swimming caps... pros and cons?

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:02:01 GMT

Are these the same women you see shopping at the supermarket at 10am on Sundays looking like they're going on a first date? Was that you in aisle 4? I wasn't sure 'cause my fake eyelashes were glued together.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:55:04 GMT

Good point about pre-wetting hair. I remember hearing also that it helps make it easier to put on caps (silicone never a problem anyway, but with latex caps, it definitely makes a difference). I sometimes remember, but often not. As for women who are afraid to get their hair wet, I've seen the same people I think: hair all coiffed, make-up, even perfume. This, btw, isn't unique to swimming. I also see people with similar mindsets walking on tracks and treadmills all made up, hair perfectly in place. And I too wondered about it. But it occurs to me that many of the women who seem afraid to mess up their appearance are in a sense feeling like strangers in a strange land. Many grew up with the message drummed in that little girls were supposed to sit still and be clean. Now their doctors are telling them that their health is at risk if they don't exercise. But exercise was something they learned to dread and avoid. So they come to the gym or the pool not wanting to leave their comfort zone because they haven't learned to play and get dirty and have fun. I wasn't much of an athlete as a kid, but I always enjoyed being outside, swimming, walking, later running, and given that my hair has never wanted to stay in place anyway, even in the best of circumstances, I figure what have I got to lose! ;) Are these the same women you see shopping at the supermarket at 10am on Sundays looking like they're going on a first date?

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 07:48:59 GMT

I for one would never purposely pick the lane next to the noodlers and do fly ... man, you should see the death stares I get, only makes me swim more of it faster .... hehehe ... I don't understand why you would get mad YOU ARE IN A POOL you will get WET! GR! If you wet your hair first your hair won't take in the chlorine because it is already saturated with healtier water ... it's a good idea especially if you color or highlight your hair, I'm too lazy except for the week after I get highlights .... Good point about pre-wetting hair. I remember hearing also that it helps make it easier to put on caps (silicone never a problem anyway, but with latex caps, it definitely makes a difference). I sometimes remember, but often not. As for women who are afraid to get their hair wet, I've seen the same people I think: hair all coiffed, make-up, even perfume. This, btw, isn't unique to swimming. I also see people with similar mindsets walking on tracks and treadmills all made up, hair perfectly in place. And I too wondered about it. But it occurs to me that many of the women who seem afraid to mess up their appearance are in a sense feeling like strangers in a strange land. Many grew up with the message drummed in that little girls were supposed to sit still and be clean. Now their doctors are telling them that their health is at risk if they don't exercise. But exercise was something they learned to dread and avoid. So they come to the gym or the pool not wanting to leave their comfort zone because they haven't learned to play and get dirty and have fun. I wasn't much of an athlete as a kid, but I always enjoyed being outside, swimming, walking, later running, and given that my hair has never wanted to stay in place anyway, even in the best of circumstances, I figure what have I got to lose! ;)

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 05:17:05 GMT

Cons: the "cap tan" line just below the hair line when swimming outdoors. Crayola is your friend....:smooch:

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 05:13:51 GMT

Pros: Hair stays out of the eyes & it doesn't feel like swimming with a wet mop on top of the head. Also, at my pool, it prevents premature hair loss (our pool is always high on the chemicals). Cons: the "cap tan" line just below the hair line when swimming outdoors.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:28:41 GMT

The chlorine and sun put the blonde highlights in my hair. Looks better than some of the guys that pay big money to have it done. haha didn't pay big moeny our hairdresser is a home caller... we can give her good money without her having to lose half to overhead so it's happy days all round

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:27:27 GMT

Cons: You have to spend more money on haircuts. I don't wear a cap, and just combing out the split ends every day keeps my hair nice and short.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:33:12 GMT

Hmm My highlights are barely visible now from all the chlorine... I get death stares and I am now avoided if there is no open lane...noodlers go to the other lanes first b/c I've been known to do Fly for 4x 25 or more and I'm "unitdy" which means lots of flying aqua... This teenage guy almost ran me over heading into the pool Friday...he wanted to get to the lane before me I guess. I showered, as per the rules, walked on deck and go into the same lane. I guess he felt put out. I only got annoyed because the other fast lane was occupied by one guy who di the right arm front crawl, left arm fly kind of freestyle thng...nobody else can swim that lane. LOL

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:27:52 GMT

Wet you hair thorughly anyhow before you swim. It's a myth that swim caps are there to kee your hair dry. Only old ladies doing "stiff neck and traps" breaststroke actually keep their hair dry....unless someone has the audacity to swim fly in the lane next to them lol

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:57:35 GMT

Jim In europe, you have to b/c of sanitation. here, it is optional. some pros: keep your hair out of your face. if you have a lot of hair, it will keep it from being a drag-increaser. Smooth out your head and make it real hydrodynamic. more vain pros: with a cool print, etc., you can show your personality, represent your team, etc. cons: can be anoying sometimes. it gets hot under there. Hence why the UK is not a real part of Europe...because of swimming cap rules! :joker:

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

poolraat — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:24:38 GMT

Hmm My highlights are barely visible now from all the chlorine... The chlorine and sun put the blonde highlights in my hair. Looks better than some of the guys that pay big money to have it done.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Allen Stark — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:13:13 GMT

For racing caps add streamling. Also for racing,if you put them on dry they keep your hair relatively dry which means it takes slightly less effort to breath on fly and ***. Every little bit helps.:banana:

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

FlyQueen — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:17:33 GMT

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:24:42 GMT

uhhh... why are silicone caps obviously not complete protection? i'm new at all this. my hair is approaching shoulder length. Actually I'm not sure any cap is complete protection--my hair still gets a little wet whatever cap I use (not that it matters a lot to me), but the very thing that makes silicone caps easy to put on, sometimes makes them slip a little so that they don't completely cover my hair. But since they're more comfortable, I figure it's worth it.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Former Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 05:18:06 GMT

uhhh... why are silicone caps obviously not complete protection? i'm new at all this. my hair is approaching shoulder length.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

aztimm — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 03:21:53 GMT

I've swam in several pools around Europe, including The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium, and never had to wear a cap. While I was in Japan, many pools there (but not one I sometimes went to) required caps for everyone, no matter how short your hair (even bald). Strangely, you also couldn't wrap a towel around your waist, since there was no way to know if you actually had something on underneath. Other than the forced usage, I've tried to wear caps a few times, but just could not find any that fit comfortably. I've heard wearing a cap can cut down on drag (similar to shaving down). I usually keep my hair fairly short so it doesn't get in the way.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:14:42 GMT

I have long hair so there's no way I can swim without a cap--gets too distracting! I prefer the silicone caps b/c they go one more easily and while they aren't obviously complete protection, I think they limit the chlorine exposure my hair gets. On occasions when I've gone without a cap, I've noticed a difference in the texture of my hair. But if you're very, very shorthaired, that's probably not an issue.

RE: swimming caps... pros and cons?

Muppet — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:18:27 GMT