Swimming - Swim Suit

A competitive swimsuit is a clothing element used in aquatic sports such as swimming, diving, triathlon etc. Generally, the swimsuits are made from low resistance fabric which can subsequently reduce the skin drag. Dive skins (unique swimsuits) are also used in competitive swimming and diving. They are made from a synthetic fabric called spandex which contributes to little thermal protection and defence against skin abrasion and stings.

Few other unique swimsuits worn by competitors include partial bodysuits, racerback styled suits, jammers and racing briefs. The competitive swimsuits have more advantages over regular swimsuits. It reduces the friction and drag rate in water, increases the efficiency of swimmer’s forward motion, the tight fit aids in effortless movement and reduces the muscle vibration.

Types of Swim Suits

• Swim briefs - The swim briefs are also referred to as competition briefs, bathers, racer bathers, racing briefs, posing briefs and "budgie smugglers" (in Australia). The swim briefs are male swimsuits worn by athletes during competitive swimming and diving. It has a V-shaped cut in front and back with form-fitting coverage and are composed of nylon, spandex, polyester and other durable materials. The briefs are worn below the lower waist and secured with either a drawstring or an elastic waistband. The Australian Speedo brand, established in 1928, is the most popular racing brief manufacturing brand.
• Drag suit - It’s a pair of baggy trunks worn over the regular suit as additional clothing. It either has a square-cut or a brief-style design and functions in providing additional resistance. The capacity of providing resistance by the suit increases if it is worn-in, torn or ripped. However, the drag suits hinder the swimming capability of the swimmers and aren’t preferred in competitive swimming competitions.
• Kneeskin - It is a competitive swimwear worn by both the male and female athletes. Kneeskins are manufactured with the aid of technologically advanced lycra fabric which provides tight-fitting to the swimmers. The suit also increases the speed and adjacently decreases the drag resistance in the water. The kneeskin has a similar designing to the full-bodyskin except the leggings below the knee. The kneeskin is majorly used in the highly competitive levels of the sport and are quite expensive.
• Jammer - The jammers are worn by male swimmers primarily in racing competitions. They are made of nylon, lycra/spandex or polyester with a form-fitting design that aids in reducing the water-resistance and they also dry-out quickly. The jammers provide moderate leg coverage and resemble a lot to cycling shorts or compression shorts. However, it provides good leg coverage as compared to swim briefs and square leg suits.
• Legskin - The legskin swimwears are also worn by male swimmers and are composed of lycra- based fabrics. It tightly fits the body of the swimmer to increase the speed and decreases the drag resistance. The legskin covers the mid-waist region up to the ankles and are flexible. Although since 2009, FINA banned the use of legskin in competitive swimming as it provides unfair advantages to the swimmers.
• Racerback - These swimsuits are worn by female swimmers that incorporate an uncovered top-back to provide flexibility and better movement of the arms. These are the most common types of swimwear for women nowadays.
• Square cut - It is also regarded as square leg style suit worn by male swimmers. These are less revealing swimwears in comparison to swimming briefs and are most suitable for water polo and diving competitions. Square cuts are made from nylon and spandex and were highly popular in the 1950s as recreational swimsuits.

Evolution of Competitive Swimsuits

In earlier times, male and female swimmers used to wear one-piece swimming suits made of wool that used to provide complete coverage from hips to shoulders. In 1928, the first competitive swimwear "racerback swimsuit" was introduced by Speedo (then Fortitude).

In the 1950s, nylon swimwears were manufactured that were more robust and smoother with a capability to reduce water resistance. By the 20th century, nylon, a blend of nylon and lycra swimwears were produced. Later, the manufacturers created full-body swimsuits but without arms, head and feet to reduce drag. In 2008, Speedo introduced another swimsuit design - LZR Racer swimsuit for the Beijing Olympic Games. Later in 2009, polyurethane swimsuits became popular as they helped to improve the performance of the athletes but were later banned by FINA.