Essential Equipment
Suits – Loveland Masters suggests a racing style swim suit for both men and women. Racing style suits can improve performance over more fashionable cuts. Women generally will want to wear a one-piece suit and most men will want to wear a brief or jammer style suit. Suit material can affect the longevity and cost of your swimsuit. You might want to spend the few extra dollars for a polyester suit as it tends to last more than a year and withstand the wear and tear of weekly practice sessions better than Lycra or nylon suits.
Goggles – Goggles are not required, but are highly recommended. Goggles help you see better underwater, but also protect your eyes from the chlorinated pool water. It is not necessary to spend a large sum of money on goggles. In most cases, a $15 pair works just as well as a $30 pair. Loveland Masters has goggles for sale at the pool for the ridiculously low price of $12, and are similar in style to the Speedo Vanquisher goggles, which run $20-$30 depending on where you purchase them.
Caps – Though not required, swim caps are an excellent way to help prevent hair damage from pool chemistry. Caps also help decrease drag, plus can keep your hair out of your eyes. New Loveland Masters swimmers will find a complementary swim cap in your welcome package. Loveland Masters also keeps a supply of swim caps at all practices, if you need one just ask the on-deck coach, the latex swim caps we keep in stock are free for all members.
Water Bottles – We strongly suggest that you bring a water bottle with you to every practice.
After Practice – Bring your own towel, shampoo and other personal items for clean up after practice. The Mountain View High School Aquatic Center provides locker room access, which includes lockers, showers and wall-mounted dryers.
Spare Towel – if you should forget your towel at home, Loveland Masters keeps a couple of spare towels at the pool. Just ask the coach and they will get you a towel to borrow. All we ask is that you take the towel home, toss it in the wash and bring it back fresh and clean for the next swimmer who forgets their towel.
Equipment Purchases
There are two easy manners to purchase your swim equipment.
SwimOutlet.com
Support Loveland Masters Swimming by shopping at our store. A portion of all proceeds goes back to Loveland Masters Swimming! In addition to equipment, we also have Loveland Master apparel for sale. Get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $49. Go shopping now.
MI Sports
This Loveland retailer is located at 3400 N. Garfield. Mention Loveland Masters and you’ll receive a 10% discount on your purchases. For more information.
Swim Gear
Fins – Fins can aid beginning swimmers to learn proper body position and speed up the kick. Because Loveland Masters occasionally do entire swimming sets with fins, in addition to daily kicking sets, fins are strongly encouraged. It is suggested that you purchase shorter fins, rather than the longer dive fins. Speedo and TYR make excellent fins for swim practice. The Zoomers model tend to be rough on the feet.
Pull Buoys – Pull buoys bring the legs higher in the water and are great for simulating the effects of a wet suit for those who plan open water swims where wet suits are worn. Speedo and TYR make excellent pull buoy products. Using the pull buoy too much can become somewhat of a crutch.
Hand Paddles – Hand paddles create more surface area for resistance in the pull phase of the stroke. Loveland Masters frequently use paddles during practice sessions and it is strongly suggested that you purchase a pair for your use. Be cautious in your purchase, the paddles should be about 25 percent larger than your hand and not much larger.
Kick Boards – Kick boards also come in a variety of shapes and densities, and look like minature surfboards. The Mountain View High School Aquatic Center has an adequate supply of kick boards available for your use during practice.
