So I am trying to make a plan for swimming a few meets this year, and I have come to the point to figure out how to deal with the fact that I am really really hairy.
Do most masters swimmers shave for most meets? It would be a major deal for me to shave, and it stubbles really fast. I am not worried a lot about cosmetics. I don't mind being the hairy guy. But I do mind that I will not swim nearly as fast, and if everyone else my age is shaved down, I might feel out of place.
So how hairy are the masters swimmers?
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Former Member
Based on your question, it sounds like you haven't been to a Masters meet before, or haven't been to one in a long time. You'll be happy to find that there aren't 'most' swimmers at a meet doing any one particular thing. Some shave and wear tech suits, some men are unshaved and wearing swimming trunks, some are swimming lightening fast, and some are moving so slow they are probably worrying the life guards in the stands. Do whatever you want. I only get to swim a few meets a year, and prefer to shave for each one. I'm quite a bit slower unshaved. But as another poster suggested, if you're not worried about tenths of a second, and don't want to deal with post-meet stubble, don't bother. You'll have plenty of company among other guys there.
Based on your question, it sounds like you haven't been to a Masters meet before, or haven't been to one in a long time. You'll be happy to find that there aren't 'most' swimmers at a meet doing any one particular thing. Some shave and wear tech suits, some men are unshaved and wearing swimming trunks, some are swimming lightening fast, and some are moving so slow they are probably worrying the life guards in the stands. Do whatever you want. I only get to swim a few meets a year, and prefer to shave for each one. I'm quite a bit slower unshaved. But as another poster suggested, if you're not worried about tenths of a second, and don't want to deal with post-meet stubble, don't bother. You'll have plenty of company among other guys there.
