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?
You absolutely do not need to shave...unless you are looking for that 10th of a second to make an Olympic trial cut!!!
In all honesty shaving for a swim meet is fine, but not necessary unless you really want to get a personnel best and other members of your team are doing the same. As a hairy guy, I tend to have a hard time taking people seriously that feel they need every last gimmick to get a faster time. Train hard and correctly, and you will improve.
This is also great news, and what I was really hoping to hear. Correct, I have not been to a meet in 20 years.
(ack -- just realized that the thread title reads Body Hair: Jimbo's Back. yuk. lol)
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.
Thanks for the tips. I'm itchy just thinking about it though. :)
i'm not a hairy guy, but i've shaved down for many meets
this season I"ll shave for ZONES & Nats,
When I wear a full body suit I only shave exposed skin though I may clip some areas under the suit, I think it's a good idea to shave your
face, arms, pits, back, shoulders, half calf, hands, feet & the top & sides of your chest.
for hairy dudes it's a good idea to clip first then shave
get someone to help you clip and shave in place you can't reach or see.
If you have thick hair, as it grows back you'll get prickly quickly,
consider applying NAIR to your arms, legs, stomach & chest, it will round off the ends of the sharp stubble making it softer
Shaving will help you Swim Faster Faster.
for hairy dudes it's a good idea to clip first then shave
get someone to help you clip and shave in areas you can't reach or see.
Once upon a time I invited non-swimming husband and wife friends (they are into masters tennis, which is a whole 'nother kettle of fish) to drop by Mt. Hood for LCM Nats. Husband was horrified when he observed one male swimmer shaving another's back in the showers. While I believe this to be pretty much par for the course, at least in my limited masters swimming experience, this sight evidently caused husband some form of long-lasting psychological trauma, as he still brings it up to me now and again.
