Swim Gear

Swimming requires some special equipment besides a decent pool.

The very basics include:

• A swimsuit

• A cap for long hair

• Goggles

• and a towel.

Other handy items would be:

• A good shampoo and conditioner (look for the Ultraswim or Tri-Swim brand, and for cruelty-free products (Yay!), look to the sidebar, under “Recommendations“)
• A bottle of alcohol and white wine vinegar (50/50) solution to dry out leftover water from your ear canal, preventing the “swimmers ear” that some people develop after being in the water. Dribble the solution into the ear canal (intact eardrums only, please) with a rubber baby ear syringe and leave in for a full 5 minutes

• Silicone ear plugs (Mack’s brand is good) and

• Rubber sandals for shower and poolside.

Containers near a pool or shower should be plastic.

Suits

Suits are often made of a combination of Lycra Spandex and nylon. These suits eventually fall apart from continual wearings in chlorine pools. I usually have to replace mine every 6 months or so if I swim 3 or more times a week.
Some suits are made of 100% polyester, which lasts longer than spandex. These and suits made from other specially-treated fabrics, plus certain special washes for your suit, will help it last longer. See the sidebar on the right for specific solutions for longer-lasting suits.

Keep your Lycra suit longer by:

• Rinsing in the shower before entering pool, to saturate the fabric with fresh water

• Rinsing the suit in cool water after swimming, by not wringing it out (just squeeze the water out instead) and hanging it to dry as soon as possible. A crumpled, soggy Lycra suit can fall apart before your eyes.

Caps

Caps come in either rubber, silicone rubber or Lycra spandex. If you really want to protect your hair from chlorine, bear in mind that rubber or silicone are effective barriers. Silicone is thicker and makes the best seal round your head. Porous Lycra caps keep your hair contained but will eventually fall apart, the same as a suit.

Hairdressers recommend putting conditioner on your hair under your rubber cap for protection while you swim. Every pool has rules regarding the use of caps, as you’ll find out as you arrange for lessons.

Goggles

Goggles are a highly individual matter. Most important, the goggles need to fit your face, between your brow ridge and your cheekbone. They come in different styles depending on your face shape. Oversized mask-like goggles can offer lots of visibility and could help you relax.

Some goggle tips:

• If your nose has a high bridge, for example, try goggles with an adjustable bridge. Feel for the goggle’s seal near the nosepiece
• High cheekbones need a narrow and oval, not round, shape
• Smaller faces might be comfortable with a Junior size
• Goggles come with either foam or silicone rubber “gaskets” or seals attached, which help keep water from leaking in. Be aware of allergies you may have to certain foams. You can also choose goggles without gaskets (“Swedes”) if you prefer. But usually only competitive swimmers wear them. Whenever I wear them, they leak. But maybe that’s just me
• Some students prefer the comfort of an oversized or wide-angle style goggle with a clear lens for maximum visibility in the water. Oversized, mask-like goggles require the most attention to fit around your cheekbones, the eye and the bridge of your nose
• Try the suction of the goggle on your face before you use it out underwater. Without undo force, press and hold the goggles over your eyes. If you feel poor suction, if the goggles don’t stay in place for a few seconds before falling off, you have a poor seal. Try a different style. Don’t torture your skin looking for the tightest fit. Unless you want to. (Silicone gaskets seal the best)
• Goggles can be ground as prescription lenses. Ask any optometrist who makes glasses. Speedo also offers an optical goggle. Contact their customer service about this at (888) 477-3336.

The strap fits tightest at the upper back of your head. Most new swimmers have to try on different styles before being satisfied with the fit. Unfortunately, unless you can try out a friend’s pair while you’re at the pool or a store pair, you’ll have to buy your goggles first before checking the fit.
Many swimmers use (their own) spit to rub into each eyepiece, and then quickly dunk into the pool to rinse, to keep them defogged.

Swim gear can be found at the following or at your local sports store:

• Speedo  A biggie with everything you need, from suits to goggles to kickboards

• The Finals  Mail order and now online. Great prices

• Kiefer  All gear, online and in retail stores

• Swim 2000  Order anything you need online. Some discounts offered. Check back often

• Junonia  For the active woman size 14 and up