Get It Right from the Start: Swim Gear Planning Tips for New Teams

The joy of starting or expanding a swim team is indescribable, but choosing the right swim gear can become a cause of worry for both athletes and managers. Some teams make it through the difficulties and create a clear plan for gear acquisition that will be helpful. The right choice of swimming gear is your team's best asset and will, in turn, help both swimmers and coaches to carry on with a successful season. 

The vision of forming a new age-group club, a high school team, or a summer league squad is a great thing but with the right swim gear lineup from the very beginning you will be able to save time, reduce confusion, and keep your swimmers concentrated on training and competition not worrying about mismatched suits or missing goggles. 

Why Swim Gear Planning Matters 

Swim gear planning is not only about how things look. The excellent approach will result in sameness, will augment the team spirit, and will avoid the hustle and bustle of the last-minute issues before competitions. Also, it helps in making your team's culture and professionalism stand out, especially if you want to attract new swimmers and their families. 

The choice of gears such as team swimsuits and logo caps as well as the inclusion of training equipment and backpacks are a reflection of your program's priorities. By planning early, you prevent the duplication of shirts, wasteful expenses, and unhappy parents. These are among the problems most experienced by new teams. 

Key Considerations before Swim Gear Selection 

Before you start ordering or setting up a team store, take time to think through a few important questions: 

• What is the age range and skill level of your swimmers?

Junior swimmers may need a shorter list of items, while more advanced athletes may need additional training equipment. 

• What’s your team’s budget and expected costs for families?

Foreseeing costs early on will make sure that swim gear is accessible to all team members. 

• How many practices and meets are expected per season?

This can influence the number and type of suits and gear swimmers will need. 

• Would you like a unified look for meets or let them have flexibility?

Some teams ask for branded gear that looks exactly the same while others have fun and relax. 

The Swimming Gear Every New Swim Team Must Have 

Here is a list of swimming gear items that most competitive teams will need to think about: 

1. Team Swimsuits 

One of the most visible assemblies of your team is the meet suit which should be: 

• High-quality and made of chlorine-resistant materials
• Uniform in terms of the style, color, and branding
• Reflecting the coach's choice and the communication to the families with clarity

You may also opt to suggest practice suits, especially for teams that are in training multiple times per week. 

2. Team Swim Caps 

Silicone or latex caps branded with your team logo not only help create a unified look but also make it easier for coaches and timers to identify swimmers. Order a few extra caps for latecomers or replacements. 

3. Goggles 

Goggles are generally a personal choice, but recommending a couple of reliable brands or styles and having them available in your team store is a good idea. 

4. Training Gear 

Based on the swimmers' age and experience, some of the training aids you may need to include are: 

• Kickboards
• Pull buoys
• Fins
• Hand paddles
• Snorkels
• Mesh bags for gear transport

The best list is standardized with the coaching staff and at the beginning of the season given to parents. 

5. Team Apparel and Bags 

The addition of hoodies, T-shirts, parkas, and swim backpacks to the team wardrobe is a good idea as they promote team pride and also are a way to keep the swimmers warm between the events.  

How to Avoid Common Swim Gear Mistakes  

Starting teams encounter many avoidable challenges when they dress up their swimmers. Here are proactive measures: 

Mistake #1: Delaying Planning 

Solution: Plan your team’s gear strategy at least 1–2 months before the season starts. This will give you time to finalize your list, partner with a retailer, and process your orders before the first swim meet. 

Mistake #2: Having Too Many Choices 

Solution: It's easier this way. You need to limit your choices to one or two per item - like one style of suit for both boys and girls, one type of goggles, and one brand of fins. When there are too many options, families get confused and it's harder to maintain uniformity. 

Mistake #3: Not Using Team Store as Central Location 

Solution: You should work with a trustworthy swim retailer to create a custom team store. It not only makes ordering more manageable for parents but also guarantees brands and eliminates the need for sourcing of gear from various websites. 

Mistake #4: Omitting to Address Sizing and Fitting 

Solution: Include the sizing guidance openly. You can add size charts in the welcome emails, or else, if it is possible, host a fitting session. If the suits or the gear are not the right fit, it leads to dissatisfaction and it might also affect the performance. 

Mistake #5: Neglecting Communication 

Solution: Clearly communicate timelines, requirements for swimming meet uniforms such as necessary vs. optional gear, and so on. Distribute reminders through newsletters and chats and provide direct links to the team store. 

How to Correctly Set Up a Swim Team Store 

A well-functioning team swim store is the answer and is the key to organizing and simplifying the purchasing of gear by anyone involved. Follow these steps: 

1. Select a swim gear retailer that is trustworthy and offers team services like Elsmore Swim Shop.
2. Meet with a team sales representative to select the required and optional items.
3. Create customized suits, caps, and apparel that feature your team’s logo.
4. Determine order windows that coincide with the season's start or key meet dates.
5. Share your team store link with swimmers and families via email, social media, or your team website.

A team store that is organized well will make gear shopping easy and after all, ensure your team feels and looks united from the very start. 

Swimming Gear Planning- For Expansion Teams 

If your club is on the rise, the strategy for swim gear may have to change. Here are some extra tips for the developmental programs: 

• Make changes to the gear list every year depending on the efficacy of your strategies from the previous season.
• Revisit vendor relationships to ensure you're still getting the best selection and service.
• Ask parents or coaches to give their contribution regarding the gear's durability, fit, and preferences.
• Include optional upgrades like performance suits or personalized bags as swimmers improve.

Growth is a great sign of your program. A flexible yet clear plan for team gear helps in managing that growth without any confusion. 

Build a Swim Gear Foundation for Your Team to Separate Them 

As the saying goes, new and expanding swim teams have a chance to build a strong base with a good swim gear strategy. 

Clear communication and decisive action lead to low stress level, stimulate participation, and create a sense of pride in your swimmers. 

Need Help Setting Up Your Team Store? 

Elsmore Swim Shop has for years assisted various swim teams across the nation in the build custom gear programs that are functional. You can depend on them for everything from logo design to sizing assistance and fulfillment while we focus on coaching and growing your program. 

To learn more about team gear planning or to launch your own team store, visit Elsmore Swim Shop’s Team Sales page. Their team is ready to help you get it right from the start.