she started her business, offering surf lessons to women and families. “And every year it’s booming.”

Hallahan presented the plan to the Seaside Parks Advisory Committee, which will recommend it to the City Council for funding, including $2,870 for the tower plus piping and installation.

Hallahan presented her plan to the City Council last week. “It sounds like a great idea,” Mayor Jay Barber said.

To get involved in the shower tower, write a letter of support to the City Council, Hallahan said.

“The main reasons for me are accessibility and equitability,” she said. “I think those are priorities now in today’s world. We’re 32 years past that and it’s time we get it. So many people will be using it. It’s long overdue.”