Tell me about the "helmet caps' worn over regular caps. Just curious.
Former Member
Do you mean the new "chin strap type from Speedo" They look like a wet suit hood. I guess they are targeted for surfers with surfers ear. Or do you mean the traditional ones? I have not seen any of the new Speedo ones. Except on web sites for sale. The traditional chin strap caps can be worn over a regular swim cap for a more water tight seal if you need it for hair or ear protection.
See the "Swim Cap Guide" for more details about more water tight caps. several other pages there too so follow the links. For double swimcaps see the swim team or kayak cap page.
www.geocities.com/.../scg.html
Or Cold Water caps Some like the Barracuda Hothead are "helmet style"
www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html
The TV announcer (Rowdy Gaines?) said the normal swim caps get folds and ridges, which will flap around in the water, causing drag. The helmet caps avoid that.
I think the basic premise is it's more aerodynamic (or hydrodnamic if you prefer). However, I would argue you would want to trip the boundary layer at the head, but maybe that's a little more advanced fluid mechanics theory than you want to get into! Suffice it to say it isn't clear that you would always want the absolute smoothest surface possible. that's why the Fastskin suit have slight ridges akin to a shark's skin.
The new Speedo cap is the creation of Masters swimmer and coach Ron Johnson. Ron is also the inventor of the Catalyst hand paddles and Stroke Maker hand paddles as well as the latest paddles marketed by TYR, the Mentor.
I have had the privilege of coaching with Ron for the past 6 years. He is by far the most creative 72-year-old person I know. Despite the fact he has coached 14 Olympic medalists, he is always learning new ways to teach swimming and improve his understanding of how we swim.
The basic idea behind the cap is that by removing the wrinkles present in the typical latex or silicon cap, you can improve the flow of water around the head of the swimmer and lower resistance.
Here's what they look like. This photo shows Dana Kirk on her way to the win in the 200 fly. Natalie wore a cap under her *helmet*.
Maybe Gary Hall should have worn one. :) Not sure if they come in extra large though. (I predict he'll get a spot with his 50M performance.)
What material are these caps made out of? They look very stiff when the swimmers remove them from over their other caps. it looks kinda like a hard shell. Do they have to be fitted to your own head so they will stay on correctly especially during butterfly?
Originally posted by jerrycat
the only thing is that one of the women had a big lumpy ponytail kind of sticking out of her helmet at the bottom. man, if I was trying to make the olympics, I'd cut the pony off so it wouldn't drag. i know that sounds severe--but come on. It's the olympics! People work their whole life for the chance!
I remember seeing that too. But it was either Coughlin or Beard (I forget which one), so I don't think the ponytail jeopardized their Olympic chances. :)
