So your child has joined a swimming club. Brilliant news. Also, welcome to the world of early starts, long weekends, taxi service, wet towels in strange places and mysterious equipment.
We have fitted and helped thousands of swimmers over the years, from brand new club swimmers to Olympians. Everyone starts somewhere, so this guide is here to give you the head start we wish every new swim parent had.
Parent-friendly. Coach approved. Chlorine aware.
Before you buy the entire swimming aisle and need a second mortgage, start with the basics. Most new club swimmers need good training swimwear, goggles, a cap if they use one, a towel, a water bottle and a mesh bag. Your coach may then add fins, a kickboard, pull buoy, paddles or a snorkel, depending on the squad.
The best money-saving move is simple: ask the coach what is needed first, then buy proper swimming kit that is made for regular pool training.
Short training fins are not the holiday flippers you wore in Spain in 2007. They are shorter, heavier and made for pool training. They help swimmers kick faster while adding resistance, which builds leg strength and a stronger kick.
A pull buoy sits between the thighs and lifts the legs, so the swimmer can focus on their arms, body position and breathing rhythm. It is one of those bits of kit that looks odd until you realise every swimmer seems to own one.
A kickboard supports the upper body, so the swimmer can isolate the legs and work on kick technique. It is simple, useful and perfect for building legs like tree trunks.
Technically, yes, it is a swim bag. But the club swimming version is usually a mesh bag. It carries fins, kickboards, snorkels and other clunky kit, while the net fabric lets wet equipment drain and dry more easily.
Club swimwear needs to be tight-fitting and chlorine-resistant. Girls usually wear a one-piece training swimsuit. Boys often start with jammers for extra coverage, then some move to trunks or briefs as confidence grows.
And yes, lots of people call men’s briefs “Speedos”. Speedo is a brand name, but it has become one of those words people use for the whole thing, a bit like Hoover.
For club swimmers, fit matters more than colour, even if your swimmer strongly disagrees. Look for goggles that seal comfortably, sit close to the eyes and stay secured for dives, turns and fast swimming.
A junior goggle can be great for smaller faces, but age is only a guide. Some younger swimmers need adult goggles sooner, and some older juniors still suit junior models.
Finger paddles are smaller and are often a better starting point because they help swimmers focus on technique and hand position. Hand paddles cover more of the hand and add more resistance, so they are usually used when the swimmer is ready for extra strength work.
The goal is not to instantly become The Hulk. Good technique comes first, massive poolside muscles second.
A training snorkel is made for pool swimming. It normally sits in the centre of the head, keeping the tube away from the arms while the swimmer works on body position and stroke technique.
For newer swimmers, a snorkel with a purge valve can make life easier because it helps clear water from the tube.
Club swimming can feel expensive at the start because everything arrives at once. The trick is not to buy the cheapest version of everything. It is to buy the right things in the right order.
Leisure swimwear may look fine, but it is not built for regular club training. Chlorine-resistant training fabric will usually last longer and hold its shape better.
Training swimwear should feel close-fitting. Loose fabric creates drag, feels heavy in the water, and often wears badly.
Some coaches prefer certain kit styles. A quick question before buying can save you from owning equipment your swimmer never uses.
Tie-back swimsuits can offer more flexibility as swimmers grow, which can help you get better value from a training suit.
A goggle case is cheaper than replacing scratched lenses. The bottom of a swim bag is where goggles go to meet their doom.
For the first few galas, training swimwear is usually fine. Let them enjoy racing first, then upgrade when it makes sense.
Chlorine is brilliant at helping keep pool water clean, but it is not kind to swimwear, goggles or accessories when it is left sitting on them. Think of it as a tiny fabric gremlin. Ignore it and it will slowly chew through the good stuff.
Technical race suits use stretch and compression fabrics. That is what gives them the tight second skin feel, but it also means they are more delicate than everyday polyester training swimwear. The less time they spend in chlorinated water, the longer they are likely to perform well.
The first gala can feel chaotic. There are heat sheets, marshalling, warm ups, whistles, towels everywhere and at least one parent wondering if they are allowed to breathe. Keep the goal simple: arrive organised, help your swimmer stay calm and let them enjoy the day.
Stick to familiar, easy to digest food. Race day is not the time to discover that a mystery protein bar tastes like cardboard and regret.
For a deeper race day routine, read our complete swimming race day preparation guide.
Lucky you. We have put together a starter-pack shopping page for new club swimmers, so you can get the main kit without guessing your way through the entire internet.
It is still worth checking with your coach, because some clubs have favourite brands or equipment preferences. But this is a strong starting point for most new swimmers.
Use code NEWSTARTER10 for 10% off the New Club Swimmer Starter Pack.
For wider parent support around competitive swimming, Swim England has a useful Swimmers and Parents resource section. For kit advice, sizing help or product questions, you can always contact us directly. We are a family-run swim shop, and we are used to helping parents decode the wonderful language of club swimming.
Start with training swimwear, goggles, a towel, a water bottle and a mesh bag. After that, ask the coach whether they need fins, a kickboard, pull buoy, paddles or a snorkel for their squad.
Look for short training fins rather than long holiday style fins. Short fins are designed for pool training and help swimmers build a faster, stronger kick.
The best option is chlorine-resistant training swimwear that fits close to the body. Girls usually wear one piece training swimsuits. Boys often start with jammers for coverage and comfort.
Training swimwear made from polyester-based chlorine-resistant fabric is usually the best choice for regular pool training. Avoid fashion or holiday swimwear for club sessions, because it is not made for repeated chlorine exposure.
The best goggles are the ones that fit your swimmer’s face comfortably and seal well. A low-profile junior or training goggle is a good starting point, but face shape matters more than age.
Finger paddles are smaller and help swimmers focus on technique and hand position. Hand paddles cover more of the hand and add more resistance, so they are usually better once the swimmer is ready for extra strength work.
No, not usually. For the first few galas, training swimwear is fine. A race suit can be a nice upgrade once your swimmer is committed and ready for competition-specific swimwear.
A race suit can help reduce drag and support the body in the water, but it does not replace training. Think of it as a performance tool, not a magic PB machine.
It is better not to. Race suits are more delicate than training swimwear, so save them for racing. Use normal training swimwear for warm-ups and training sessions. The more exposure to chlorine, the quicker your race suit will end up in the bin.
Pack swimwear, spare goggles, a swim cap, two towels, water, snacks, warm clothes and the meet information. Keep food familiar and simple, so there are no race-day surprises.
Yes. Ness Swimwear is a UK swim shop with over 20 years of experience helping club swimmers and parents choose swimwear, goggles, race suits and training equipment.
