Well, they are.
I've been swimming pretty regularly now for nearly two months. I can swim freestyle pretty good, but I still get tired easily. For the first time, I asked someone if I could share a lap lane with them. I wore out my previously brand-new swimming suit, and have to buy another. My swimcap is still hanging in there. People have told me that I smell like chlorine. And I found out that earplugs are a great way to prevent ear infections. I now have a blue Nalgene bottle that guards my lap lane when I am swimming. And I've learned how to dive off the board (stand backwards on the very edge of the board, then lean over backwards, hands over head, knees straight, and just plop into the water). Also learned that I have a slight dermatological reaction to chlorine, so I have to put itch-stuff on my arms after I'm done swimming.
The above is my swimmy progress report.
Everything is great except for MY EVIL GOGGLES.
They are nice goggles. They have silicon gaskets and a one-piece nosebridge thing. I think they cost $7 at the time. I bought them when I was a swimming newbie and was like "Oh look, GOGGLES". But they absolutely suck at keeping water out of my eyes for any length of time. Every two laps or so, or after every dive, I have to take my goggles off, try to get the water out of my eyes, and readjust.
I want to buy new goggles, but I don't know what ones to get. The guy at the store gave me funny looks when I was trying to break into a goggle case to try them on. Trying them on (the stick 'em to your face suction test) in the store doesn't seem useful.
I think my goggle problem lies within the gasket, which appears to be failing in its job of sticking to my face. In your experience, do molded (silicon) gaskets work better (keep water out and stick to your face) than foam gaskets? And does an adjustable nose-piece help goggles fit better? My face is sorta broad.
What goggles do you use?
Need gogglehelp :confused:
Former Member
Originally posted by etrain
The do just suction to your face. I would suggest not to wear them during a water polo match...
etrain
Ha! I wore them during a game of Sharks and Minnows. Those things will actually leave cuts on your face if you get hit or kicked!
But I love them anyway!
Although it is way late, I'll weigh in with my 2 cents. I have used the swede goggles, and have not taken the time to adjust them perfectly, but like them for competition.
Foam vs. Silicone gasket. In the real old days when there was a rainbow around every streetlight on the way home from practice, there was ONLY foam if you wore goggles at all. And as the foam gradually shrank and hardened, you tightened your head strap to keep the seal. The same thing does not work for the silicone gasket goggles, as I found after tightening my strap until I was bugeyed.
I had purchased some Rothammer goggles (about 1988) to try, and found that the tighter I pulled the strap, the more they leaked. Not really ready to observe the obvious solution, I pulled the strap even tighter. Much more pain, plenty of leaks. Finally, I just loosened the strap so that the goggles barely felt like they were on my face. Voila! no leaks, plenty comfort, I'm sold for life. I use View goggles now, because I got them for free about 5 years ago.
Kernow,
You can get the bungee straps at www.aardvarkswim.com.
I love them.
Swimmy :)
Former Member
After reading all of the responses regarding swedish goggles I pulled out the pair I used once that leaked like a sieve. I tweaked them for about 50 yards and voila, leak proof and a great view. Really, I just loosened up the strap and the nose piece like so many people said on this thread. I have the TYR brand that has a bit of rubber around the edges, but not a gasket or anything. Plus, you gotta love all the cool colors to keep things interesting. What a great google, I am hooked.
Hook'em
Blue
Former Member
I wish I could get some nod and shake goggles.
George
