Here's a thread for the ladies to discuss anything that relates to women and swimming. For example, feel free to discuss how disgustingly ugly fastskins are, how the "curse" can kill a meet, how suits don't fit, how swimming wrecks your hair, how hormones unhinge you, etc.
One of the things I love about Masters is that most everybody is non-judgmental (at least outwardly). I've never seen anyone look "sideways" at anyone and I've never heard comments about people's bodies. Or if you do it's more to the effect of, "Wow, they look great. They must be working out."
USMS is a very accepting, comfortable environment (unless of course someone goes out on a limb to be a jerk- see other tech suit thread).
As to the wedding ring. I wear a wedding band (diamond is kept in the jewelry box where my daughter ogles at it!), and a Clauddaugh on my right hand. I have a caribiner attached to my swim bag and I put my rings on it when I swim.
Imspoiled and Karen ha some great first meet suit advice. Just find a regular practice type suit. You don't need a tech suit or anything fancy. Just find something that fits.
Martha - have we met? I practice at the Freedom Ctr. I can so relate to the FS suit and it's fit. I went to Aardvark a while ago and tried them all on and that one fits the worst on me. I ended up with the same tech suit that I had, just a new copy - the Tyr Aquapel. I love it and things don't stick out as much.
Riptide has some suits in stock that you can try on or for a much bigger selection to try on, make the trip to Aardvark. Are you swimming this weekend?
Speedo has some styles that are a bit more modest in the leg area and have a good supportive back that would be appropriate if you are not comfortable in
www.speedousa.com/.../index.jsp
First time Masters swim meet coming up. I'm 50. What the heck do i wear? I can't wear my tugless lands end, but those competitive suits are just too damaging to my pride. Anything in between?
First time Masters swim meet coming up. I'm 50. What the heck do i wear? I can't wear my tugless lands end, but those competitive suits are just too damaging to my pride. Anything in between?
You don't need an expensive tech suit to swim your first meet. The training & competition suits made by Speedo & Tyr come in a variety of styles that should "suit" your needs. Try one of the thick strap lycra varieties for racing. They provide moderate coverage and stay on nicely for starts if you have the right size.
Another option would be to try the "fitness" cut suits by one of these makers. They are more modest than the competition variety.
Dolphin also makes nice suits for training that can be used for competition. Their "Uglies" brand suits come in fun patterns, last a long time, and have a more modest cut than a Speedo.
For your first meet you want to feel confident and comfortable. You need a suit that will stay put when you dive in for starts. If your current suit fits you well and stays put, there is no reason you can't wear it to a meet. You can also see what other swimmers are wearing at the meet and ask them what kind it is.
Good luck and enjoy your first meet!
This past weekend was my first experience swimming in a mixed heat. The pool in Warrenton VA had very nice lane lines and I had no problems with guys swimming next to me--I only swam freestyle events so I can see it possibly being more of an issue during other events. I think it depends on the facility.
Ladies,
How do you feel about swimming mixed heats with the guys? Does the added turbulence bother you? Do you not notice it? Other thoughts?
I don't care about swimming with the guys any more than I mind swimming with the girls of various ages.
What I do not like is the sandbagging of times by swimmers to very selfishly provide themselves with calm water.
THAT practice is what creates havoc with turbulence in all the wrong places during a race.
And does not serve the concept of racing to bring out a faster swim.
Frankly, I find that men sandbag more than women. We all know Fort sandbags and is content to do so...
So does Ande. Two of my favorite masters swimmers.
Proof that even though we do not always agree, we can survive and still learn from each other in the same world!
I always enter my best times so in the blur at the finish when I can't remember my PR, I can check the timer's card.
Nearly always at 1-day meets I end up swimming in either the fastest or 2nd fastest heat - with all the fastest guys. There are always faster guys in the earlier heats.
No, I don't like it, but I still try to swim as hard as I can in the heat I am assigned.
Sometimes I still hit my best times. Sometimes the heats are actually seeded correctly.
Sandbagging sucks - and it is selfish.
Maybe if everyone did it, we would have a fair seeding. But I have a feeling the true sandbaggers would find another way to calm water.
Maube try one of these. They are the first bathing suits made by Cole of California.
George... what the h*** are YOU doing on this women's Locker Room thread?
