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?
I saw something that I haven't seen in 13 years, a female with hair on her legs. Well, the comedian Monique is known for not shaving her legs. Of course, this was at the age group practice that I do once a week. Are any Master Swimming ladies going without shaving until their big meets? Or, are shaving, waxing, lasering like normal due to the tech suits still legal.
You absolutely do not need to shave...unless you are looking for that 10th of a second to make an Olympic trial cut!!!
OK, I agree with this, but shaving is good for a lot more than a tenth of a second. It can make a very substantial difference.
The bottom line is most swimmers (masters or otherwise) will shave down for major meets only.
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 areas 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.
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?
Jimbo,
If you're going to shave, do it for a shave-and-taper worthy meet, like a LMSC, Zone or National Championship meet. But like SLO mentioned, do train hard in the meantime!
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.
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.
Actually I'm pretty sure shaving in the shower is against the rules.Please do it at home or hotel.
Not shaving my pits, ever.
LOL!
The only part I didn't like when I did it in college (I will be doing again for nationals this year for the first time 15 years after college swimming) was that it made them sweat more and was really prickly when it started coming back.
Actually I'm pretty sure shaving in the shower is against the rules.Please do it at home or hotel.
I think this falls under the Don't ask, Don't Tell rule.
