Author: kturtenwald

Kimberly is a freelance writer and editor who loves to travel and see new places. Iceland is her favorite place to go and has begun to feel like a second home. She’s excited to share her knowledge and experience with others to make their time in Iceland more enjoyable.
The Proper Way to Use Swim Paddles

The Proper Way to Use Swim Paddles

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Swim Paddles
The right swim paddles is essential to strengthen your performance.

There are many tools competitive swimmers can use to strengthen their swimming skills and improve their chances of winning in a race. One of the most common types of tools to use is the swim paddles. These paddles are a great way to strengthen the arms, shoulders and upper body so swimmers can more easily propel themselves through the water. However, there is an incorrect way to use these paddles, making it important for all swimmers to learn the proper way.

Master Your Stroke

One of the biggest mistakes swimmers make when they attempt to use swim paddles is using the paddles as a way to build on their swimming skills. However, paddles can actually cause injury if the swimmer does not already use the proper technique. Swimmers who use the paddles without the proper technique will definitely feel it when they aren’t swimming properly, but this will lead to pulled muscles and other injuries that can be detrimental to the long-term success of a swimmer. Only swimmers who have mastered their swimming techniques should use this training tool in their daily work.

Keep It Short

Swim paddles are a swim tool that are not meant to be used for a long period of time. While you may use the paddles as part of your daily routine, you should only use them for a small portion of your practice time. They can build up the strength in your upper body and arms, but using them too much can again lead to injuries. This is because the paddles put a lot of stress on the arms and shoulders and will cause fatigue much more quickly.

The Right Paddles

There are many variations of swim paddles. Not all of them are designed to do the same things. For starters, the paddles should only be about 10 percent larger than your hand for the best results. Secondly, you need to pay attention to the type of paddle. For a beginner, a freestyle paddle is one of the best options. However, for someone who is a good swimmer, a catalyst paddle can be a better choice. Always talk to your coach about which type of paddle is best for your level of expertise.

Choosing the right swim paddles and knowing how to use them properly is essential to your success. Failure to use the right paddles or misuse of this training tool can lead to injuries and a poor performance when race time approaches.

Finding the Right Water Aerobics Shoes

Finding the Right Water Aerobics Shoes

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Water Aerobics Shoes
The right water aerobics shoes are essential to success.

One of the most popular ways for people to get in shape without putting a lot of stress on their bodies is by participating in water aerobics. If you are interested in this fun way to get in shape and stay that way, it is important to find the right water aerobics shoes to wear in the water. While some people choose to complete these aerobics in bare feet, it is more beneficial to wear the right kind of shoes, just like with any other type of exercise.

A Sturdy Sole

Flexibility is extremely important when it comes to water aerobic shoes. However, the sole should not be flimsy. When you are working out in the water, your feet require the proper support to ensure you don’t end up hurting yourself in the water. As you shop for the right shoes for your water aerobics class, look for soles that are thicker but still offer you the level of flexibility that makes it easy to wear them in the water. This will provide you with the right combination of support and freedom for the best results.

An Adjustable Fit

Some people think they can purchase any type of water shoes and use those for their water aerobics class. However, this isn’t the best option for most people. You need to make sure these shoes fit you well so you don’t risk stumbling and falling or suffering from the effects of shoes that are too tight. The right water aerobics shoes will be adjustable, often with elastic laces, so you can create the perfect fit for your feet so you can enjoy all the benefits of a water aerobics class.

Good Traction

The bottom of a swimming pool can be slippery. While some have a textured bottom to provide some additional traction, others have a simple tile bottom. No matter what type of bottom the pool has, you should make sure the water shoes you purchase offer good traction. A textured bottom to the shoes will prevent you from slipping while you are performing the exercises so you can be safe.

Water aerobics can be a great way to stay in shape, especially if you suffer from joint problems or other problems that make regular exercise more difficult. If this is your chosen method of exercising, it is critical to find the right water aerobics shoes to meet your needs and help you make the most of your time in the water.

The Three Best Outdoor Swim Goggles

The Three Best Outdoor Swim Goggles

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Outdoor Swim Goggles
Outdoor swim goggles are essential to keep the sun out of your eyes.

Goggles are an absolute necessity when you are going to be spending time in the pool, especially when you are involved in competitive swimming. However, when you are swimming outdoors, you will need an entirely different type of swim goggle than you would if you are swimming primarily indoors. If you are in the market for the best outdoor swim goggles, consider these three excellent options.

Aquasphere Kaiman Mirrored Lens Goggles

The Aquasphere Kaiman Mirrored Lens Goggles work much like sunglasses do, reflecting the light away from your eyes instead of into them. The soft frame and large eye pieces make these goggles comfortable to wear, no matter how long you spend in the water. These goggles offer greater visibility in low light, easy adjustment, UVA and UVB protection, 180-degree visibility and anti-fog and scratch-resistant coating. Use the Aquasphere Kaiman goggles for both recreational and competitive swimming, including open-water swimming.

Speedo Speed Socket Mirrored Goggle

Another mirrored option that provides similar protection to sunglasses, the Speedo Speed Socket Mirrored Goggle is perfect for all your outdoor swimming needs. Available in four colors, you will enjoy the streamlined design for less resistance in the water, rigid frame for keeping a tight seal and greater field of vision for better visibility in the water. The low-profile allows you to streamline your performance and swim even faster. The adjustable nose piece, UV protection and anti-fog properties make this an excellent option for function and comfort.

Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored Goggle

If you are a Speedo fan, you will love the Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored Goggle that is available in a wide selection of 12 fantastic colors to best fit your personality. The low-profile design provides you with 25 percent greater peripheral vision so you always know where you are in the water. These goggles provide you with a two-color strap that adjusts to fit you best, four interchangeable nose pieces, UV protection and anti-fog properties.

Choosing the best goggles for your outdoor swimming needs is important to make sure the light doesn’t negatively impact your ability to swim well. With these three options, you will be able to find the fit and style that works best for your needs. In addition, you will be able to choose from a wide variety of colors so you can find a pair of goggles that will match your competitive swimwear as well. You just can’t go wrong with the right pair of mirrored goggles.

Extend the Life of Your Swim Goggles

Extend the Life of Your Swim Goggles

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Swim Goggles
Protect your swim goggles to ensure they last for a long time.

Swim goggles are an important component to any swimmer’s gear. A good pair of goggles can cost quite a bit of money, causing you to want to protect them as much as possible to keep your investment safe and in good condition. There are many products you can purchase that will allow you to avoid the need for new goggles too often.

Anti-Fog Spray

Even though many of today’s goggles are treated with special anti-fog coatings, fog can still be a real issue, especially when the air is cooler than the water. For this reason, you need to consider investing in some anti-fog spray that will allow you to further prevent the build-up of fog on your goggles so you can be sure to keep them in good condition and be able to see as you swim through the water. The Speedo Anti-Fog Solution is available in 2 oz. size and will remove all the chemicals and dirt from the surface of your goggles, keeping them working like new for longer. You may also want to consider the TYR Goggle Anti-Fog Spray. This spray comes in a convenient spray bottle. When you use this spray on your goggles or even your regular eye glasses, you will clean them and add an extra coating that will prevent fog from occurring.

Goggle Cases

When you aren’t wearing your glasses, you likely put them in a case to make sure they don’t get broken. So why wouldn’t you do the same for your goggles? Though they aren’t as breakable as your regular glasses, they need to be protected to ensure they last you a long time so you don’t have to replace them and spend more than you should on your goggles. The Speedo Goggle Case is a fabric case that cushions and protects your goggles, while still allowing them to drain so they can dry properly. The TYR Goggle Case provides you with excellent protection with a polyester casing with zipper closure and soft-lined interior. This case is available in two colors.

Goggles can be an expensive investment in your swimming career, but they are essential to your success in the water. For this reason, you need to take the right steps to protect them from damage so you don’t find you have to replace them often. With the help of anti-fog sprays and a goggle case, you will be able to keep your goggles looking and working like new for a long time.

A Classic Swim Team Suit: Speedo Quantum Splice

A Classic Swim Team Suit: Speedo Quantum Splice

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Competitive Swimwear
The Quantum Splice suits are the perfect option for competitive swimmers.

While there are many new designs for swim team suits on the market, not everyone likes to wear these suits. Some people much prefer the look of classic competitive swimwear instead. Whether you want a suit that is a little more modest or you simply like the look of the traditional suits, the Speedo Quantum Splice suit is the perfect option. Available in both men’s and women’s styles, you will be able to find the type and colors that will work best for your needs.

Speedo Quantum Splice Super Pro Back Swimsuit

The Speedo Quantum Splice Super Pro Back Swimsuit is the female version of this spectacular suit that can provide you with the classic look you desire in your competitive swimwear. This suit features thin straps with an open back for the right support and styling with comfort in mind and less drag. These suits are available in a wide variety of colors so you can find the one that best matches your style and your personality. The women’s Quantum Splice suit comes in combinations of black with purple, blue, pink, gold, red and green or navy with white, gold, red or blue. Choose the combination that fits your style or the one that best reflects your team’s colors for a uniform look to your team.

Speedo Quantum Splice Jammer

For the young men, the Speedo Quantum Splice Jammer is an excellent option for a classic competitive swim suit. Even though this is more of a traditional type of suit, it features a sporty design with the spliced color down the side of the jammer legs. With greater leg coverage and reinforced seams, you will receive the support you are looking for and the compression you need for a streamlined shape in the water. The suit features front lining, as well as a drawstring waist for the best fit. The men’s suits are available in combinations of black with blue, red or green and navy with white or gold.

Some people simply prefer the look of a classic suit, especially when it comes to younger swimmers. Whether you require a women’s suit or a suit for young men, the Speedo Quantum Splice line can provide you with the exact fit and coverage you desire, including your choice of a variety of colors. Both suits are made from the finest in competitive swimwear materials and can provide you with the support and coverage you require to swim well.

 

Summer Swim Team Swim Meet Start Systems

Summer Swim Team Swim Meet Start Systems

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Summer Swim Team Start System
A quality start system is essential to your swim team’s success.

One of the most important components of any swim meet is the start system. The start system is what alerts the swimmers to when it is time to begin the race, giving everyone an equal opportunity at winning the race. When your pool becomes the home to races of any kind, including practice races that get your swimmers used to the methods of a real race, it is important to have the right swim meet start systems to best fit your needs and help your swimmers identify when the race begins.

Colorado Timing Infinity Start System

The state-of-the-art Colorado Timing Infinity Start System is a great option for pools that cater to swimmers of all skill levels and abilities. The small case makes it a portable option you can take from pool to pool if you will be heading to a pool that isn’t your home pool and they do not have a start system of their own. This system features both an audible sound and a corresponding strobe light that flashes at the exact same time, allowing both hearing and hearing-impaired individuals to clearly identify the start of the race. You will also enjoy the false start feature that immediately alerts all swimmers when a false start occurred, bringing them back to restart the race. The unit features 40-watt corosion resistant speakers, a gel-cell battery, wired microphone, start button and 115V charging capabilities. A tripod is available.

IST Swimstart Electric Start System

The IST Swimstart Electric Start System is another great portable option for your pool. This start system features a PA system for announcements, a tone and strobe light alert to indicate starts and a recall tone to bring swimmers back after a false start. The small circuits used in this system allow it to be housed in a small box for greater portability. External connections allow you to connect and disconnect each of the components without exposing them to the water, increasing the risk of electrocution.

The start system is an important component to all your summer swim team races. If you need one for your pool, these two great options will provide you with the exact features you need to cater to all your swimmers without spending a lot of money on an installed system. Both systems are small and easy to transport, giving you greater flexibility in your start system.

Top Off Your Guard Apparel with Lifeguard T-Shirts

Top Off Your Guard Apparel with Lifeguard T-Shirts

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Lifeguard T-Shirts
Lifeguard t-shirts keep your guards cool and protected.

While female lifeguards have greater coverage with their suits, men and some women desire something that will cover them a bit more while they sit in the sun and keep an eye on the water. With the use of lifeguard t-shirts, you will be able to obtain the additional coverage you would like, while still showing everyone you are the person to go to when they need help on the beach or at the pool. Choose from one of several different t-shirts that feature the lifeguard logo on them.

Speedo Guard T-Shirt

The white Speedo Guard T-Shirt may seem like a plain option, but it is a good one to provide you with greater coverage in the sun and to let people know you are the lifeguard on duty. The shirt is made from 100 percent cotton for breathability and is tagless so you don’t have to worry about an irritating tag that will leave you spending more time itching. To let everyone know you are the guard, the word “guard” and the cross logo are printed across the chest of the t-shirt in a bold red that will really stand out. The Speedo logo is featured on the sleeve as well.

Guard T-Shirt

If you are looking for something a little different so you can stand out even more, choose the Guard T-Shirt. This 100 percent cotton t-shirt features a fun guard logo on the front that is in both red and blue to help it stand out even further. This shirt is a great option if you are looking to save money on your guard t-shirt, while still having a durable shirt that will last a long time and suit your purposes.

Guard Quick Dry Tech Tee

Some lifeguards are concerned with the possibility of getting their t-shirt wet. This is why you can also choose the Guard Quick  Dry Tech Tee. This shirt is made from breathable polyester that will dry quickly if you don’t have enough time to remove the shirt before you enter the water. The shirt also wicks any sweat away, making it more comfortable to wear out in the hot sun all day long, along with UV protection.

Finding the right lifeguard t-shirts is essential to ensure your guards are comfortable, are protected from the sun and can do their job well. With all the choices available, you will be able to find the perfect option for all your guards.

Experience the Difference with Summer Swim Team Lane Ropes

Experience the Difference with Summer Swim Team Lane Ropes

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Swim Team Lane Ropes
The right pool lane ropes are essential for markings and easier swimming.

One of the most important pieces of equipment for any pool, especially those in which swim teams practice and compete, is the swimming pool lane ropes. These ropes are designed to help swimmers find their way in the water without having to make the effort of looking around. However, they can actually be useful to the swimmer by eliminating the slip stream and other disturbances created by the other swimmers. Available in the common lengths of 25 and 75 feet, there are a couple of swim lane lines that should be the top of your must-have list.

AntiWave Forerunner Racing Lane Line

The AntiWave Forerunner Racing Lane Line is a colorful option to customize your pool to fit with your team’s colors or the look you are trying to portray in your pool. With their new design, the 4.75 inch disks are able to disperse any waves and eliminate the disturbances that can negatively or even positively impact the swimmers in the next lanes over. These swim team lane ropes feature a solid color for 15 feet and alternating colors throughout. If used for backstroke meets, a solid-colored marker at 15 meters for turn around. All AntiWave pool ropes qualify for a 3 year warranty.

Competitor Racing Lane Line

The Competitor Racing Lane Line is another popular option for competitive swimming pools to mark the lanes. It is also available in a variety of colors to best match the look you desire for your pool. With the five fin design for the 4-inch disks, resistance in the water is eliminated due to the other swimmers. In addition, the Competitor swimming pool lane ropes are also known for making your turnaround times even faster because of the way they are designed to eliminate the resistance. Because of the way these swim lane lines are put together, you can customize the length if you find you need a shorter length for various purposes.

Choosing the right swim team lane ropes is essential to ensure you follow the guidelines set forth by FINA, especially if you are using the pool for competitive purposes. Both the AntiWave Forerunner and Competitor pool ropes are great options, allowing you to select the exact colors you desire, whether they fit with your team colors or your organizations standards. Available in 25 and 75 foot lengths, each of their unique designs can offer you the advantages of less resistance and a smoother swim.

Try Two-Year Speedo Summer League Swimsuits

Try Two-Year Speedo Summer League Swimsuits

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Competitive Swimwear
Find competitive swimwear that is available through next summer.

Sometimes your swim team wants to keep the same design for your summer league swimsuits for more than one year. However, many competitive swimwear companies change their suit designs and styles year after year. If you are looking for a great swimsuit you can use both this year and next year, there are three Speedo styles that will still be available through the summer of 2014.

Speedo Primal Splash

The Speedo Primal Splash line is available in the Flyback design for women and youth, as well as the jammer for men. The design features a splash of color that is attractive and enticing for every swimmer. The women’s and youth versions are available in five different colors, including emerald green, purple, blue, red and red, white and blue, while the men’s jammer is available in all except the purple. These suits are made from Xtra Life Lycra material for the utmost in durability.

Speedo Vortex

Another great option in the two-year Speedo summer league swim team suit line is the Speedo Vortex suits. These suits are available in four styles, including the Super Pro Back for women and youth and the Jammer and Brief for men. The swirling pattern is fun without creating too much distraction in the water. All four suit styles are available in four colors, such as red, orange, blue and Kelly green. These beautiful suits are a great option for any of your swimmers.

Speedo Fractal Point

The Speedo Fractal Point suits feature streaks of black and color throughout to create a unique pattern you won’t see on any other type of swimsuit. These suits are also available in the Flyback suit for women and youth, as well as the jammer for men. The women’s and youth suits are available in six fun colors, including Kelly green, blue, purple, red, deep gold and orange. Men can find these suits in all the same colors for a uniform look for your team.

No matter what type of suit you are looking for, you need to find summer league suits that will work for your team for more than just this year. If you want the same look for your team, both this year and next year, check out these three Speedo suits that will be available through the summer of 2014 so your team can buy replacements if necessary.

Low Price Summer Swim Team Suits

Low Price Summer Swim Team Suits

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Competitive Swimwear
Choosing low-cost competitive swimwear can help you keep your costs down.

Because of the wear and tear competitive swimwear goes through, it is often necessary to buy new swim suits on a regular basis, sometimes every year and sometimes every season. This means you don’t want to spend a lot on the suits you do buy, but you still want the best quality possible to ensure it will stand up to all the time in the pool. With the right suits, you will be able to use them day in and day out without having to spend a lot of money on them.

Dolfin Chloroban Solid DBX Back Swimsuit

The Dolfin Chloroban Solid DBX Back Swimsuit is one of the best options for high durability and low cost. If you are looking for a great solid-colored suit that is perfect for your practices and your competitions, this suit is the right choice. Made from durable chlorine-resistant material, you will find this suit holds up quite well to the exposure to chlorine, sunscreen and your body’s oils without having to spend a lot of money on the suit. This low-cost suit is available in seven great colors to meet your needs, including black, navy, red, purple and forest.

Dolfin Primo DBX Back

Made from the same high-quality material as the Chloroban suit, the Dolfin Primo DBX Back suit will provide you with great durability in the water without spending a lot of money. Instead of the solid design, though, you will find a fun pattern you will love to wear at the pool. The design of this suit will provide you with the freedom of movement you require in the water, along with the right support to ensure your body moves as it should when you swim. This suit is available in three different colors, including blue, green and red so you can pick the color that is perfect for you.

Finding a quality suit that doesn’t cost a lot of money to use for your competitions or even your practice is essential. Because these suits have a tendency to wear out quickly due to their exposure to harsh elements, replacing them can be expensive. When you choose one of these top picks, you will be purchasing a quality suit that is resistant to chlorine, comfortable and durable. With the wide selection of colors, you can choose the one that will work well with your team colors or your own sense of style and personality.