For competitive swimming as well as aquatic fitness activities, such as lap swimming and water aerobics, a good swimsuit will increase your efficiency in the water, keep you feeling comfortable during your activity, and stand up better to the deteriorating effects of chlorinated water than most fashion swimsuits.
To select the right suit, first determine the activity for which you'll be wearing the suit most often:
Racing/Competitive swimming which includes both practicing and racing at either the school or club level
Aquatic Fitness which includes activities such as lap swimming and water aerobics
Racing/Competitive Swimming
For both training and competition, competitive swimmers need high-performance suits that maximize speed in the water and improve glide times by reducing drag and increasing water flow.
Many swimmers buy separate suits for training and competition. For both training and competition, compression, resulting in a tight fit, is the key.
Sizing
For training, buy your normal size, but realize that the fit will be snugger than that of a regular fashion swimsuit
For competition, consider buying a suit at least one size smaller than your training suit
Construction
Support
Swimsuits for both training and competition support through compression
Lining
Suits for top-level competition are not lined, since reducing drag is a priority. However, many men's suits for training are front-lined.
A suit with lining will generally last longer, and hold its shape and color better than an unlined suit
Styling
Men's competition and training suits have moderately cut leg openings, drawcords in the interior of the waistband, and side seams of about 3-inches
For men wanting more coverage, training suits with lower leg openings and side seams up to seven-inches are available, but they are not the norm for training or competition
Fabrication
Although there are many hybrid fabrics for racing/competitive swimming available, most swimsuits for this sport are done in blends of nylon/spandex. (Lycra is a specific brand of spandex made by DuPont and is found in many swimsuits.)
Improvements in fiber engineering have resulted in swimsuit materials that are more resistant to chlorine than ever. Suits for racing/competitive swimming typically use these more durable versions of nylon and spandex.
Aquatic Fitness
For lap swimming and water aerobics, you will need a suit that provides comfort and freedom of movement, plus coverage and support
Men will find training suits designed for the competitive swimmer to be most appropriate for lap swimming for fitness
Fit should be snug but not tight. A good fitting suit will stay in place during vigorous movement, but not pinch, bind or ride up in the seat.
Despite the advances in fiber technology, chlorine will eventually deteriorate swimsuit fabrics. When your suit begins to bag or feels looser than when it was new, it is time to replace your suit.
How to Select a Little Girl's Swimsuit
By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
It may seem like it wouldn't take much thought to select a swimsuit for a little girl. However, there are several factors that come into play for little girls and their swimsuits. They need to be comfortable, maintenance-free and provide adequate coverage. Read on to learn more.
Difficulty: Easy
Step1
Check for comfort and fit. When selecting a swimsuit for your little girl, it's important to try the suit on her. Let her move in it in the dressing room. If it's restrictive in the dressing room, it's not going to be comfortable on the beach. In the same sense, if the straps are continually dropping off of her shoulders, the suit is not going to be comfortable, either.
Step2
Determine the fabric-type and read the care instructions. If a suit is going to require hand washing or special treatment, then it's not going to be a very practical suit for the summer. White or light-colored suits get dirty easier when going to the beach. Darker colored suits endure stains better. However, darker suits tend to fade out more in the sun. A suit devoid of lots of accessories or trim will wash better, too.
Step3
Ensure proper coverage of the suit. If the suit is continually slipping or falling in the chest or bottom areas, it's not going to provide adequate coverage. Additionally, if your child is extra sensitive to the sun, a one-piece suit will be better than a two-piece suit. Some suits come with "extras" such as a cover-up or a sarong. These suits are always good because they provide extra coverage.
Step4
Check the lining. Every little girl's swimsuit should include a lining in the crotch area. Little girls are just as susceptible to yeast infections as adults and need a good lining in the bottoms of their swimsuits, too.
Concerned that high-tech suits had "fundamentally altered the sport" by possibly aiding swimmers' speed and buoyancy, a national committee made them illegal this season for all varsity swimmers. Boys' suits must be worn between the waist and knees. Lakeville South coach Rick Ringeisen estimated that 90 percent of the state finalists wore high-tech suits but said: "People put far too much stock in the performance-enhancing characteristics of the high-technology suits. The suits were helpful from a psychological standpoint and they did provide many swimmers with greater confidence."
2 CLASS 2A: A THREE-HORSE RACE
Edina and Minnetonka finished first and second, respectively, at the past two state meets. Rochester Century placed third last season and Edina coach Art Downey, now in his 54th season, expects little to change at the top. Led by senior Drew Johnson, who won the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events and anchored the first-place 400 freestyle relay, the Hornets should be in the mix for a 10th state championship.
3 BRECK/BLAKE "HEAVY FAVORITES"
The Breck School of Golden Valley and the Blake School of Minneapolis co-op ended St. Thomas Academy's run of four consecutive Class 1A championships. The best part? None of the swimmers who contributed points were seniors. Naturally, expectations for a repeat are flying high. "St. Thomas Academy is well-coached, but they graduated so many kids," Bearstangs coach Kris Rosenberg said. "It's fair to say we're the heavy favorite." The Cadets, winners of nine state titles in the past 11 seasons, remain in the hunt, along with Simley.
DAVID LA VAQUE
SWIMMERS TO WATCH
CLASS 2A
Drew Johnson, sr., Edina: Won the 100 and 200 freestyles last season. Anchored the first-place 400 freestyle relay.
Brian Kiel, sr., Rochester Century: Won the 200 individual medley and set the state record in the 100 backstroke preliminaries before finishing second in the finals.
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