Swimming - Goggles

Swimming goggles are necessary safety accessories for the swimmers or those involved with other water sports. The goggles protect the eyes from the chlorine or other chemicals present in the water and provide a clear vision. Few models of goggles also protect the eyes from harmful UV rays and sunburn. Swimmers can comfortably see through the goggles and open them underwater. Swimming goggles also prevent the eyes from any pathogens such as bacteria, pond scum and algae from outdoor water. Swimmers generally prefer clear lenses such as amber, yellow and blue lenses for better visibility. However, the blue lens maximizes the underwater visibility.

Types of Swimming Goggles

• Competition goggles - The goggles fit close to the eye socket which reduces a significant amount of hydrodynamic drag. These are ideal for competitive swimming and are low profile and more technical.
• Practice goggles - The practice goggles are less technical than the competition goggles and can be used for everyday practice. They are made of high-quality rubber as are required to be worn every day for longer durations. The gasket rubber lightens the pressure over the eyes and creates a decent seal.
• Recreational goggles - The recreational goggles are cheaper yet comfortable but come with a less durable anti-fog film on the inner part of the lenses which wear off pretty soon. The goggles are also not suitable to be used for longer durations. 
• Swim masks - The swim masks are specially designed for scuba diving and snorkelling and are bigger than other variants of swim goggles. Many recreational swimmers prefer swim masks over the goggles as they are comfortable and relatively softer.

Components of Swimming Goggles

Lens - The clarity of lenses is crucial for the vision of the swimmers a lot. The clear lenses don’t provide any protection against the sun but are ideal for indoor swimming. The lenses also come in various colours from darker shades like blue, black and grey to other rainbow colours. The mirrored and polarized lenses, on the other hand, have the reflective metallic coating in silver, gold or multicoloured. They are ideal for outdoor swimming and provide clear underwater vision to the swimmers. 

Straps - The straps function in holding the lenses in the right position. They are classified as follows -

• Silicone straps - The silicone straps are colourful, widely used, durable and have elasticity. They can be used in any goggle types and are ideal for all water activities. 
• Bungee cord - Bungee cords also possess a fair amount of elasticity; they are colourful, durable and adjusted with a plastic toggle spring. They aren’t as user friendly as the silicone straps and not ideal for swimmers with long hairs and those swimming without caps. 
• Rubber straps - Rubber was the primary material used to manufacture goggle straps. Rubber straps were ideal to be used in lap swimming, racing, open water, aerobics, etc. 

Nose pieces - The nose pieces provide an additional fit to the goggles. Some of the types are -

• Bridges - Bridges are smaller plastic pieces on goggles with the grooved designing that fit in the goggles main body. It provides a customized fit and comes in majorly three sizes to fit the majority of people. Bridges are widely used in training and competition goggles. 
• String / Rubber / Silicone - These nose pieces are widely adaptable smaller bits of material and highly adjustable. They are pulled through the goggle’s hole similar to threading a needle. 
• Notched - The notched plastic bridges have grooves on both sides and offer a customized fit to the swimmers. They are widely used in kids’ goggles and training purposes.

Evolution of Swimming Goggles

In the 14th-century, swimming goggles were first invented in Persia. The traditional goggles were constructed with polished tortoise shells having good transparency. The pearl divers primarily used them and further used and gained popularity in the Middle East and other countries.

Later, the Polynesian skin divers manufactured wooden goggles with deep frames. The modified goggles can trap air to maintain visibility. In the 1950s, the first rubber goggles with double lenses were used by some open water swimmers. In 1969, modified new versions of goggles produced by Tony Godfrey came into light. The goggles were regarded as "Godfrey Goggles" and were made of polycarbonate being light-weight and shatter-resistant.

In modern times, the goggles are entirely revolutionized. The modern swimming goggles provide better hydrodynamic drag, UV protection, anti-fog and are available in a plethora of sizes and colours.