Deck Changing

It ain't a deck change unless you remove your suit completely. I'll also admit I've never been able to figure out how to wrap a towel around myself such that it won't fall off. Someone needs to teach me the secret! The only time I tried this I tripped and fell over -- not the height of modesty or gracefullness-- Outdoors (lake, ocean, river, dead sea) , I'd rather just change fast without the towel and pretend I don't care. Indoors I'll use the locker room. Anything's better than falling over with your suit around your ankles!

I don't get the problem with wearing your suit to the pool. Ever since I've been swimming mornings, or whenever I go to a pool from home, I put on a brief at home, board shorts over it for the trip to the pool. Once at the pool, I just take off the shorts and shirt, throw on my drag suit, grab my goggles, and I'm set to go. I don't think any guys with my team's morning group go in the lockerroom to change, everyone does the same as what I do. Some wear pajama pants or sweats, but they have a suit underneath. I pack up a bag with my work clothes, including underwear, the night before. I leave it near the door, so I just need to grab it on my way out the door in the morning. Just because you think something is wrong doesn't mean it is.

I can't imagine not showering after swimming, so there's no reason for a deck change. I shower after practice and then go back on deck to deck change. What he said: By the time the age-groupers, senior team, and diving team have dripped and trapsed mud and crap through the locker room it just smells and looks too bad to go into. I don't know why people complain. Good deck changers are not flashing anyone and there is no difference between underwear and wearing a speedo. I change in the locker room at most meets. I changed in the stands in Atlanta because the locker rooms were not conveniently located.

My impression is that in the age group world, deck changing has turned into a growing problem all over the place. It is a combination of other swimmers on deck being uncomfortable with deck-changers who are not very good at it (i.e., exposure), as well as creepy adults hanging around to watch for people who aren't very good at deck changing. -Rick

We have this one master's swimmer who is also an age group swimmer's parent who always changes on deck. It just gives her more time to beat the ear of the coach about her wonderful children. She won't associate with us in the locker room. No one else changes on deck...

I leave the pool commando-style after every practice. Yeah, well women don't have to worry as much about things getting caught in a zipper! :bolt: And I agree with lefty. It ain't a deck change unless you remove your suit completely. I'll also admit I've never been able to figure out how to wrap a towel around myself such that it won't fall off. Someone needs to teach me the secret!

For practices, I change in the locker room, but at meets (long ones, like Nationals) I deck change all the time. The locker rooms are often not close to where we are seated, and it saves a trip. I don't see why it's a problem. I'll typically do a long early warm up in a poly tank suit, and deck change into dry undies and sweats and relax and stretch, then re-deck change into a dry tank suit to warm up shortly before my event. With the ankle-length suits, I do use the locker room to change into my race suit. If I have another race that same day, I'll deck change out of my race suit and put on dry clothes before repeating the process. Deck changing out of an ankle-length suit is not nearly as challenging as putting one on. Leslie also brings up a good point. I think that a lot of girls/women will put on a sweatshirt or tee and pull their suits down to their waists to give their shoulders a break between events. Would this result in a suspension? If so, that's ridiculous!

I've been to a lot of meets and workouts in my life and I can't recall ever being flashed from a poor deck change. Actually I don't understand how you can reach up under a towel and pull your suit off without exposing yourself, but swimmers seem to pull this feat off all the time.

Deck and Beach changing is what we do...At Nadadores, at every practice, everyone (Guys and Gals) are deck-changing. Maybe our team is closer than others??? Commando or bp is they way to go!!! :D

Here's the extreme extension of this idea to test your modesty: a runner friend once told me they did the Berlin Marathon and that loads of men and women strip down to the buff for post-race, public showers. Not sure if that's 100% true, but, if so, I'll stick to just deck changing. Hmm, ok, yeah, I'm more modest than that. I guess there are degrees and degrees.