Swimming is a sport that is intimidating to many. That’s because it not just a sport but a skill. It is one skill that could save a life. Swimming emerged as a competitive sport in the early 1800s. Since then, a multitude of champions have risen from the sport. Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe to name a few.
Besides legends, a variety of sports have also stemmed from swimming. These include synchronize swimming, water polo and diving. This shows the versatility of swimming.
Although, as the saying goes “Good equipment will pay for themselves”. This article will highlight the recommended essential swimming equipment items you would need. We also split it to three categories;
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Fun
Where do we buy these essential swimming equipment items in Malaysia?
There are numerous brands in Malaysia that sell swimming related tools. However, today we want to highlight where you can get them on a budget. This would be at Decathlon Malaysia. The Decathlon brand has been around since 1976. It has been providing quality sport equipment to many. They pride themselves on having items made to cater for a variety of sports. More than 60 to be exact. This is why, they are one of the best for quality items on a budget for any sport.
They have 6 Decathlon stores in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which are located at:
- Petaling Jaya (https://goo.gl/maps/HnrKrkZSWpgubReQA)
- Subang Jaya (https://goo.gl/maps/ZvGHpBgjbPoKkhXS6)
- Old Klang Road (https://goo.gl/maps/imR1R79Cg9MSUtEMA)
- Shah Alam (https://goo.gl/maps/Zg3qs9junYXwDr3r9)
- Sri Damansara (https://goo.gl/maps/YR2hnPiDjeooZvwj6)
- KL East Mall (https://goo.gl/maps/dSyiXbNRemtBP1sC8)
What are the essential swimming equipment for beginners?
This is the first step for you to obtain a life-long skill. No matter your age, the right gear is paramount on getting yourself on the right track. Here are the essential swimming equipment items you will need as a beginner in the sport. We define beginner as little to no experience in swimming, this means being unable to complete the freestyle stroke.
Goggles
You may think isn’t this obvious. Of course, we need goggles to swim. Although, you may be surprised how many people turn up at a swimming class without their goggles. Decathlon has a wide range of goggles to select from. However, some are designed specifically for competitive swimmers. These are of the higher price range. So, these two goggles are our recommendation to kids and adults that are just starting of;
NABAIJI Swimming goggles xbase l clear lenses (Recommended Product)
One of the most common problems of goggles are loose frames. This is where water seeps into your goggles and hurts your eyes. We recommend these goggles for kids to use because of its characteristics;
- Waterproof – This limits water entry into the goggle due to the compression seals of the goggles
- Anti-Fogging – This is where the lenses of the goggle don’t get fogged up after prolong use
- Adjustability – It accommodates for carrying face sizes with an adjustable nose bridge and numbered notches with rear buckle.
Overall, the main element of this goggle is in its comfortability where its straps are soft and easily adjustable for your child.
NABAIJI Swimming goggles soft size | clear lenses (Recommended Product)
Now, as an adult who is just starting off in swimming. You can actually reuse your child’s goggles or even use a similar type of goggle to your child. The reason is because at this stage of the swimming process, there is little to minimal difference goggles. This goggle shares the same traits as the above but with a larger field of vision.
This will help adults to have a better spatial perception while still staying focus. This is not very recommended for children as they may get distracted easily.
Proper Swimwear
Yes, as swimming enthusiasts. It is important that you wear the proper swimwear while swimming. This is to keep the pool clean as some clothing materials can hold detergents and germs. This will keep from contaminating the pool water. Now, swimwear for men, women and kids.
Men – NABAJI Men swimming jammer swim suit (Recommended Product)
For men, we recommend the above swim shorts. This swim short is designed for pure functionality with affordability at its driving core. Here are some of its characteristics
- Chlorine resistance – 100-hour resistance
- Adjustable – Easy fitting with drawcord around waist
- Elasticity – To allow for freedom of movement
Women – NABAIJI Women one piece swimsuit heva (Recommended Product)
For women, swimming can sometimes be uncomfortable strictly from a mental perspective. Certain swim wears are simply too revealing which sometimes draw unwanted attention. That’s why we recommend the above. It is one-piece suit that is designed with comfort and ease in mind. Here are some of its characteristics;
- Chlorine resistance – 100-hour resistance
- Stability – Medium leg height, reduce the swimwear being over revealing
- Easy dressing – Wide strap and U-shaped scoop back
Kids – NABAIJI Boys swimming shorty suit Kloupi (Recommended Product) & NABAIJI Kloupi Girls Swim Shorty (Recommended Product)
For children, it’s important to ensure that the swimsuit is regulated properly. This is because children tend to feel the chills easier than adults. Thus, the two above swimwear provides exactly that. Here are its characteries.
- Windproof – The material protects against strong wind.
- Thermal insulation – Fabric is designed to protect from cold weather
Overall, you can see that there are a variety of swimwear. Each with its strong suit. Although, we strongly advice that you should always have these 3 factors in mind. This is especially when you have a child.
- Comfort
- Functionality
- Safety
Kickboard
Many individuals claim that kickboards are for beginners only. This is a very wrong misconception. A kickboard is a basic training tool. The most experience of us use it. It is adapted for a variety of training techniques.
- Freestyle hand pull
- Breaststroke hand pull
- Dolphin kick
So, it is important that a kickboard is present at all times. Here is our recommendation on what would be a good option for beginners.
NABAIJI Swimming Pool large kickboard (Recommended Product)
This kickboard is applicable for both kids and adults. It provides excellent water buoyancy for new swimmers. It also aids when the student is training their leg strength. Here are some characteristics of it
- Buoyancy – Assist in keeping students afloat with ease
- Rigidity – Provides balance between comfort and rigidity
- Stability – The holes in the kickboard assist with keeping in balance
Optional Beginner Swimming Tools
Now that we have covered all the essentials swimming equipment for beginners, let’s look at some optional tool.
Swimming Cap
The first of which swimming cap. Specifically for women or girls, this helps with keeping your hair in place. This is so you have a clear line of vision, which also reduces distraction. Although in general, it helps in reducing water resistance. This allows for you to move faster underwater. Besides that, it also helps keep your scalp and ear from pool water.
There are two types of swimming caps but we recommend for beginners to use the NABAIJI mesh fabric swimming cap. The most important part, it is easy to wear due to its soft material. It only cost RM9.00.
Anti-Fog restorer
This is extremely optional but good to keep in handy. As the name suggest, it helps keep the anti-fog solution in your goggle lenses present. Some goggles such as those recommended already have these solutions. However, overtime this solution washes away. Hence, the anti-fog restorer is born.
We recommend the NABAIJI Swimming Goggle Anti-Fog restorer, worth RM15.00. Its application is simple, just highlight the lens of your goggle. Leave to dry for 3 minutes. Then give it a try to test out your goggles.
What are the essential swimming equipment for professionals?
You have officially mastered all the 4 basic strokes. You have now become graduated to an intermediate swimmer. This is where your swimming coach should focus more on swimming techniques. Besides that, you will be learning two need techniques, this would be diving and tumble turn.
With new techniques, you would also need new tools to help you train. This would cater more towards strength training, speed enhancement and breathing tempo. Here are the items that you would most likely require amongst others.
Pull Buoy
This is a floatation device. Swimmers would wedge this in between their legs. This is to restrict themselves from kicking while keeping them afloat. The purpose of using this item is to train your core and upper body strength.
Through the restricted usage of your legs, your core and upper body would be the emphasis to keep yourself afloat. Besides that, it also allows you to focus more on your breathing. Since, you have one less item to focus on. The training techniques that can be used with this item are
- Normal lap swimming
- One hand Front Crawl Pull
- Alternate Breathing Front Crawl Swim
There are many types of pull buoys which differ in shapes and sizes. Some come in the form of a multi-functional kickboard. Some come in a two-piece pull buoy. However, we recommend you to get NABAIJI 500 swimming pull buoy.
It has an ideal buoyancy of 18N for a medium sized swimmer. This would help you lift your legs easier during the stroke. Addition to that, it has an ergonomic shape which gives you good stability and control of your legs. A good way to note this would be that you are still able to do a somersault. The price of this product is RM39.00. Although, we do recommend that the bigger your body is the bigger pull buoy you need. Fortunately for you, for an additional RM10.00 to you can get the larger size, which gives you a buoyancy of 22N.
A general rule of thumb would be if you weigh 60kg or less go for M size while if you are more than 70kg, go for L size. If you are in between, we recommend going for L to give you a higher intensity of training.
Hand Paddles
This is an item that slips on your hand while swimming. The purpose of this is to restrict the flow of water through your fingers. Through this restriction, you would need more force in order to perform your hand pull. Besides the increase in strength, this strain on the arm muscle, also gives you more awareness to your pulling technique.
The main benefit that the hand paddle provides is in its lengthening of leading arm. This would improve your distance per stroke and no doubt you’re timing as well. Here are some training techniques that you can implement.
- Normal Lap Swim with paddle
- Normal Lap Swim with paddle and pull buoy
- Alternate one hand front crawl
Similar to the pull buoy, there are many types of hand paddles. This ranges from hand paddles to finger paddles to freestyle paddles. However, without over complication, the hand paddle is the most common and easy to find in the market. Likewise, it is the most cost centric. The hand paddle is designed for overall comfort and ease of wearing for the swimmer.
Our recommendation would be to look at Decathlon’s NABAIJI Swimming Hand Paddles Quick’In. They provide excellent propulsion by restricting the flow of water. Besides that, it is easy to fit with its dressing method. Now, why is it called a hand paddle? Simple, because its ergonomic design fits the shape of different sizes of hands. Similar concept is applied with finger paddles or freestyle paddles, their ergonomic design is fit for either one’s finger or specific freestyle stroke.
A common point to note, if you have smaller sized hands or body, preferably go for the S size option. This is because if you wear an oversized paddle for your hand, you may bear the risk of overstraining your forearm muscle or shoulder that causes injury.
Swim Fins
Swim fins are commonly used to trained the weakest part of our kick. The up-kick.
The up-kick is the motion of pushing water upwards to increase speed as opposed to just splashing downwards. Besides that, you will feel like a superhero. Really, research has shown that you will be going at double your speed and reduce kick frequency and energy cost by 40%.
Aside from this, ankle flexibility is also something that using a fin provides as it allows for a clearer awareness on your leg patterns. Here are some training techniques that you can implement
- No breath dolphin kick
- Normal Lap Swim
- Leg strength training with kickboard and fins
Now there are two types of fins that are being typical used. Long and short fins. Long fins have been used for decades by swimmers because of its intensity in training. Longer fins tend drag more water hence making it harder than short fins. Short fins have been increasingly common this couple of years. This is similar to the previous reason short fins, drags less water and reduce energy expansion.
We recommend the NABAIJI Short easy swimming fins. This is designed for beginners who are just trying out for the first time. They are short and flexible which expenses less strength and build lower body strength. It has a great propulsion which provides an enjoyable swim. It is also made with a thermoplastic elastomer for comfort. Furthermore, it is priced at an entry level of just RM39.00
Now, if you have used fins before and are pursuing to acquire a more competitive edge in your swimming journey. Do have a look at NABAIJI Topfins 900 rigid long swimming fins. This is where the fins enable good kicking frequency to boost cardio workout. It also has a more rigid structure to provide a more intense workout compared to the previous fin. Due to its higher quality and fabric, it is priced slightly higher at RM69.00.
Optional advanced swimming tools
Now, with the increase of your skills in swimming. Perhaps even pursuing a more competitive route. You may require some swimming equipment that could help give you a competitive edge or level the playing field. Here are some of the items:
- NABAIJI 900 Fast men’s competition jammer shorts (Recommended Product) – Aqua-race technology to reduce hydro-drag
- NABAIJI Women’s Aqua-fitness shorty one piece (Recommended Product) – Design for support of women’s body
- NABAIJI B-fast swimming goggles (Recommended Product) – Designed for competitive swimming
- NABAIJI 900 moulded silicone swimming cap (Recommended Product) – Tight fit for competitive swimming
What are the fun & family friendly items?
There are many benefits of swimming from being a beginner to competitor. However, a hidden benefit that we are not aware of is, family bonding. Now, research have shown that babies/children exposed to swimming are more likely to:
- Build muscle
- Improve sleeping patterns
- Reduce risk of drowning
Besides that, it allows for some good family bonding time between the family and child. Here are some items that you can use at the comfort of your own garden or semi-private swimming pool.
NABAJI Children Small Swimming Pool Tidepool (Recommended Product)
During this pandemic, many people are cautious about entering pools. This includes their own semi-private swimming pool, such as their condominium swimming pool. That’s why we recommend this tidepool. It is designed for children aged 1-6 years old. The best part is, it can be assembled in just 5 seconds or less.
It can store up to 180 litres of water while, having a diagonal width of 120cm. This would be just enough for your child to get an initial feel of being in water. This product is also easy to carry around, as its total weight is only 1kg. At only RM99.00, it is a small price to pay for your child’s first aquatic discovery session.
NABAJI Baby Seat Swim Ring (Recommended Product)
This is probably the most commonly used baby swim tool out there. It is a baby seat where your child seats in the middle of the float. Then, you would be pushing them around. This places little to no scare on your child, which also means no scare on yourself too.
It has a deep and smooth inner seam. This is to keep your child safe and comfortable. It is recommended for babies between 11-15kg. This product is priced at only RM35.00, which is a steal for safety and pleasure of your child in water.
NABAJI Aquaway 150cm water course (Recommended Product)
Let’s say your child is now comfortable being around water. In the swimming world, we call this water confidence. You could try out this water course. This is tool can be for you to test your child’s breathing.
You would be placing the two hemisphere rings in the toddler pool. They will then sink to the ground. Once done, you could place child’s favourite toy on opposite ends. They then will crawl in the water from one end to the other underwater.
As a friendly advice, if your child is comfortable doing this between the age 3 – 5. Our recommendation would be for you to send them to swim school. You have a real winner there with great potential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does my child really need goggles while swimming?
Yes, we do recommend in all scenarios to wear goggles. This will get them more used to it.
There are so many types of swimming equipment, when do I only need to buy them?
In most situation, your coaches will recommend when is the appropriate time to purchase this equipment. So, no need to worry too much.
How often do I need to change goggles?
Typically, an average goggle can last between 4-6 months. Unfortunately, the only fix is to get a new one. Hence, we recommend cheaper alternatives so cost saving purposes.
Buying Guide
In all honesty, buying essential swimming equipment for beginners, intermediate, and fun can be difficult. Especially, if you are new to do this sport. So, here are a few tips for you.
- When you buy swimwear, if you feel it is tight. Don’t worry, swimwear is supposed to be tight to be you a hydro-dynamic while you swim.
- It is recommended not to buy silicone swim caps for children. As they may not necessary like the feeling of a tight object squeezing their cranium.
- In all swimming equipment such as kickboard, pull buoy or hand paddle. Always get the larger one if the small one doesn’t fit. This is true even if the larger one is loose.
Swimming as a whole
We have covered all the relevant and basic equipment that a swimmer would need. This is across the three different stages as a whole. The essential swimming equipment recommended here are suggested with the concept of functionality and cost in mind.
Do consult your swim coaches and experts wherever possible to find the best fit. Right technique and method should still be employed at all times. This is for effective training sessions and your safety. As the saying goes, “the sword is only as mighty as the wielder”. If you think this article “Essential Swimming Equipment for Beginners, Intermediate, Fun (Found in Decathlon Malaysia)” useful, please share with your friends and family.