Kit Requirements 

There is a minimum set of training equipment swimmers are expected to bring to every session, and some of this will vary dependant on squad. The basic kit should include:

• A kit bag – big enough to hold all your gear, and preferably with separate compartments for wet kit, shampoo, goggles etc. Some of them are designed to hold your kickboard too which is handy.
• A net bag – useful for holding all the gear you will need on poolside. They get wet so they also get smelly and benefit from the occasional wash!
• Swimwear – chlorine resistant fabric is best for training because of the amount of time spent in the water. Lycra just does not last. Look for polyester, polyamide, nylon or PBT. Suggestions are Speedo Endurance, Paw, Maru Pacer, Adidas Infintex, Aquarapid Defender, Tyr Durafast and Kiefer XLA. Wet costumes should be kept separate from towels, then rinsed thoroughly in clean water and left to dry naturally.
• Goggles – choice will be driven by swimmer preference, but always have a couple of spares for when they go walkabout or snap.
• Water/juice bottles – NEVER be without one or more (see nutrition section later).
• Towel
• Skipping rope – for warm up and land training. A simple plastic one is best.
• Training Fins – short rubber or silicone fins, not the longer type used for snorkelling or scuba.
• Kickboard

Your coach may also want you to have other equipment (a log book, finger paddles, pullbuoy, freestyle snorkel etc), but you will be informed of any additional requirements. Competition swimmers will also want to consider costumes designed specifically for the purpose. Racing costumes, or fastskins, are designed to be very tight and are made of special fabrics to reduce drag effect. They are not to be used for training nor should they be used in a warm-up. They are expensive, have a limited life, and are not a necessity for young swimmers, but many feel that they have an advantage, if only psychological, when wearing one.

Stockport Metro competitive swimmers are expected to have a Club swimming hat, a Club T-shirt, and preferably a tracksuit, orderable from the contacts on the "Club Merchandise" page. Other equipment may be sourced from online shops or the high street, but you'd be helping the Club to raise funds if you purchased through the affiliate schemes Stockport Metro has signed up for, with Mailsports and Swimshop.