Equipment
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| I am a new swim team parent, DC didn't do summer swim. Before you say email the club I already did. What equipment do you minis need for a swim team, and how many jammers? How many googles? DC has thick hair, do you all double-cap? Read somewhere to just pack two mesh bags, so we can just grab and go. |
Anonymous
|
Single cap, silicone is better.
Mesh bag for fins, googles and kick board and water bottle Swim Bag for towels, extra goggles, clothing and everything else. Also, invest in a swim parka. Size up, they'll grow into it. We have tons of jammers. I usually get them for $10, rarely $15 or more. It depends on if you wash them and how often. I just throw them in a mesh bag with the regular laundry and hang dry. Most hand wash. Never heard of two mesh bags. |
Anonymous
|
I agree with the pp for the most part. Single silicone cap, wet (mesh) bag for practice equipment and backpack for goggles, towels and clothes. DD always has 2-3 pairs of goggles, one to wear and at least one spare (because the main pair will inevitably break or get lost). A spare cap is usually a good idea as well in case one rips. As for other equipment, I’d guess fins and a kick board at a minimum but it really is team/group dependent.
I say wait on a parka. My kid is 17 and has never wanted one. Flannel pants and a hoodie work just fine for her and most of the kids she practices with do the same. And that’s if they even bother to put clothes back on after practice. Half of them wander out to the parking lot just wrapped in their towels. DD has collected quite a few suits over the years. You don’t generally need that many. It depends on how often your child practices and your laundry schedule. |
Anonymous
| Not OP but new swim parent. Is there any reliable second hand store for swim gear? |
Anonymous
|
PP I don't know of a second hand store, and you may just want to ask people with older swimmers.
OP- your club should give you a list of need equipment, I would hold off on buying any until you hear what specifically they need. |
Anonymous
|
Fins and goggles are the main must haves.
My kid didn’t get a “ swim” bag until she’d been doing it a while. A regular spurts bag is fine, she never drank the water I diligently packed either. Also didn’t buy a parka… during Covid she came out in a large bathrobe which a bunch of kids did too. Once they were allowed to shower again she showered after practice and came out in Jammie’s afterwards. |
Anonymous
Ask on buy nothing. That’s where I got my kids fins from. Aside from goggles you don’t “ need” anything ruse if budget is a concern. |
Anonymous
|
To start you need. Show up to the first few practices this is all you need:
A swim suit goggles a cap a towel Next step. After your kid has been doing it awhile: Second swim suit back up goggles back up cap swim bag water bottle Third step once they are really committed: competition only suit Fins own kickboard Pretty much always optional: Parka flannel pj pants with team name |
Anonymous
Our team requires minis to wear fins. I agree with the rest though |
Anonymous
|
My DD got a kickboard early — she needed the one with hand holds bc her arms were too short for the full kickboard.
Otherwise the above list is good. Silicone for the cap! |
Anonymous
Just look for sales. I got a parka from swim outlet for maybe $40-50 on sale. |
Anonymous
You don't need a competition suit. Most clubs require fins and a kick board. Parka's are really nice to have. I didn't realize it until we got one and mine wears it all winter/spring. |
Anonymous
For some swim teams, this isn't true. |
Anonymous
Poster with the DD who needed a kickboard. I got her swim backpack on Poshmark |