It's that time of year again. Short days, long nights, and holiday shopping. If you are running out of ideas for what to get your swimmer, here are some unique gifts you might not have thought of to make a splash this holiday season!
You know people are in the holiday spirit when they point out how much lane lines look like candy canes. (Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
10. Swim Spray
Personally, I love the smell of chlorine. But many people tire of showing up at school smelling like they brought the entire swimming pool with them. I know my mother would have appreciated this product after her eyes teared up from the chlorine flooding out of our pores from the unusually high levels in the pool one day.
Swim Spray neutralizes chlorine odor by removing the chlorine from the body. Developed by Andrew Chadeayne, PhD in Chemistry, a former Princeton swimmer and 2011 U.S. Masters Swimming National Champion in the 200 Backstroke, the product is 100% natural, made up of two ingredients, water and vitamin C. It's really simple to use in your everyday routine. After practice, rinse off, spray your hair and body with Swim Spray, use soap and shampoo, and voilà, no more smelling like a vat of chlorine.
I've never personally used this product, but I've heard great reviews. If anyone picks it up this holiday season, let me know how you like it!
9. Sammies
Every diver knows how wonderful these little towels are. But swimmers could benefit from keeping one in their bag as well. Despite its small size, these towels are capable of absorbing huge amounts of water, perfect for drying yourself during dive practices, after warm-ups, or between races at your swim meet.
A number of years ago, I had a lane partner who could barely make out the near flags when he wasn’t wearing his glasses. This made things really difficult for him considering the pace clock was on the opposite side of the pool where we trained. His solution was to just leave the wall when the group left, until our coach figured it out one practice and told him he had to get a watch.
For more than your visually impaired athlete, Timex Ironman watches make fantastic gifts for swimmers, with features like a lap counter, split and lap options, countdown timer, interval clocks, and an alarm clock to make sure you’re awake for 4 a.m. practice.
7. Speedo Performance Pro Backpack
Alternative: TYR Alliance Team II Backpack
If you’ve been on a pool deck for more than a month, you’ve seen these bags being toted about by just about every swimmer with an All-Star patch ironed to the side or an invitational pass dangling from the straps. But these bags are more than just great places to show off the great meets you’ve qualified for.
They really are great bags to transport your things to practice and meets. They come equipped with a rubberized bottom and a wet-pocket to keep your dry clothes separate from your wet swim suits and towels. They last for years and come in just about any color your swimmer might desire.
Sure, at the next championship meet you will probably be dying to get your hands on the new Speedo Fastskin3 or TYR AP12, but until then, why not have a little fun with your practice suits? Splish has fun and funky designs to show off your swimmers or divers personality, including winter holiday themes. You can even design your own if you are feeling creative!
Still looking for that perfect gift? Read on for gifts 1-5!