Equipment

Your local pool may have all of the equipment you need (other than goggles) but you're best to call first to confirm.  If you can afford it, it's always best to buy your own fins, paddles and pull buoy so you are guaranteed access where ever you go.  Don't worry about kick boards; there always seems to be one available.  What follows is a list of equipment we typically use in our training.

Great places to purchase swim equipment include Aquasport on Iris, Decathlon at 1055 St. Laurent Blvd and Bushtukah (three locations in Ottawa).

Your local pool may have all of the equipment you need (other than goggles) but you're best to call first to confirm.  If you can afford it, it's always best to buy your own fins, paddles and pull buoy so you are guaranteed access where ever you go.  Don't worry about kick boards; there always seems to be one available.  What follows is a list of equipment we typically use in our training.

Goggles: Take your time to find the style that fits your shape of eye socket and offer greater comfort.  Without the strap on your head, the goggles should suction into your eye socket and stay there for a fraction of a second.

Fins: If you know you have a strong kick then short style fins will be fine for you.  If you are a new swimmer or struggle with the kick, go with a mid-length style.  Short fins extend 4-5 inches beyond the toes while the mid-length fins extend closer to 8-9 inches beyond the toes. Avoid the very long scuba fins.

ottawa swimming fins

Paddles: We recommend a paddle that is roughly the size of your hand.  Larger paddles can result in excessive load on the shoulders.  We also prefer a full paddle as opposed to the more advanced finger paddles.

ottawa swimming paddles

Pull Buoy: When held between the thighs a pull buoy allows you to swim without use of your legs.  Because everyone is built differently, you may require a larger or smaller buoy to float your legs.  If your legs sink, go big!

ottawa swimming pull buoys

Kick Board: We prefer to work with the classic style of board as opposed to some of the triangular ones.  Local pools have ample supplies. If you cannot use the boards at your pool you can buy your own or improvise one out of a pool noodle. One method is to cut the noodle in four equal lengths, duct tape two lengths together then the other two lengths together, then duct tape the two pairs together. Keep some duct tape in your bag for fix ups later on. If you develop a better, cheap method please let me know!

ottawa swimming kick board

Ankle Band: These are used in conjunction with the pull buoy.  They help to ensure you don't kick at all.  Plus they add to drag a little which can be good and bad!  You can buy one or simple take a bike tube, cut out the valve, cut the remainder in half and, presto, you have two ankle bands.

ottawa swimming ankle bands