Swimming goggles. And maybe a swimsuit too.

[RubyToogood]

I've just taken the plunge (ho ho) and signed up for a course of improvers' swimming lessons. The number one thing stopping me doing anything but backstroke properly is gogglophobia, so I really need to sort that out. Any recommendations for ones that don't feel like they're about to gouge your eyes out? And why do people swish them around in the water before putting them on?

Also, I could really do with a new swimsuit as the Pat Butcher tankini number I've been wearing for the last <cough> years is not really fit to be seen out any more. Is there anywhere other than La Redoute, Simply Be and Evans that does plus sized cossies? Ideally I just want something plain and sporty which will stand up to frequent use. Evans's ones are all a bit Pat Butcher IMO. However I suspect the tankini worked because I'm a bit long in the bod - I have a spare swimsuit but it has strange ideas about where my boobs are.

Thanks.

 

[baldrick]

tbf most goggles aren't comfortable. i just put up with the tight feeling round my eyes these days, i've given up trying to find comfy ones. that said you can buy face-mask type ones like you'd wear for snorkelling if it's really a massive problem for you, they look much more comfy:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/triathlon/10/Aqua_Sphere_Seal_XP_Clear_Lens/5360017427/

have no idea on the swimsuits though, sorry.

 

[brix]

The Aqua Sphere goggles with 180 degree vision are supposed to be good. I haven't tried them myself but am thinking about it. Here's something from The Torygraph about them: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/t.../Aqua-Sphere-swimming-kit-Good-buy-guide.html

This is a pair of their goggles:

http://www.mikesdivestore.com/1020/...oogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid1020

 

[oryx]

Re. swimsuits - I got quite a decent one (halterneck, polka dots, £14.99) in the clothing section of Sainsbury's (the big Sydenham one). I don't know if they do swimsuits in plus sizes but they have a big plus size range of other clothes.

The goggles on water thing is to stop them misting up - it doesn't really stop it, just slows it down.

 

[Biddlybee]

And why do people swish them around in the water before putting them on?

To rinse out the spit they've just wiped on them it stops them steaming up.

 

[sheothebudworths]

Rubes - Next do good swimming swimming costumes (as opposed to sunbathing ones I mean) that go up to a 22.

They have that errrr....'chlorine resistant stuff' in them and a nice shelf for your boobs.

I've got my last three from there...the latest one is the red one from this page, but any of those'd probably do the job.

Not the cheapest option probably, but I'd still recommend them - I don't bother looking anywhere else now when I need a new one.


Oh and I've also had problems before with costumes appearing to be too short, btw - but not with these.

 

[gaijingirl]

Ruby - I have tried LOADS of googles and absolutely swear by the Aqua Sphere masks (as above). I recently decided (after many years of Aqua loyalty) to try some new ones I'd seen recommended - but gave them to K and need to now reorder a new pair of Aquas. (Bee is right - you spit in them and then swish them around in the water to avoid bathing your eyes in last night's curry flavoured gob).

ETA - as for swimming costumes I've been buying mine from here for a few years now. I always get the chlorine resistant ones after spending a significant number of weeks swimming in a see through threadbare costume one season after all the chlorine damage. I tend to get functional ones for proper swimming.

For my honeymoon I bought a "fancy" one and a sort of tankini and got pretty fucked off with both very quickly as they appeared to be only good for lying around and not actually swimming. (ie first time I wore the tankini and pushed off from the wall the top shot up over my head and the pants down my hips).. The fancy one was ok and very pretty but just uncomfortable for proper swimming.


This is a very cheap, chlorine resistant plain functional costume:

http://www.simplyswim.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=60659

and this a bit more decorative and more expensive (but Tyr is a good brand - we have some of their stuff for triathlon)

http://www.simplyswim.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=62515

Personally I find racer backs by far the best for proper swimming - no fear of your shoulder slipping off!

They're just a couple and not very exciting ones (which suits me but I can understand why others want something more attractive). .. but there are literally 100s on that site.

 

[beeboo]

Chlorine resistance is good, especially if you're anything like me and leave your damp cossie in a bag for days before you remember to put it in the wash

I've found that spending more money on decent goggles is worthwhile, but also that there's no substitute for trying them on before buying.

 

[RubyToogood]

Right, so I'm off shopping in the next few days... any good shops in South London or up in town?

PS thanks for the swimsuit link gaijingirl, definitely quite a few possibles there.

 

[sheothebudworths]

 

[internetstalker]

The Aqua Sphere goggles with 180 degree vision are supposed to be good. I haven't tried them myself but am thinking about it. Here's something from The Torygraph about them: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/t.../Aqua-Sphere-swimming-kit-Good-buy-guide.html

This is a pair of their goggles:

http://www.mikesdivestore.com/1020/...oogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid1020

I use these, thay're very comfortable, I would recommend.

as for swilling them round in the water first, a bit of spit and a swill stops the goggles from steaming up

 

[RubyToogood]

I managed to buy some of these locally today and go for a trial swim in them. I still wrestled with them a bit... I kept finding that they let the water in, then I realised they needed to sit further down, when they stop me breathing through my dose

 

[lang rabbie]

Aquasphere also do some more conventional looking goggles which are also very comfortable:

Mako - entry level goggle - RRP about £8.50
Kaiman - goggle for regular/competition use - about £12.50
Eagle - interchangeable plain and tinted lense - about £16.00, and they sell prescription lenses that you can plug in

(The Aquasphere Seal ones shown RRP about £17.50 are more suited to open water swimming)

And some stockists apparently now sell a Lady fit for the Seal and Kaiman goggles - standard size can be a bit large

 

[RubyToogood]

First lesson yesterday evening, went very well. Got the hang of the mask a lot more and how to get the seal to fit. Yes it does let the water in a bit sometimes but not so much. Spent a lot of time getting used to being underwater and already much more comfortable: managed a full length of breaststroke properly, putting my head under.