I've been competing for about 2 years. I'm in my late 50's, female, carry extra weight, and swim from 50's to 500 distance. Anyway, if I wear a cap- even latex- for a meet, I get too hot and am distracted.:bitching:
So I've quit wearing a cap, ever.:wiggle: (I've been hot for 20 years, so it's nothing new). I think I just did my 6th meet. Goggles are finally staying on for starts.
Is there any reason to wear a cap? I assume I'm slower- but I can focus better. My hairs short.
Am I the only one too hot to wear a cap?
By the way, late this spring I'm going to try open water, where the Lake Erie water should be nice and cool.
I'm new to posting, here goes.:)
Maybe you're just swimming in a warm pool. I'm pretty intolerant of warm water so if they temp goes above 82 I ditch the cap as well. But not for a meet. Generally pool temps go up in the summer because swim team is not in season so I end up verging on blonde in the summer from the chlorine!
Open Water events will require a cap for safety (helps kayakers keep track of swimmers strung out all over the lake); and if Lake Eerie is anything like Lake Michigan, you'll appreciate preserving some of that heat. I rarely wear a cap myself... only for meets, or time trials... because in your average pool it is too hot for long hard swims.
Caps can be really hot. If you're happy without one and you don't find your hair is getting wrecked by pool chemicals, I say more power to you!
I think in many open water races caps are required for safety reasons, but the water will be cooler there.
You don't have to assume you are slower; look at the clock. Getting too hot also can slow you down, especially in a 5-minute or longer race. Lots of men skip the cap. If it works for you, why not?
If you want or need to wear a cap try a Lycra cap, they are much cooler. The down side to Lycra caps are they do not protect your hair from the chlorine, but the good thing is that they keep the hair out of your eyes and maybe make you a little more hydro-dynamic!
You could also put ventilation holes in your cap, a la swimsuit addict: forums.usms.org/entry.php
Hey, I think I'll try that with one of my freebie caps and see how it works. Thanks!
If wearing a cap is uncomfortable, you are right, don't wear it. You'll go faster not having to worry about a cap than the very small advantage a cap might give you.
