Yes, you read that right. Dive Right In Scuba is officially stocking swim gear. Why the hell not? Whether you are blowing bubbles at 100 feet or doing the butterfly stroke at the local pool, water is our domain.
Now, we know what some of you die-hard divers are thinking. "I already have fins and a mask, I'll just use those!" Please don't. We love you, but showing up to the lap pool rocking heavy, stiff scuba fins and an Ocean Reef Full Face Mask does not fit the swimming aesthetic. You look ridiculous, and you're going to give the lifeguard a panic attack.
On the flip side, we obviously wouldn't recommend wearing tiny swim goggles to 60 feet unless you really enjoy the feeling of your eyeballs popping out of your skull.
Having the right tool for the job is what matters. Whether you are training for a triathlon, hitting the beach, or just learning how to swim without inhaling half the pool, actual swim gear completely changes your workout. Let’s break down the essentials.
Ditch the Dive Mask for Real Goggles
A scuba mask is fantastic for looking at shipwrecks, but it creates a massive amount of drag when you're trying to swim fast. It also completely kills your peripheral vision, which is how you end up smacking into the lane ropes.
Proper swim goggles give you a watertight seal, hydrodynamic speed, and a crystal-clear field of vision. For ultimate comfort and zero leaks, we highly recommend checking out the Zoggs Predator Flex lineup. They offer polarized and titanium lenses, which are absolute lifesavers for cutting down glare if you are swimming outdoors at the beach or a sunny lap pool. If you're outfitting the kids for swim lessons, the Zoggs Phantom Junior goggles are practically indestructible.
Fins That Do Not Require Ankle Weights
Massive scuba fins are designed to push heavy tanks and thick wetsuits through the water. If you try to swim fast laps in them, you are going to destroy your ankles and burn out in three minutes.
Swim fins are entirely different beasts. They feature short, flexible blades designed to give your legs a power boost while promoting proper kicking posture and ankle flexibility. Snag a pair of Eco Short Blade Fins or Swim Energy Fins. They keep your tempo fast and help you build serious leg strength without putting unnecessary strain on your joints.
Kickboards and Pull Buoys Are Not Pool Noodles
If you think kickboards and pull buoys are just styrofoam toys for kids playing in the shallow end, you are missing out on the best parts of a swim workout.
A kickboard (like the Zoggs EVA Kick Board) completely isolates your lower body. You rest your arms comfortably on the surface while forcing your legs to do 100 percent of the heavy lifting.
A pull buoy does the exact opposite. And for the record, it goes clamped between your thighs, not under your arms like a pool noodle. A Zoggs Swimming Pull Buoy elevates your hips and isolates your upper body. With your legs floating uselessly behind you, you are forced to focus entirely on your arm stroke, core rotation, and breathing technique.
Hand Paddles for Upper Body Power
Hand paddles are like lifting weights in the water. By strapping on a pair of Matrix Hand Swimming Paddles, you instantly increase your water resistance. This builds incredible shoulder and back strength, but it also acts as a brutal lie detector for your form. If your hand entry is sloppy or your pulling motion is inefficient, the paddle will let you know immediately by wobbling or slipping through the water.
The Little Things That Save Your Sanity
Sometimes it's the tiny accessories that keep you from quitting halfway through a workout.
- Swim Caps: Stop letting your hair create unnecessary drag (or turn green from chlorine). The Easy-Fit Silicone Cap slides on easy and makes you wonderfully aerodynamic.
- Nose Clips and Ear Plugs: If water rushing up your nose ruins your flip turns, a low-profile nose clip is a game changer. Same goes for silicone earplugs keeping the pool water out of your head.
- Center Line Snorkels: Want to focus purely on your stroke without having to awkwardly turn your head to breathe every three seconds? A Zoggs Centre Line Snorkel runs right up the middle of your face, letting you keep your head down and your form locked in.
Stop Fighting the Water
Stop settling for worn-out equipment or trying to repurpose your scuba gear for lap swimming. Grab the gear that actually keeps up with you. Browse our entire brand-new collection of swim gear online at Dive Right In Scuba and add some speed to your next water session!