Hi all
I got my 50 miles Go The Distance cap in the mail yesterday (started swimming in March after a long absence) and very proudly wore it to my swim this morning.W
When I was done, I noticed that it had discolored BIGTIME. You could see where my goggle straps had covered it; that part was still white, but the rest of it is sort of a dingy off white color. Is this a chlorine to latex reaction or what? Should I be grossed out and boycott my pool? I have never swam with a white cap before.
Mine turned an orange-ish color pretty quickly...I stopped using it. The one I got this year I treat more like a reward in my bag and just keep it in there unused. I've gone back to Navy/Black.
Your pool may have some type of chemical issue. My cap slowly and gradually turned darker but it took a couple months of swimming (at least 5X per week for 60-75 minutes).
I just got mine a couple of days ago as well and was debating whether or not to use it due to the warnings about discoloration if not immediately dried and powdered. Now, I know. I guess I'll just keep it as a trophy type of item.
As a side question, I haven't yet used a swim cap and have close cropped hair. But I have been thinking about buying one as most of the serious swimmers I see at the Y wear them. Is there any real benefit to a swim cap for a guy sporting a buzz?
If you are swimming open water in cold water a silicone cap provides a bit of warmth for you.
I've always been under the assumption that caps make you a little more hydro-dynamic, although if you don't have hair I'd think your scalp would do the same thing.
Is there any real benefit to a swim cap for a guy sporting a buzz?
It's probably a good idea if you plan to race. And if you plan to race with one, you should practice with one too, especially starts - I find that my "depth" perception is different when wearing a cap, so I start my breakouts too early unless I'm used to it.
... When wearing a cap, I can't tell how "deep" I am in the water. And I can't feel my head break the surface. My perception of my depth is messed up. /facepalm
I find that my "depth" perception is different when wearing a cap...
??? Does it cover your eyes?
I have a few of these 50-mile caps. I never swim with a cap except on the rare occasions when I swim in open water, so they just gather dust...
I just got mine a couple of days ago as well and was debating whether or not to use it due to the warnings about discoloration if not immediately dried and powdered. Now, I know. I guess I'll just keep it as a trophy type of item.
As a side question, I haven't yet used a swim cap and have close cropped hair. But I have been thinking about buying one as most of the serious swimmers I see at the Y wear them. Is there any real benefit to a swim cap for a guy sporting a buzz?
I don't think I've ever worn a GTD cap, though I've received a few of them.
When I swim in meets, I'll do the shorter events with a cap, possibly the longer events depending on water/air temp. I'll wear a cap for o/w swimming (the brightest I can find, for visibility), but otherwise I rarely, if ever, wear one. I've never enountered any issues with wearing a cap for up to a 400m free swim. Yea it does feel a bit odd, but so does wearing a jammer when you're not used to it either. I think I've encountered more odd feelings wearing a jammer the first time than a cap.
Thanks for the tips! Definitely considering Masters competitions but have a ways to go. My goal is to not be the ridiculous middle-aged guy and finish un-noticed somehwere in the middle of the pack. :) Will likely try a swim cap (not my GTD) in the near future and go from there ...
(and I dig my Jammer)
I think the depth perception comment comes from being able to see the cap in the reflection/refraction in the water a bit, or with your peripheral vision. It's strange seeing it at first, but once you get used to it, it's not a big deal.
