Make A Splash With These Great Gifts For Swimmers

If you know someone who loves nothing better than being in the pool, check out these great gift ideas for swimmers that they'd really appreciate. 

Swimming is a fantastic hobby to get into. 

As not only will it keep your body fit, strong and flexible, it will also leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed mentally too.

And being a low-impact exercise, as the buoyancy of the water supports your body as you swim, there is much less pressure and strain on your joints than with other forms of exercise.

Which makes swimming suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

So if you have a friend or loved one who is a swimmer, you should encourage them to keep it up, as it's doing them the world of good.

And what better way to do that than by getting them a gift to improve their swimming experience.

The good news is you have so many options when it comes to gifts for swimmers, depending on which type of gift you want to give.

And to give you inspiration, we recommend the following as being gifts that any swimmer would love to receive:

Read on to find out why they make such inspired gifts for swimmers.

Great Gift Ideas For People That Love Swimming

When it comes to gifts for swimmers, there are a variety of options available to you.

For instance, you could focus on their swimming kit, keeping them looking good and moving through the water with the greatest ease.

Or you could look at swimming accessories that will improve their technique and help them to swim faster and more efficiently.

Then there are things that can protect them and keep them healthy as they swim (and afterwards).

Or items that will liven up their swimming experience or help them to track their progress.

So work out what you think the swimmer in your life would appreciate the most, then check out the following gift ideas to find something suitable.

If you swim regularly, then what you wear to the pool is going to be important to you.

So you will want it to be comfortable to wear, stylish, and be flattering and forgiving in the right places.

But you'll also want it to be able to perform well in the water, be long-lasting, and create as little drag as possible so you can go as fast as you can.

So if you can find a swimming costume that ticks all of these boxes, then this would make a fantastic gift for any swimmer.

Now for men there are two popular styles of swimwear.

Jammers for the more serious swimmer, which are skin-tight, long shorts that come down to the knee, and briefs that are more comfortable (and revealing!) and are perhaps a better option for a casual swimmer.

While for women you can find bikini type swimwear, but for regular swimming, especially lap swimming, you are better off going with a one-piece swimsuit.

And a good place to look for swimwear to give as a gift is the Speedo Endurance Plus range.

As you have a wide variety of choice, colours and styles within this range, and I've given you an example of each type of swimwear below to give you some idea of what they look like.

These swimsuits are made from the endurance plus material that is a polyester blend with a 4-way stretch, making them body hugging for minimal drag, but still very comfortable to wear.

And this material is also chlorine resistant, so it will stand up to regular use and last longer than other makes of swimwear.

Which makes it perfect for the rigours of the swimming pool. 

And as a final bonus, these swimsuits are also quick drying, lightweight, and retain their shape and colour really well.

So they are a great choice to give as a gift that will last, and keep your swimmer looking good at the pool for many sessions to come.

Technique is everything for swimmers, whether you are a beginner just starting out or a seasoned athlete competing in races.

For example, it can save a beginner so much energy and effort, as rather than fighting against the water (spoiler alert, you'll never win this battle!), they can glide through it with ease and grace instead.

While for the competitive swimmer, improving your technique is the best way to go faster and shave a few seconds off your personal best.

And for all swimmers, a good technique will greatly reduce the chances of picking up any strains or injuries from your swimming sessions.

So why not get someone a gift that can help them with their technique? 

This will be appreciated by swimmers of all levels, and has the potential to improve their whole swimming experience. Which makes it a pretty cool gift idea in my opinion.

The following items will all prove helpful for improving swimming technique and proficiency.

Strapping on a pair of fins when you go swimming is great fun.

Because it feels like being a fish as you power through the water, and it's really exciting to go so much faster than you ever thought was possible in a swimming pool.

In fact, it's like swimming on cheat mode!

However while wearing fins is undoubtedly fun and exciting, they can also help to improve your swimming ability in more ways than one.

Firstly they help to improve your body position in the water, as you tend to swim higher up towards the surface while wearing them because of their buoyancy.

They'll also increase the load on your legs during your swim, which helps you to strengthen them and increase the power of your kicking, making you go faster when the fins come off.

And you'll learn to kick less frequently, which gives you a better technique and means you'll use up less energy during each lap.

Wearing fins will also take the load off your shoulders, so they are great to use when your upper body muscles are feeling strained and sore.

So fins are likely to be an essential part of most regular swimmer's kits, and a great pair to get as a gift for someone are the Arena Powerfins.

These fins are a good choice for a couple of reasons.

They are made from silicone rather than rubber, which means they are more supple and you'll have less chance of ending up with blistered feet after wearing them.

And they have an open heel design (rather than closed), which increases the range of motion in your foot, and as a result helps to increase the flexibility in your ankles.

So if you want to give a swimmer an idea of what it'd be like to fly up and down the pool like Michael Phelps, these fins and a little imagination will do it!

Hand Paddles

Strapping on a pair of hand paddles is another way to move through the water faster, as because of their pull on the water, they allow you to swim further with each stroke.

And they are also great for improving your swimming technique and your overall strength.

As you can really feel if your pulling motion is right or not while wearing them, meaning you can fine tune it to perfection so you glide through the water with maximum efficiency.

And wearing paddles will also build up your power, as you get more resistance from the water with each stroke while wearing them. So you work harder and get stronger as a result.

So while hand paddles will already be a part of most regular swimmers kit, a new pair will never go amiss.

And a good pair of all-rounders are the Speedo Preflex Paddles.

These paddles are designed as a training tool to help improve stroke technique, and they are suitable for all swimming styles.

They come with scalloped edges which helps you to achieve a smoother pull through the water.

And they are also made to keep resistance levels up to increase your strength as you use them.

So if you're looking for a set of swimming paddles to give as a gift, these ones are a good bet.

A Pull Buoy

Pull buoys are floats that you place between your thighs as you swim, and they serve two purposes.

Firstly, they immobilise your legs, so the entire load of the stroke is placed upon your upper body.

And secondly, the buoyancy of the pull buoy raises your hips up closer to the surface of the water, allowing you to glide through the water faster and with less effort.

So using a pull buoy when you train is a great way of strengthening and building stamina in your arms and shoulders.

And by disabling your legs, you can focus on perfecting your hip rotation as you swim, which will keep your body aligned and balanced, improving your technique and decreasing the chances of injury.

This makes them a pretty cool gift for swimmers, and a good choice in this category is the Finis Foam Pull Buoy.

This one is made from an EVA foam which prevents the skin irritation that you can get from using other pull buoys.

And it looks pretty cool too with it's bumble bee design, which is always a bonus!

A Head Snorkel

While training with a snorkel may feel strange at first, they can be helpful for competitive swimmers to iron out bad habits within their technique, as it allows them to work on their stroke without having to turn their heads to breathe.

And this has a few benefits.

Firstly it balances out your breathing.

Now we all have a dominant side, but rather than taking bigger lungfuls when we are breathing that way rather than the other, using a snorkel will keep your breathing even and balanced throughout.

As a consequence your stroke will be more balanced too, which helps to prevent muscle imbalances forming which lead to injuries and strains.

And snorkels are especially helpful for swimmers swimming freestyle, as they encourage them to keep their head down and straight, rather than looking forward or to the sides.

So a snorkel can be really helpful for swimmers that are serious about perfecting their technique, and a great one to give as a gift is the Finis Swimmers Snorkel.

This has an adjustable head bracket that means it will fit anybody, and will stay in place whether you are swimming butterfly, freestyle or breaststroke.

You can even do flip turns while wearing it.

And there is a one-way purge valve which allows the water to be released from the tube without entering the mouthpiece.

So you won't end up gulping down a mouthful of chlorinated water along the way (which is always a bonus!).

As you can see, there is usually far more stuff going into a swimmers bag than just a towel and their swimming costume.

So getting them a bag which can hold all their gear can be a great gift.

However you need to make sure that you get a bag designed specifically for swimmers, as it needs to offer an element of water resistance as well as keeping your wet swimming kit and dry stuff separated.

And one that does this and a whole lot more is the Speedo Teamster Swim Bag.

This bag is full of different compartments, and with a 35-liter capacity it's roomy enough to get all your swimming stuff into.

The bottom is water-resistant, so your contents are protected when it's sat in areas that can be wet, such as on the floor of the changing room or by the side of the pool.

Plus it contains a removable 'dirt bag' where you can store your wet items without fear that they'll leak onto your dry stuff.

It has also been designed for the needs of the more modern day swimmer, as there is a special sleeve to hold a 15" laptop while keeping it dry and protected.

So if you're looking for a gift that will keep your loved one organised and keep their kit protected, this swim bag is a top choice.

Help Them To Track Their Progress

While swimming is a great form of exercise, it can sometimes be hard to motivate yourself to head out for a swim when you're feeling a bit tired or lazy.

However, a great way to get over the occasional periods when you are lacking in enthusiasm is to keep a track of your swimming progress over the weeks and months.

Because once you start seeing the improvements, you will be super keen to keep pushing on and improving even further, setting more and more goals for yourself as you go.

It's just human nature.

And this will mean days sacking off training in favour of a Netflix marathon are simply not going to be an option.

So help someone set out and keep track of their swimming goals by getting them a swimming tracker, and a great one to go for is the Garmin Vivoactive HR. 

This tracker is great for swimmers, as it tracks almost every statistic from your swim.

Simply set the correct length of the pool in the tracker before you begin, and it will track the total distance you swim, the number of laps, your pace per lap, the number of strokes you take, your overall time, calories burned, and your SWOLF score to measure if you are swimming efficiency.

You can then upload your stats to the Garmin app and keep a track of your swimming progress over time.

So it's pretty great, and as it's a couple of years old now, you can pick one of these up at a reasonable price.

And you can also use it for a ton of other sports, such as running, cycling, and walking, as well as counting your daily steps and keeping track of your heart rate.

So if you want to help keep a swimmer motivated, focused and enthusiastic about their swimming sessions, one of these trackers is the ideal gift for them.

The sense of peace and tranquility you get while swimming underwater is one of the best aspects of swimming for me.

In fact it's almost meditative, as your mind is allowed to wander without the 101 distractions we are faced with constantly outside of the pool. 

And this is why swimming is such a great stress-busting exercise, as it can put you into such a relaxed and content state.

However not everyone enjoys the sound of silence.

And if you are swimming 5-6 times per week, you might dread the boredom of swimming up and down with only your thoughts for company.

So if you know someone like this, how great would it be to give them a gift that would allow them to listen to music as they swim?

Now as improbable as that may sound (water and electronics are not usually a good mix!), there are a range of mp3 players that have been designed especially to be used underwater.

Which means they are great for swimming.

And my top choice would be the Underwater Audio Waterproof iPod Shuffle.

This is an original Apple iPod Shuffle that has been waterproofed so it can be used in the pool.

As all the electrical components are sealed to protect them against the water, making them watertight, and this has been tested at depths of up to 200 ft, so you can feel supremely confident in this as you swim up and down your local pool.

It clips onto your swimming cap or goggle strap via a built in clip, and it's so compact you'll hardly know it's there.

The iPod itself has a battery life of up to 15 hours, and has 2GB of storage, so you can transfer hundreds of songs onto it from your iTunes library.

You can also listen to podcasts and audiobooks as you swim, which is a great way of utilising your time in the pool and being super productive.

So if you want to put a smile on a swimmers face and liven up their swim, do it with the gift of music with this waterproof iPod.

Help Them To Ease Their Sore Muscles After A Swim

Unfortunately, aches and strains are commonplace among regular swimmers, with the shoulders being the most likely place of pain, followed by the neck and the back.

And with the repetitive movements involved during each stroke, plus the risk of overuse injuries from swimming every day, it's not hard to see why.

So how about buying a swimmer a gift that will help them to ease this pain, and maybe even prevent it from occurring in the first place?

Foam rolling is a brilliant recovery method for elite and amateur athletes all over the world, and can work wonders for regular swimmers.

As day after day of pounding up and down the pool can lead to muscle imbalances causing tight and painful clusters of muscle in your body called muscle knots.

These knots create blockages within the body, and are not only sore, they hinder your body's ability to be able to recover for the next session.

However by rolling your body weight over a foam roller after your swim, you can encourage these muscle knots to release.

And in doing so you will not only get relief from the pain, it will also increase the blood flow to the area of tightness, delivering the oxygen and nutrients to it that your muscles need to repair and recover.

So a real win-win situation.

And getting into the habit of regularly using a foam roller will also help you to improve your flexibility and range of motion, which is great for any swimmer.

So if this sounds like the kind of gift you'd like to give someone, check out the Triggerpoint Grid Foam Roller.

This foam roller is really popular among physiotherapists and there is a good reason why. It works!

As it's firm and textured surface really gets deep into your muscle knots, allowing them to be stimulated and eventually to release.

So one of these will make a great gift for anyone that regularly suffers from sore muscles after swimming.

Help Them To Swim In A Healthier Way

While dealing with sore muscles after swimming is important, how about trying to prevent it instead?

Well one way to do so is to change your swimming technique, as certain styles of swimming can exacerbate stress on different areas of your body, leading to strains, injuries and pain.

One guy who noticed this happening to him was a former competitive swimmer called Steven Shaw. 

Despite years of training, tuition and practice, he found he was really suffering from back, neck and shoulder pain after races.

So he set out to create new styles of swimming that took the strain away from these areas, and instead allowed him to glide more effortlessly through the water, and this resulted in The Shaw Method of swimming.

These new swimming strokes are based on The Alexander Technique, and are all about keeping your body aligned and balanced as you swim.

This takes the pressure off your back, neck and shoulders, while also allowing you to swim more efficiently.

And with less pain afterwards!

So if you want to give someone a gift that will introduce them to something they may not have thought about before, why not give them Steven Shaw's book and see if it helps them.

Some Ideas For Stocking Fillers For Swimmers

If you want to treat a swimmer to a small token of appreciation rather than going the whole hog on a big present, then check out the following gift ideas.

These suggestions will be appreciated by regular swimmers, while also going easy on your wallet.

Which makes them the perfect gifts when you are buying for co-workers or people you don't know quite so well.

A good pair of swimming goggles should be an integral part of everyone's swimming kit for two reasons.

Firstly they protect your eyes from irritation from the chlorinated water and other chemicals in the pool. So there's no need to ever suffer from sore, blood-shot and itchy eyes after a swim.

And secondly, they help you to see better as you swim.

Now for the competitive swimmer this important, because it means they can time their flip turns to perfection, and keep an eye on the lap clock with ease.

But it's also important for the casual swimmer too, as they need to be able to avoid the other swimmers in their lane as they are doing their laps.

So if you know someone whose swimming goggles are looking a little the worse for wear, whether they are part of a swim club or just enjoy the occasional dip, treating them to a new pair will make for a fantastic gift.

The difficulty is getting the right pair of goggles for someone, as everyone will have their own preferences on the fit and feel they like.

But a great pair that should appeal to beginners and experienced swimmers alike are the Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 swimming goggles.

These goggles are a snug fit, and are suitable for most as they come with 4 different nose pieces, so you can choose the one to fit your face (and your conk!) perfectly.

Also the soft silicone eye seals make them more comfortable than most, and work great to keep them watertight as you swim.

And they don't disappoint when it comes to being able to see clearly underwater either, with great peripheral vision and an anti-fog element.

So all in all, they are a great pair of goggles that most swimmers would be delighted to receive.

Swimming regularly in a chlorinated swimming pool is tough on your hair, and if you're not careful it can turn it dry, brittle and lifeless.

So the best way to protect against this is to wear a swimming cap.

By doing so you minimise the amount of contact your hair has with the water (although it's impossible to keep it completely dry), and your hair will stay much healthier as a result.

And it's not just healthier hair that you'll gain by swimming wearing a swimming cap, you'll also be able to swim faster.

This is because there is less drag in the water when your hair is covered.

So if you're racing against a guy with a cue ball, wearing a swimming cap will level the playing field!

So if you're looking for a stocking filler that is both helpful and protective, you won't go far wrong with the Speedo Silicone Solid Swim Cap.

This cap is made out of silicone rather than lycra, which makes it more comfortable as it allows your head to breathe a bit more.

Silicone also doesn't wrinkle as much, meaning less drag as you pass through the water, allowing you to go faster.

And it comes in 13 different colour options, so you can make your gift as colourful as you like.

It can also stretch to twice it's original size, so should fit almost any head!

So help someone save their hair and swim faster by gifting them a swimming cap.

If you know someone who can't get on with wearing a swimming cap, then how about buying them some specially formulated swimmers shampoo and conditioner instead?

As these work to limit any damage to a swimmers hair from regular trips to the pool.

Firstly the shampoo gets the chlorine (and it's smell) out of your hair, while also removing any oxydised metal deposits that can cause hair discolourisation in some people.

Then the conditioner will help to soften your hair again, by replenishing the natural oils that the chlorine strips away.

So it's a double whammy that you can use to keep your hair healthy and vibrant after every swim.

And a brand that are tried, tested and loved by many swimmers is UltraSwim.

These products have been around for years, and will do a great job for your hair.

So while toiletries are not the most exciting gift to give or receive, this shampoo and conditioner could be the exception.

As they make for a thoughtful gift that can really help to take away one of the biggest bugbears for regular swimmers.

Help Them To Avoid Swimmers Ear

Have you ever been for a swim and felt like you had water trapped inside your ear for hours afterwards?

You can feel it sloshing around deep within your ears every time you move your head, making hearing difficult as well as causing ear discomfort.

And no matter how much you try, you just can't get the water out, right?

This is a common (and mostly temporary) annoyance for many swimmers, yet it can turn into a more serious problem if you're not careful. And that problem is called swimmers ear.

Swimmers ear is an infection in your ear caused by water remaining trapped after swimming, which creates a moist environment where bacteria can grow and fester.

And this bacteria can cause many serious problems, including itching, redness, pain, fluid discharge, and hearing problems.

So this is where our final gift idea for swimmers comes in, which are the Swim-Ear Ear Drops.

As applying a few drops of this in each ear after swimming will work wonders for clearing out any trapped water quickly.

Leaving your ears clean and dry, and giving you relief from any hearing problems or ear discomfort.

So as a stocking filler, this gift is a thoughtful one that can help to protect your loved ones if they use the pool regularly.

Rounding Up

I hope that you found this article helpful, and it has given you a better idea of what you can buy for people that love to swim the next time you are getting them a gift.

Because as you can see, you have so many options.

So whether it's helping to improve their swimming skills, strength, style, health or enjoyment in the pool, you can find gifts that they will love.

And by doing so you will also be encouraging them to stay fit, healthy and active too, which makes any of these gifts a great one to give in my opinion.