As a beginner in the swimming world, it can be difficult to get all of your questions answered. Swimming is relatively straightforward, you don’t need much to get started. Just grab a bathing suit, goggles, and hop in for a dip.

With that being said, there are still an abundance of different pieces of equipment and gear which can help you progress much more quickly as a swimmer. Here are the basics on what every swimmer should have in their gear bag. 

Unless you're a fish, you’ll most likely need a pair of goggles to help you see through the water and prevent eye damage. It’s important to pick a pair of goggles that fit you right. Leaks and bruises on your face are the last thing you want as a swimmer. No matter the duration and intensity of your workouts, you’ll want your goggles to be comfortable around your eyes.

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Something which is often overlooked by a lot of swimmers is the importance of a cap. A swim cap eliminates any drag produced by your hair. In swimming, the less drag resistance you produce, the faster you move. Caps are crucial for every swimmer on all levels, no matter how much hair you have. If you don’t already swim with a cap, try one out and see how much easier moving through the water becomes.

As a novice swimmer, it’s very important to develop strong, powerful legs. Having a reliable kick behind your strokes is very crucial for overall development of the 4 swimming strokes. Using a kickboard will allow you to isolate the legs and focus solely on your kicking. Any size board is sufficient, although I would recommend starting with a larger, more buoyant kickboard until your kick becomes stronger over time. 

Not only does wearing fins make your workout much more fun, they also provide swimmers at all levels with very tangible benefits. Fins will help you move effortlessly through the water, allowing you to focus on things like technique and performance. They can also be useful in developing the underwater dolphin kick. Your ankle flexibility will also be improved after using fins for an extended period of time. Make sure to pick up a pair of fins which fit you well and won’t slip off in the water. 

It’s important to build the proper foundation in your technique and your habits early in your swimming career. Having the right gear in your bag will have a very large positive impact on the progress you make in your swimming.