Swimming Equipment

The swimming costume

A swimming costume is chosen to last in chlorine. Chlorine resistant fabrics, like the polyester from the TYR Durafast Elite range, hold their shape and colour much longer than classic elastane. For men, the brief and jammer are the training swimsuits; in most French swimming pools, board shorts are banned for hygiene reasons.

The selection

Swimming is organised by type:

• Women's swimsuits.
• Men's swimsuits.
• Junior swimsuits.
• Goggles.
• Swim caps.
• Wetsuits, for open water and triathlon.
• Flip flops.
• Accessories, floats, pull buoys and fins.

Goggles, caps and accessories

Goggles are chosen to fit the shape of your face: they should hold in place by simple pressure, without the strap, before being adjusted. The silicone cap, like the Speedo moulded or Arena, is waterproof and durable; it is required in many pools. Wetsuits in neoprene insulate and help you float in open water. Floats, pull buoys and fins are used to work on legs or arms separately. Rinse your swimsuit in fresh water after each session.

Other sports

Other sports on the site, padel, fishing, roller and skateboarding, motorbike, camping, climbing, golf, fitness, gymnastics, handball, games and pedagogy, are gathered on the other sports page.

Good deals

Great bargains can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The key moments of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, and then the summer sales and back to school.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should you start swimming?

Baby swimmers discover water from just a few months old with a parent, for fun and ease. Learning strokes tends to come around five or six years old, when the child can coordinate arms, legs and breathing.

What are paddles and the pull buoy used for?

The pull buoy, wedged between the thighs, keeps the legs afloat so you can work only on the arms. Paddles increase the surface area of the hand and strengthen the shoulders and pull. They are used in sets, not throughout the entire session.

How can you improve in swimming?

Work on technique before distance: drills, kickboards, breathing every three beats in freestyle. Regular sessions, two or three times a week, help you progress more than a long isolated session.

How do you do a tumble turn?

About a metre and a half from the wall, tuck your chin in, perform a forward roll while bringing in your knees, place your feet on the wall, then push off on your back while turning to resume swimming. Exhale through your nose during the roll.

Wetsuit or swimsuit for swimming in open water?

In cold water, the wetsuit provides insulation from the cold and improves buoyancy, which saves energy. It is often required in triathlons below a certain temperature, while the swimsuit is enough in warm water.