Swim Wisdom

RE: Swim Wisdom

Former Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:40:38 GMT

Not sure if mentioned elsewhere, but I've now found a simple and 100% effective way (and more civil way) to prevent goggles from fogging up: simply give your goggles a quick rinse with soapy water before swimming (then rinse it off with clear water). Since I used this method, my goggles never, ever fogged again (the original anti fog coating had been scratched off long ago). Highly recommend this method over spitting your saliva.

RE: Swim Wisdom

__steve__ — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:13:32 GMT

To extend life of your suit, after rinse dip in a solution of sodium thiosulfate. This salts out chlorine to a harmless form. Found at pet stores for fish tanks.

RE: Swim Wisdom

cheakamus — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 01:46:55 GMT

I switched from square-leg trunks (seam up the back) to briefs ("magnetic space," seam up the sides), so now I don't have to worry about it so much! And yes, my suit went with no warning, and like Elaine, I didn't feel a thing until my lane mate told me. (I still didn't believe him till I put my hand back there.) Maybe not the right thread, but I just thought I'd update folks on the longevity of endurance swimsuits. My magnetic space brief, purchased Oct. 21, 2010, used 5-6 days a week, finally failed last week (June 15). Both side seams split at once, but the suit was still held together by the waist and leg seams, so no embarrassment factor! I got almost 8 months of almost constant use out of it, which I guess is a pretty good value. I've ordered another. BTW, the fabric itself still looks like new. If they figured out a way to strengthen the stitching, they'd never sell another suit.:D

RE: Swim Wisdom

Former Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:35:13 GMT

LOL LOL.... My endurance spilt down the seems when I was taking it off after practice last week. Thankfully it was after. Def. keep an eye on the seams. Endurance suits don't give you much warning.

RE: Swim Wisdom

funkyfish — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:57:42 GMT

I read somewhere on this forum about using baby shampoo as a goggle defogger. I can attest that it works really well, I can coat my goggles before I swim and go for 1-2 hrs before they get to where I'd have to wipe the insides. With regards to writing workouts down, I've been using a plastic clipboard and a sharpie marker. When I'm done I'll clean it off with alcohol and it's ready to go. :banana:

RE: Swim Wisdom

That Guy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:29:19 GMT

LOL LOL.... My endurance spilt down the seems when I was taking it off after practice last week. Thankfully it was after. Def. keep an eye on the seams. Endurance suits don't give you much warning. The seams... yes... odd thing about that. Around 3 years ago I bought two pairs of black Speedo Endurance briefs. Wore the first pair for about two years. Eventually the material became stretched out and baggy, so I switched to the second pair. After only a few months, the seams on the second pair turned white. And then they broke as described yesterday. So I threw away the second pair and today I went back to the first pair. The seams on the first pair are still black even though they've seen far more use. I'm going to order some new jammers so the old briefs can go back to backup suit status. But now I know to watch the color of the seams. If they fade, watch out! This post is boring and needs more smilies. :cheerleader::bouncing::bliss::banana::badday: :afraid: :argue:

RE: Swim Wisdom

Former Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:05:47 GMT

Perhaps someone has some snorkel wisdom. My Finis snorkel is slightly bent to one side. Not a huge problem but every so often, I get my hand caught on it, aggravating the problem. How do I straighten it without using brute force? Also, what is the best way to clean it - I'm pretty good about rinsing it out after each use & letting it air dry but noticed there's some slimy gunk building up on the inside of the mouthpiece. :drool: Does it come apart at all??? It looks like it should but don't want to mess with it too much lest I wreck it.:confused:

RE: Swim Wisdom

That Guy — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:38:40 GMT

Strange, but when I got to the pool today, my Endurance jammer was split in the back. I swam anyway, but this was its last day. :blush: Today was my Speedo Endurance brief's turn to fail. Before I put the suit on, it was fine. After taking the suit off, I noticed the back was split. I choose to believe that it split when I took it off. :afraid:

RE: Swim Wisdom

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:59:49 GMT

Today was my Speedo Endurance brief's turn to fail. Before I put the suit on, it was fine. After taking the suit off, I noticed the back was split. I choose to believe that it split when I took it off. :afraid: Welcome to the Speedo Endurance Split Back Club, That Guy! :mooning: :blush:

RE: Swim Wisdom

Jimbosback — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 02:11:17 GMT

Suit Suggestions: 1) Melt the frayed end of suit tie strings. 2) Tie a knot at each end of your suit tie strings, that way, if one end ever gets pulled inside the string channel, it will be so much easier to get back out. 3) keep a small pair of needle nose plyers in your swim bag to untie knotted up suit tie strings. 4) keep a small pair of scissors in your swim bag to snip threads on your suit, DON'T PULL THEM What else? Please share the little things you've learned over the years Along these same lines, I loosely tie the string ends together right after untying with a surgeon's (?) knot. I make a loop with both ends and pull the tag ends through. (Leave loose or you will need those pliers.) This keeps them from ever getting lost in the suit.

RE: Swim Wisdom

Elaine Krugman — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:55:31 GMT

Uh oh... Ok, this is something to watch for. Is there any advanced warning on the seams (should I be checking the seams every time I take my suit off?) Or will one day it just go? I am on my second Speedo Endurance suit and I figure I should start watching the seams at the one year mark, just to be safe... :D Most of the time, I swim alone, so I won't have to worry about a- uhhh- mishap. But, I can assure you and smontanaro that whenever I travel, I will be bringing two suits! That's my "Swim Wisdom" of the day. :bolt: Philo, just count on the seams going before the fabric. But, the Endurance is an excellent suit for training. I just think the over-chlorinated pool on the cruise ship shortened the life of my suit.

RE: Swim Wisdom

smontanaro — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:57:35 GMT

My ugly $28 close-out Speedo Endurance lasted for 11/2 years of 5-6 sessions per week- until I was on a cruise ship. Another reason never to go on a cruise! There's nowhere to get a replacement suit in an emergency!

RE: Swim Wisdom

Jimbosback — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:23:03 GMT

Oh no, we cursed it -- sorry about that! I guess I need to start carrying a spare suit in addition to spare goggles and cap. It's probably been like that for weeks. I thought the ladies in the therapy pool were whispering about my physique. This explains it. :)

RE: Swim Wisdom

philoswimmer — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:04:04 GMT

Strange, but when I got to the pool today, my Endurance jammer was split in the back. I swam anyway, but this was its last day. :blush: Oh no, we cursed it -- sorry about that! I guess I need to start carrying a spare suit in addition to spare goggles and cap.

RE: Swim Wisdom

cheakamus — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:19:11 GMT

RE: Swim Wisdom

philoswimmer — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:02:53 GMT

Yes, the endurance material lasts forever, but the seams are a different story. Mine separated right up the middle of the backside during practice, giving the guy behind me a nasty shock.:blush: My ugly $28 close-out Speedo Endurance lasted for 11/2 years of 5-6 sessions per week- until I was on a cruise ship. After a long session of sculling and egg-beater kick drills in the postage stamp-sized, over-chlorinated solarium pool, I got out and bent over to pick up my towel and other things from the lounge chair. Meanwhile a of partiers had jumped into the pool by that time. And, did I mention that my back was turned to them when I bent over to get my things?? I went back to my cabin to shower and it wasn't until I took my suit off that I noticed the huge split right down the back of my suit! :afraid: And, the sides were starting to split by then, as well. :blush: Uh oh... Ok, this is something to watch for. Is there any advanced warning on the seams (should I be checking the seams every time I take my suit off?) Or will one day it just go?

RE: Swim Wisdom

Jimbosback — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 01:57:54 GMT

Uh oh... Ok, this is something to watch for. Is there any advanced warning on the seams (should I be checking the seams every time I take my suit off?) Or will one day it just go? Strange, but when I got to the pool today, my Endurance jammer was split in the back. I swam anyway, but this was its last day. :blush:

RE: Swim Wisdom

pmccoy — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 01:50:55 GMT

Endurance suits are polyester blends but I think they use nylon thread to stitch them together. Mine lasted about 9 months which was below the "break-even" point for replacing a bargain basement nylon suit every couple months. I switched to an endurance drag suit which lasted about a year. Thought about stitching it up but now I wear an Arena polyester drag suit over an old nylon suit. If the drag suit falls apart, I still have some cover...not much though. Not sure if this tip has been said or not. I like my speedo v-cut fins but they are designed with weak points near the toes. I wrap duct tape around them to get extra life out of them when they tear. Next set, I'll just wrap the duct tape around the weak points before I start using them. Make sure you duct tape them whey they are dry and try to seal off any areas where water can get in and loosen the sticky stuff.

RE: Swim Wisdom

Elaine Krugman — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:50:59 GMT

RE: Swim Wisdom

cheakamus — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 07:33:46 GMT

Speedo Endurance suits rock. They last forever without stretching or fading. (Why did it take me so long to realize this??) Ditto for silicone caps. Yes, they are more expensive than latex, but they last much longer, and they don't pull your hair out. Yes, the endurance material lasts forever, but the seams are a different story. Mine separated right up the middle of the backside during practice, giving the guy behind me a nasty shock.:blush:

RE: Swim Wisdom

philoswimmer — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:09:35 GMT

RE: Swim Wisdom

bzaks1424 — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:22:14 GMT

What else? Please share the little things you've learned over the years Double check you're tied before you jump in. :rofl: It shaves a lot of time off when you're not afraid your suit will slip down!

RE: Swim Wisdom

ande — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:19:13 GMT

RE: Swim Wisdom

Former Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:41:51 GMT

Make a pact with your swim buddies that they WILL discretely tell you if your suit rips or is indecent; and make good if they ask that you return the favor. You don't have to feel good to swim good. Unless it will harm your health or that of others, give it a go (particularly at meets). Surprise yourself.

RE: Swim Wisdom

Former Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:19:56 GMT

Pack more than you think you will need of everything for a meet. Make a checklist of everything you want to have with you, even for workout. Even if you don't swim before work, keep extra underwear and pants in your bag/locker/desk. I've had to go to school with my suit, sweatpants, and whatever shirt I did dryland in. I personally write my workouts on aluminum foil in Sharpie. It never comes off. For women, know the proper color foundation/concealer you need to cover up the goggle lines.