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GOOD NEWS….GOOD NEWS

Swimming is a cheap sport to take up, it’s as simple as that. There is no expensive football boots to buy or rackets to purchase.

	In its simplest form you need swimwear, a cap and a pair of goggles. And if you shop wisely this could be less than £20.
	I will be honest this is all I take with me as equipment to the pool. Most pools will have all the floats you need, why not use them!!!

Below is a list of what you can buy for swimming, the better you become, the more you need.

Skip down for special beginners and baby equipment

Right…..

Goggles	These are a combination of plastic compartments and an elastic strap. Goggles are placed over yours eyes to stop water getting in. TIP: If you wear glasses you can get prescription goggles. Now that’s a good idea
Swimming Caps	Designed to increase streamlining while swimming they are great for competition and will also protect your hair from the chlorine in the water. They come in all colours and sizes.
Men’s Trunks	Self explanatory really. Again they come in all colours and sizes. You can also get swimming shorts which are great for leisure swimming.
Women’s Swimming Costumes	Again self explanatory and again they come in all colours and sizes.
Full Body Suits	Competitive swimmers now swim in full body suits, which are better for streamlining and body position holding. Sounds very scientific to me.
Kickboards	Basically a fancy name for a float. They are often slightly larger than a standard float and may have some handles cut out of them to grab onto
Pull buoy	This is a float in the shape of a number 8 which slides between your legs to allow you to swim with your arms only.
Flippers	You will see deep sea divers wearing them. They basically attach to your feet and allow you to move very fast through the water with just your legs. Great for building strength in your legs.
Hand paddles	These are flat pieces of plastic which attach to your fingers. It sits on the palm of your hands and makes pulling through the water quite tough. They are used to build strength in your arms.
Ear plugs	These will protect your ears in the water. They are made of a soft silicone and sit comfortably in the ear. Great for those who have sensitive ears.

Our advice is to start off with the basics

• Swim wear

• Swimming cap

• Swimming Goggles

Once you have developed as a swimmer you may wish to purchase a few more bits and bobs from above.

Special equipment for Beginners and Babies

1. Armbands – A simple inflatable band which fits onto your child’s upper arms to keep them afloat in the water.

2. Swimming Nappies – A one size fits all product, which replaces the need for your baby to wear a conventional nappy under a swimsuit.

3. UV Swimming Suits – A body suit for your baby which protects against harmful rays of the sun (factor 50). Ideal for children from 6 months to 2 years.

4. Babywarma Wetsuit - Suitable for children from 6 months to a year. They help prevent your child suffering from the cooler temperature of the water. They also make it easier for you to grip your child in the water.

I hope this page has been of use to you, please contact us if you would like to add further tips for our readers. Thanks

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