Equipment
Competitive swimming does not require a major financial outlay, and we don't require any specific equipment, but if your swimmer has the basics, s/he will be more comfortable (as well as swim faster). Please check with Shannon Wisdom if you have questions about what your child may need.
Swimsuit
Team suit ordering instructions
- Team swimsuit is optional.
- For 2011, our team suit is the Dolfin Safari in blue. Female and male styles are available. K&B Sportswear has set up a team web page for us, where individuals can order suits at a bulk discount rate and get free shipping. A variety of sizes of the Safari suit will be available for swimmers to try on during registration.
- A previous team suit, or really ANY suit at all, is also fine to wear! (We generally have kept to a "blue" theme.)
- For boys, we do not recommend competing in baggy boardshorts or similar "regular" swim trunks. They are fine for practice, but provide too much drag to enable fast swimming in a meet. Boys can either choose briefs (sometimes called "Speedos") or, more usually, jammers, which are snug-fitting knee-length suits.
- Most experienced swimmers use their team suit only for meets, and have one or more practice suits. These are often old, saggy, washed-out swimsuits from past years, sometimes several layered together for drag (and decency!).
Goggles
- We strongly recommend a good pair of swim goggles. The chlorine really goes for your eyes. It's much more comfortable and allows for better technique to put your head in the water when you have a good, well-fitting pair of goggles.
- There are many types on the market; they typically cost $10-15. Ask a coach or experienced swimmer or swim parent about how to chooose and fit goggles.
Swim cap
- Swim caps are recommended, particularly for swimmers with longer hair.
- We usually have a supply of our blue Waterbury Rapids silicone caps to sell.
- Spare swim caps are also recommended to have on hand for practice and at meets (they always break at the most inconvenient moments).
Other items...
- Nice, large towel
- Fleece or swim parka -- a lot of swimmers get cold fast once they're out of the water.
- Sunscreen, please!
- Water bottle for practices and meets. It's important to keep hydrated.
- Snacks or money at meets to buy snacks at the concession stand.