What gear will my child need for swim lessons?

I'll never forget the five-year-old who showed up to the first day of my Level 1 swim class with a wet suit, snorkel mask, goggles, arm floaties, and what must have been an entire bottle of sunscreen on his face (we were at an indoor pool). I was relieved to see him show up on day two with just a swim suit, goggles, and towel waiting for him at the end. I guess his mom got the message.


The gear your child needs for swim lessons will depend on the type of lesson and its location. First and foremost, communicate with your swim school, instructor, or coach. If there are any gear requirements, they'll be able to fill you in. But generally, your child's gear needs will be simple. Let’s take a look at the types of lessons and locations and what gear you’ll need for each.

Lessons in General:

To get started, all your kid will really need is a swimsuit. And while that covers the essentials, there are a few other gear items that are nice to have on hand.

• Towel: I was a pretty miserable six-year-old the day my mom forgot to bring my towel to my swim lesson. It just so happened to be a cooler morning, so do your kiddos a favor and get a good beach towel for pool time.

• Goggles: For better or for worse, my kid refuses to swim without them. Goggles can be helpful for kids to learn how to put their faces in the water. Getting water in your eyes is one less thing to worry about. Some kids require them, some could care less. Keep in mind that some swim schools do not allow the use of goggles in lessons, so again, check with your instructor.

Outdoor Lessons:

Nothing says summer like mornings outside at the pool for a good old swim lesson. While being outdoors is nice, there are a few gear-related things to keep in mind:

• Sun protection! I can’t stress this enough. My Scandinavian heritage was very unforgiving anytime I forgot to put on proper sun protection. Figure out what kind of protection you want and make it happen! That might be sunscreen, a rash guard, a water hat, or even some Zinc Oxide.

• Sunscreen: Pretty magical stuff: put some on any exposed skin and rub it in until the skin glistens. For the best protection, apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is widely available and there’s usually a sunscreen for all preferences: spray, cream, oil-free, sensitive-skin, vegan, you name it. SPF 30 is the recommended minimum, but SPF 50 all the way to 100 is easy to find. Keep in mind that no sunscreen can block 100% of UV rays, but something like Zinc Oxide can (that’s the stuff you see life guards wear; it’s like a sunscreen that doesn’t rub into the skin).

• Rash Guards: These spandex and polyester swim shirts are a good sunscreen alternative for parents who might be concerned about chemical content in sunscreens. They have the added bonus of blocking all UV rays whereas sunscreen only blocks most or some. Rash guards are widely available in a variety of colors, patterns, and cuts. Styles include long sleeve, short sleeve, and turtle neck, among others. They’re fine to get wet, they dry quickly, and don’t wear out fast. I used the same rash guard for over six years.

• Water hats: Like rash guards, water hats are a good sunscreen alternative and also come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Often used in combo with a rash guard, water hats excel at protecting the areas that most often get fried by the sun: nose, ears, and the back of the neck.

• Hydration: Kiddos work hard in swim lessons! And being in a pool, people often forget how much you might be sweating while you’re splashing around. At any swim lesson, I always recommend having a water bottle nearby. Stay hydrated before, during, and after your swim lesson.

• Appropriate footwear: Those outdoor pool decks get hot in the summer! Make sure your kid has some good footwear to walk from the car to the pool. After swim lessons, any footwear they have is likely to get a little damp, so having something that doesn’t require socks and can handle some water is a plus. This includes footwear like sandals, flip-flops, or crocs.

Swim Team:

If your child is starting on a swim team, there are some additional items you might need to have. Check with your kid’s coach.

1. Swim suit: On a swim team, swimmers don’t wear regular swim suits. For girls, two pieces or bikinis are a no-go. They’ll need a single piece competition suit. For boys, swim trunks or board shorts are out. They’ll use competition suits, usually jammers (think spandex form-hugging biker shorts) or speedos (think... Europe).
2. Goggles: Competition goggles are different from recreational swim goggles. Swim team goggles fit differently so they don’t get pulled down or full of water during races. My personal favorites are the TYR Socket Rockets. If your child is transitioning from swim lessons to swim team, chances are you’ll need to get some new goggles.
3. Equipment: Swim teams usually provide kickboards and maybe pull buoys. But if your child is older or getting to an advanced competition level, they’re likely going to need some fins (for feet) and paddles (for hands). Everyone’s preference is different, so you might need to try a few brands or styles. And having a swim bag to keep all your equipment in is nice too.
4. Caps: That’s the thing swimmers wear on their heads. Lady swimmers will definitely want one and many male swimmers like to practice with one too.

What NOT to bring:

Whether it’s lessons or swim team, there are a few items that are best left at home or in your own pool. If it’s on this list, it’s because I’ve seen it happen. These include:

• Pool toys (like diving rings, toy boats, etc. Your swim school will have everything they need.)
• Pool noodles (or other foam toys and gadgets)
• Life jackets or arm floaties
• Water guns, super soakers
• Water balloons
• Bribery snacks including, but not limited to: crackers, cheerios, and fruit roll-ups
• Inner tubes
• Pets
• Go-pros

Hopefully, you get the idea. In reality, the gear and equipment needs for swim lessons are pretty straightforward. Keep in mind whether your lessons are indoor or outdoor, consult your swim school or instructor, and your kid will be good to go!