Gear Up For Success: MAC Equipment Essentials
Equipping Our Swimmers for Peak Performance, Safety, and Enjoyment
The Right Tools for a Champion's Journey
At Mesa Aquatics Club, we believe that proper equipment is a fundamental part of every swimmer's development. Investing in quality equipment is an investment in your athlete's progress and their passion for swimming. This guide outlines essential and recommended gear, and below you'll find how to request specific MAC items.
Need to Request MAC Gear?
For certain MAC-specific items, team apparel orders (when available), or if you have questions about particular equipment recommendations for your swimmer's group, please use our equipment request form.
Your requested equipment will be billed with your monthhly dues and shipped to your home pool. For general items, see the guide below.
Explore Our Equipment Guide Below
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ESSENTIAL Gear
Practice Swimsuits
Durable, comfortable, and chlorine-resistant suits are crucial. For girls, a one-piece training suit is standard. For boys, jammers or briefs allow for optimal movement. Multiple suits are recommended for frequent training.
Benefit: Proper fit ensures freedom of movement and reduces drag, allowing focus on technique.
Goggles
Well-fitting, anti-fog goggles are essential for clear vision and eye protection. Swimmers should have a primary pair and a backup. Look for a comfortable seal and adjustable straps.
Benefit: Clear underwater vision is vital for sighting, turns, and maintaining technique without irritation.
Swim Caps
Latex or silicone caps are required for swimmers with longer hair to keep it out of the face and reduce drag. MAC team caps are required for meets to show team unity.
Benefit: Reduces drag, protects hair from chlorine, and helps keep goggles in place.
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ESSENTIAL Training Aids
Kickboard
A fundamental tool for isolating leg work, building kicking strength, endurance, and proper body position. Choose a size appropriate for the swimmer.
Benefit: Develops a powerful and efficient kick, the engine of fast swimming.
Pull Buoy
Used to isolate the upper body, improve pulling strength, and work on body rotation and stroke efficiency without kicking. Typically made of foam.
Benefit: Enhances upper body strength, core stability, and stroke technique focus.
Training Fins
Short-blade training fins are preferred. They help improve kick strength, ankle flexibility, body position, and allow swimmers to feel the water more effectively at different speeds.
Benefit: Builds leg power, improves kick mechanics, and enhances overall body alignment.
Mesh Equipment Bag
A durable mesh bag is essential for carrying and drying wet equipment like kickboards, pull buoys, fins, and snorkels to and from the pool.
Benefit: Keeps gear organized, allows it to air dry (preventing mildew), and is easy to carry.
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Advanced & Group-Specific Gear
As swimmers progress to more advanced groups, additional specialized equipment may be required or recommended by their coach to further refine technique and enhance training. Always confirm equipment with your group coach.
Swimmer's Snorkel (Center-Mount)
Allows swimmers to focus on body alignment, head position, and stroke mechanics without the need to turn the head to breathe.
Benefit: Improves body balance, stroke symmetry, and allows for focused technical work.
Hand Paddles
Used to build upper body strength and improve the "feel" for the water. Various sizes and shapes exist; coaches will recommend appropriate types.
Benefit: Increases power in the pull phase and enhances awareness of hand entry and catch.
FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro
A small electronic device that provides an audible beep to help swimmers maintain a consistent stroke rate or pace during training sets.
Benefit: Develops race pace awareness, stroke rhythm, and consistency.
Dryland Gear (Group Specific)
Items like exercise mats, foam rollers, lacrosse balls, mini-bands, resistance bands, and jump ropes are often required for group-specific dryland training sessions.
Benefit: Enhances strength, flexibility, injury prevention, and overall athleticism.
For general items like practice suits, goggles, and standard training aids not requiring specific team branding, these can typically be purchased at most sporting goods stores or online swim shops. Your MAC coach can always provide recommendations if you're unsure what to get.
