To ensure products bought from SWIMGEAR.co.nz will last, follow the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ below:

Swimwear

Do’s

– Rinse you swimwear out with fresh water after use.
– Dry in the shade. (sunlight causes fading)
– Hand wash once a month with a very mild soapy water
– Put sunscreen on 15-20 minutes before putting on your swimwear.

Don’ts

– Place in the tumble dryer
– Leaving hanging dripping wet (will stretch)
– Do Not bleach your swimwear – Hang swimwear in the sunlight
– Put in the washing machine – Do not store while damp

Goggles

Do’s

– Rinse your goggles under fresh water
– Rinse the straps particularly well
– Keep stored in protective casings
– Dry goggles before placing in protective casing (do not dry inside lens)
– Use anti-fog towelettes once a month to replace anti-fog on lens

Don’ts

– Do not put lens face down on any surface
– Do not touch inside of lens with anti-fog coatings
– Do not uses saliva as anti-fog, can lead to infections
– Do not use goggles as catapult weapons

Swim Training Gear

Do’s

– Wash your all your plastic, silicon and foam training gear once a month with mild soapy water
– Rinse your training gear once a week
– Store your training gear in an aerated area to dry
– Use a gear bag to carry you equipment to prevent loss and damage.

Don’ts

– Do not store in direct sunlight
– Do not store in a damp area (will develop mould and fungi)
– Never use your training gear to harm another person

Water Polo Balls:

Do’s

– Always wash you water polo ball with fresh water after use
– Dry your ball after use with a towel
– Store in a dry aerated place

Don’ts

-Do not bounce you ball on a hard surface (Ruins the grip)
– Do not leave in the pool water for extended periods of time, (Will become dis-coloured and loss of grip will occur)
– Do not store in a damp area (will develop mould and fungi and deterioration of ball)

Water Polo Caps:

Do’s
– Always wash your caps with a mild soapy water, then rinse with fresh water
– Squeeze excess water out and dry
– Dry in an aerated shaded area
– Store in an aerated cap bag in a dry area.

Don’ts

– Don’t dry in sulight
– When drying do not hang by ties (threads)
– Do not try and remove ear pieces when washing
– Do not place in tumble dryer
– Do not place in washing machine
– Do not dry when dripping wet
– Do not store in damp area
– Do not store on metallic racks (ruins ear pieces and stretch’s material)

Wetsuits:

Do’s

– Always rinse your wetsuit after use with fresh water
– Rinse the inside as well as outside of wetsuit
– Dry inside out
– Dry over a free air object (such as clothes horse)
– Once inside part is dry, turn normal side out and leave to dry
– Wipe any dam areas on outside neoprene down with a towel
– Store rolled up in the carry bag provided or hang in a dry place
– Use silicon based lubricants like Tri-Slide when using wetsuit

Don’ts

– Never wash wetsuit with string soaps
– Never dry in direct sun light
– Do not dry on a hanger
– Do not store while wet
– Do not store while damp
– Do not fold or scrunch wetsuit
– Do not use petroleum based products like Vaseline (eats into neoprene and causes flaking and devastation of wetsuit)
– Do not use a wetsuit as a buoyancy aid

Open water distance swimming differs from other swimming competitions. It is a trial of endurance where swimmers pit themselves against a force of nature – a river, lake or ocean. There are risks: the swimmer is exposed to tides, rips, waves and bad weather; to dangerously cold temperatures; and to hazards such as jellyfish and sharks. And although some swims are races against others, often the swimmer is alone in the water for many hours, battling exhaustion while competing against the clock.

Physical requirements

To be successful, open water swimmers must be able to withstand hours in very cold temperatures. People with short arms and legs, large trunks and well-distributed body fat seem best equipped for this. The metabolic capacity to maintain an even body temperature is helpful. Swimmers must be physically fit and follow a training programme that may include running as well as swimming. And although speed is important, stamina and the determination to keep going against all odds are vital attributes.

International regulations

Open water swimming is an international sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). Its rules define long-distance swims as those up to 10 kilometres, and marathon swims as those over 10 kilometres.

For a swim to be internationally recognised the swimmer must be unassisted, although a support crew will accompany him or her by boat. Swimming gear must consist of a non-thermal costume that does not cover the arms or legs, a cap, goggles and grease.

Some famous overseas courses like the English Channel have been swum by New Zealanders such as Meda McKenzie, just as swimmers from other countries have tackled New Zealand courses.

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