Swimming Vocabulary for Newbie Triathletes- Part 1

Swimwear—

I decided to break the vocabulary into two entries, today's entry covers swimwear. The next entry will cover training vocabulary, including training aids and common workout abbrieviations.

Swim cap—a head covering made of  any of the following: lycra, latex, neoprene, or silicone.

Wetsuit—wetsuits made specifically for swimming, have stretchier areas around the shoulders to ease stroke movement. Can either be full sleeve or sleeveless. Swim wetsuits have a slick coating on the outside unlike wetsuits designed for surfing.

Swimskins—similar to a one-piece trisuit usually worn by triathletes swimming in waters where it is warm enough to not wear a wetsuit or when wetsuits are prohibited. It is worn over the tri-suit or tri top and shorts to reduce the amount of drag while swimming.

Men’s—

Speedo, Brief, Racer, Banana Hammock—all the same term for a men’s style suit similar to a women’s bikini bottom. (Speedo is a trademarked brand name, but is generically used to describe this style of suit.) Speedo uses the term brief, while TYR calls in a racer.

Jammer—A men’s suit style similar to bike or tri shorts, but without the padding. Tight fitting shorts. Style name is used across brands.

Drag suit—similar to a brief, usually square cut legs with a mesh type fabric, meant to be work over one of the above types of suits, can be worn by men and women. Provides additional drag, increasing the intensity of the workout or set.

Women’s—

One piece—whatever style of one-piece suit is comfortable, usually used just for training purposes.

Workout bikini—a 2-piece suit meant for training, not just lounging around the pool. Bottom usually has a drawstring.

Swimwear materials—

Lycra— a stretchy material usually used in combination with Nylon. Lycra is a trade name, can also be listed as spandex. Can deteriorate rather quickly, and will deteriorate with time even when properly cared for. Tends to stretch with age as well. Swim caps are sometimes made of this material, though not efficient at reducing drag or keeping hair dry.

Nylon—a not so stretchy material some suits are made with this in combination with lycra. Also tends to deteriorate with time. Swim suits made solely of nylon do not stretch nearly as much as those made with lycra.

Polyester—the longest lasting of all swimwear materials. Does not stretch or deteriorated anywhere near those made of nylon or lycra. I’ve had suits last several years, sometimes linings (made of lycra) deteriorated before the suit itself.  Manufacturers names for polyester lines: Speedo—endurance+ or endurance lite, Tyr—durafast.

Neoprene—a common wetsuit material. Swimmers and triathletes in cold water often use swim caps made of neoprene.

Silicone—swim cap material, often preferred by female swimmers as the material does not pull at the scalp/hair like a latex cap. These caps are thicker and tend to tear less and last longer than a latex cap. Can keep hair somewhat dry

Latex—common swim cap material. Can keep hair somewhat dry. This is the least expensive of swim caps, can be found at many swim meets for around a dollar. This is the type of cap often handed out at triathlons due to its cost effectiveness for the race directors.