I cannot believe I haven’t done this post yet: Great Holiday Swim Gifts. I’m asked a lot around pools such things as, Where can my kid buy those great fins you have? What do you use to make your hair stay so healthy around pools? How come your bathing suit has lasted well over a year and still looks great? Well, I got answers and links — or great swim gift ideas — for you.
Speedo “Endurance” suits. If it don’t say endurance, it’s not 50% polyester and 50% PBT, and therefore will fall apart on you sooner than anything else. Any suit with any percentage of lycra or spandex can stretch beyond wearability in as little as a matter of weeks depending on how much you swim. (I think I’d make a great product tester for Outside Magazine where suits are concerned, as I’ve tried them all in terms of brands and material percentages). My co-worker Virginia has one of these and said it has lasted her years.
Rubber swim fins. The majority fins out there available at Target or sports stores are made of plastic and really, really hurt to wear; not to mention fit terribly. You’ll have to order these at Kiefer.com here. Fins offer more than just fun and games: I strongly endorse fins as a way to improve independent swimming as it give a physical (and mental) boost to the surface for kids who cannot quite yet come up for air on their own.
Pantene conditioner. There’s nothing like the smoothness found in a conditioner with pantenes. For around $3.50, you can get one soft mane. I trust a lot of what “Cosmetics Cop” Paula Begoun recommends, and she states one type of Pantene product isn’t different from the rest (ie. buying the “For Thick and Full Hair” label verses “Smooth for Blondes” or something). Also, wet your hair and slap a little of this into it before you go into the pool.
Bumble & Bumble “Sunday” shampoo. You need a good shampoo with chelating agents in it to strip the chlorine off. I don’t follow up with a chelating conditioner because in my experience, it leaves my hair way too squeaky clean and hard to comb. Which is why I recommend pairing it with the pantenes. Plus, the costs balance themselves out, as this B&B product is like $19. If you want to know more about what chlorine does to your skin and hair, go here.
WaterGym Float Belt. I linked and wrote about this product here, citing this is the only real water aerobics and “mom” pool item you really need when swimming with your kids or pool exercising. When I know I’ll be swimming in the deep end with a student, I always slap one of these on. You want to be able to last in the water as long as your kids, so for $22, help yourself out and be both safe and fun.
Quick-Dry Chamois. I’m dying to get one of these towels: Wipe yourself off and squeeze the water out. They are a great big green answer (no washing or using the dryer involved) and store better in your bag than a bigger towel. I’ve found when you take greater responsibility for your swim things — like managing your only towel or self-purchased pool toys — one tends to take better care of them.
