$ for embroidery? cheap swim tech suits?

[pocomom]

My girls are doing really well this year with swimming, but unfortunately it means we have meet fees and travel expenses (two nights in a hotel coming up) and now they need tech suits which run hundreds of dollars, yikes! I already told my 8 year old she can't have a tech suit because she is 8 and growing and won't be able to wear it next season, but I feel bad she'll look different from everyone else, we just don't have the option right now especially knowing she won't wear it again. My 12 year old should be able to fit in it next year, as she is just about done growing, and she will have a few more meets this season that it will work at, plus they are supposed to help with times ...so I am trying to swing it. Does anyone know any sites that we might be able to find a good one cheap other than swimoutlet?

Additionally, they really need a backpack big enough to hold their sweats etc, because 2 of their expensive team sweatshirts have gone missing at meets. Just about everyone on the team has these embroidered speedo backpacks and I just priced out 2 of them for $123.98 where everyone else got them. . They both want the bags enough that they are willing to chip in, but it is still a stretch for me , but if they had something big enough to throw their sweats in the first place maybe we wouldn't be down $100 in sweatshirts. So I found the bags unembroidered at almost 50% off at Swimoutlet.com $34.95 each and free shipping. Was thinking I might be able to take it somewhere to get them embroidered locally at a mall or something, but as I haven't done that before I was wondering what a ball park figure on that would be. It is simple, one name for each no fancy type or anything. Any ideas? Trying to figure out if it would be cheaper when I factor in driving, time and cost...

 

[pjlla]

11 year swim Mom here, chiming in....

Unless your 12 y/o is chasing a Nationals cut time, I personally would skip the tech suit for now. Even if it still fits her next year, they only have a limited life expectancy and a limited number of swims before they are considered "done". There will be plenty of years to buy tech suits for both of them in the future. I didn't start investing in tech suits for my daughter until high school... then even though we only got one season from them (sometimes two if we could make it last until the summer), at least she was able to wear it for both club swim and high school swim.

If you do decide to spend the $$, buy it someplace where they will fit it for her. These things are too expensive to just try ordering one on the internet. Not sure where you are located, but we have a place in MA that we have used and love.... great fitters, great policy. Another thing to consider is that these suits have to be treated VERY CAREFULLY and perhaps your 12 y/o isn't ready for the responsibility and stress. Ask your team coaches about it and ask if your team has an arrangement with any shops that might offer you a small discount.

About the bags..... I held off buying DD a bag her first year, but I did invest in an embroidered Speedo bag her second year. That was the fall of 2004 and she has now taken that SAME BAG to college with her! And believe me when I tell you, that bag has taken a BEATING!! Dragged through the locker room, on the pool deck, on team buses, over-stuffed, unwashed, etc. I did end up doing a small repair on it last summer, but the repair has held up well.

If you think there is any chance they will change teams, go with a plain black bag with just their name. We went ahead and put the team name on as well, but she stayed with that team for 9 of her 10 years of pre-college swimming (and would have stayed for the 10th if the Y hadn't chosen to dissolve the team.... but that is another long story).

Anyhow..... that is my take on it! Good luck to both of your swimmers!......P

 

[Marionnette]

My girls are doing really well this year with swimming, but unfortunately it means we have meet fees and travel expenses (two nights in a hotel coming up) and now they need tech suits which run hundreds of dollars, yikes! I already told my 8 year old she can't have a tech suit because she is 8 and growing and won't be able to wear it next season, but I feel bad she'll look different from everyone else, we just don't have the option right now especially knowing she won't wear it again. My 12 year old should be able to fit in it next year, as she is just about done growing, and she will have a few more meets this season that it will work at, plus they are supposed to help with times ...so I am trying to swing it. Does anyone know any sites that we might be able to find a good one cheap other than swimoutlet?

Additionally, they really need a backpack big enough to hold their sweats etc, because 2 of their expensive team sweatshirts have gone missing at meets. Just about everyone on the team has these embroidered speedo backpacks and I just priced out 2 of them for $123.98 where everyone else got them. . They both want the bags enough that they are willing to chip in, but it is still a stretch for me , but if they had something big enough to throw their sweats in the first place maybe we wouldn't be down $100 in sweatshirts. So I found the bags unembroidered at almost 50% off at Swimoutlet.com $34.95 each and free shipping. Was thinking I might be able to take it somewhere to get them embroidered locally at a mall or something, but as I haven't done that before I was wondering what a ball park figure on that would be. It is simple, one name for each no fancy type or anything. Any ideas? Trying to figure out if it would be cheaper when I factor in driving, time and cost...

You might be able to find a small business that is willing to do the job. Many will consider it to be too small to be worth their effort when you factor in that they will make nothing in the sale of the item itself. In addition to that, they may not want to touch it at all because they don't want to have to replace the bag(s) at the full retail price is they somehow get ruined in the embroidery process (machines can occasionally chew up an item!). Perhaps you can get patches embroidered for your girls and then attach it to the bag yourself.

I would call places instead of driving around.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Another long time swim mom here. I also agree not to buy tech suits for an 8 and 12 year old. They have limited use. I believe the max is 10 times for the lazer. I would not even think about purchasing those suits until your kids are in high school and headed to districts or states.

Our high school swim team used to buy the kids each the backpack bag when they joined the team and that is how my daughter got hers. They have discontinued that practice so my son as a freshman this year did not get one from the team. I purchased it from Swimoutlet.com and took it to a local shop and had them embroider our team logo and his name on it. The embroidery was $12. The shop already does our high school spirit wear so they had the logo already. If you are only getting their name embroidered it should be more than $5-$10 to have that done.

Good Luck!

 

[csjordan]

My girls are doing really well this year with swimming, but unfortunately it means we have meet fees and travel expenses (two nights in a hotel coming up) and now they need tech suits which run hundreds of dollars, yikes! I already told my 8 year old she can't have a tech suit because she is 8 and growing and won't be able to wear it next season, but I feel bad she'll look different from everyone else, we just don't have the option right now especially knowing she won't wear it again. My 12 year old should be able to fit in it next year, as she is just about done growing, and she will have a few more meets this season that it will work at, plus they are supposed to help with times ...so I am trying to swing it. Does anyone know any sites that we might be able to find a good one cheap other than swimoutlet?

Additionally, they really need a backpack big enough to hold their sweats etc, because 2 of their expensive team sweatshirts have gone missing at meets. Just about everyone on the team has these embroidered speedo backpacks and I just priced out 2 of them for $123.98 where everyone else got them. . They both want the bags enough that they are willing to chip in, but it is still a stretch for me , but if they had something big enough to throw their sweats in the first place maybe we wouldn't be down $100 in sweatshirts. So I found the bags unembroidered at almost 50% off at Swimoutlet.com $34.95 each and free shipping. Was thinking I might be able to take it somewhere to get them embroidered locally at a mall or something, but as I haven't done that before I was wondering what a ball park figure on that would be. It is simple, one name for each no fancy type or anything. Any ideas? Trying to figure out if it would be cheaper when I factor in driving, time and cost...

Hi! Swim mom of 2 here! Embroidery for the bags should not be very expensive. I'm sure you can find someone local to do it. Do you have an aquatics center nearby or in town? If so, you could give them a call for suggestions.

Regarding the tech suit, I bought my DD12 one for Christmas. It was not expensive and is a nice first tech suit. TYR Fusion Short John. Link to Swimoutlet.com below:

http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDe...&subscribe=Y&gclid=CPXp8N_rxrwCFfNj7Aodkw8A7w

Good luck!

 

[pocomom]

I would not even think about purchasing those suits until your kids are in high school and headed to districts or states.

I purchased it from Swimoutlet.com and took it to a local shop and had them embroider our team logo and his name on it. The embroidery was $12. The shop already does our high school spirit wear so they had the logo already. If you are only getting their name embroidered it should be more than $5-$10 to have that done.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the info on embroidery prices!
My 12 year is in districts and I believe she is likely to make Junior Olympics/Nationals etc.. I think she has a fraction of a second to cut from 3-4 different events to qualify. So I would like to get the suit if I can. Plus at 12 I think it is a little harder to be the only kid not wearing the suit.

 

[SKTiger]

I swam in high school and college. My mom bought be a black bag and had my name embroidered in white... Needless to say, I still have and use the bag almost 13 years later. I had our stockings embroidered locally at Christmas and was told $8 per name up to 12 letters. Hope that helps!

 

[Swimalie]

Current swimmer and now swim mom here. Watch theTYR suit. I bought one in 2009 to swim at Nationals. With 1 event, it started to rip at the seams. It was not "too" tight but poorly made. I managed to find 2 Aquapels on clearance and used those for the rest of the meet and returned the other. As for getting them, I don't know if I would for even 12 year old. Definite no on the 8 year old. The tech suits are meant for 10 swims, that includes warm-ups. So really 3 races if you add in warm-up and cool down. With that in mind, I would hold off on any tech suits. Maybe a good, new practice suit instead.

I have this bag http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/22246.htm and love it. I've been back in to swimming for 14 years and it took 10 years for the first bag to wear out with 4+ practices a week, meets each month and I use it as my carry-on.

 

[PA Princess]

Another swim mom here (and in PA)! I have two girls the same ages as yours - 8 and 12. I also have two older boys - 17 and 18. They all swim all the time

I recommend the Speedo bags not only because they are popular, but because they are really good bags. They last and last and are designed well for a swimmer. All 4 of my kids have them, and they are worth the money. The older two of the bags we purchased through their high school team with the logo and embroidery (a group order so that gave us a break on cost). My girls have plain bags with a color they chose - no embroidery. We find other ways to mark the bags - key chain with a picture seems to work well for the younger and some pins for the older.

As for the tech suit, I agree with the previous opinion - I would not buy a tech suit for an 8 or 12 year old. My 12 year old is highly competitive in her age group and has asked about a tech suit, but tech suits for me are just a whole other level of competition that I am not willing to go at that age.

However, for my boys at the high school level we have purchased tech suits. These suits are good for 50 laps. My boys have both raced distance events depending on the season, so with districts (as in PIAA - not club/USA type meets) and states we have already had to purchase 2 suits per kid a season, and the high school swimmers do not warm up in these suits.

High school is a whole other level of competitive and the tech suits are appropriate.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

This seems to be posted twice. I replied in the other thread with a link to bags/embroidery.

 

[zoemurr]

I had stockings embroidered before Christmas last year and I believe they were $10 each. I contacted a boutique sewing shop and they told me where to go. Good luck!

 

[katyjeka]

Another swim mom, our third dd is now involved. Our oldest is 19 and swims for St. Vincent. I have to agree with the above poster, I'd hold off on the hi-tech suits for a few more years. At such a young age, they really don't make that much of a difference. They are still working on technique. I'll never forget I bought one for our oldest for the winter champs (my dh thought I'd went crazy)as everyone seemed to be doing so and I followed suit. Well, the girl who placed 1st in all three events was wearing a basic suit. Lesson learned.

 

[Swimalie]

Another swim mom, our third dd is now involved. Our oldest is 19 and swims for St. Vincent. I have to agree with the above poster, I'd hold off on the hi-tech suits for a few more years. At such a young age, they really don't make that much of a difference. They are still working on technique. I'll never forget I bought one for our oldest for the winter champs (my dh thought I'd went crazy)as everyone seemed to be doing so and I followed suit. Well, the girl who placed 1st in all three events was wearing a basic suit. Lesson learned.

Very true. I wear and "old technology" tech suit and maintain national rankings. I have a younger friend who is much faster than I and has never worn a tech suit. Speedy swimming can be done without the tech as long as the swimming is well done.

 

[wiigirl]

I swam in high school and college. My mom bought be a black bag and had my name embroidered in white... Needless to say, I still have and use the bag almost 13 years later. I had our stockings embroidered locally at Christmas and was told $8 per name up to 12 letters. Hope that helps!

 

[kiramay]

Swimmer here, and I have the speedo bag too. I highly recommend it!

 

[danygirl]

Long tim

 

[danygirl]

Long time swim mom here -

You do not want to buy a tech suit for an 8 year old. At that age maybe a speedo fast skin would be good. For a 12 year old, I would say no also - usually if they make zones there is a package you buy from your region that includes suits at a good price.

DD spent big money on her first tech this year - at 17 She bought it from swimoutlet and sized it according to the directions speedo provided. Bitter disappointment - hundreds of dollars wasted - the lazr did not fit!! and there are no returns So if you are going to spend money on a special suit go to a store where they will fit you.. We went to a local store when she made the finals at a really big meet and tried knee skin tech suits. We ended up finding that the speedo suits were too big in the butt (they always are) and too big in the legs. She tried on a dolphin tech suite that was a perfect and over $100 cheaper.

So only buy if you can try on, and keep an open mind

These suits only last a few wears. At a recent meet I noticed that even katie Ledecky, an olympic gold medalist, did not warm up in her tech suit - she wore a practice suit and changed. If you decide to spend $300 on a suit for goodness sakes do not let them warm up in them - you only get a few wears out of these things.

Those big swimming back packs last a long time and are well worth the money,

unless you live in the tropics, I would put my money into nice swim parkas instead of tech suits - my kid wears hers daily in the winter and even brings it to outdoor summer meets,

 

[Swimalie]

These suits only last a few wears. At a recent meet I noticed that even katie Ledecky, an olympic gold medalist, did not warm up in her tech suit - she wore a practice suit and changed.

Were you at the meet where she had the epic 500 free time? It was last weekend, I think. I am on her team but practice with another group (I am the only adult).

One suit that is good but cheaper alternative is Yingfa. They are made by Chinese so they fit a lot smaller than we are used to but they have managed to copy Speedo's fast skin technology. I owned one and could see the similarities. Just order a bit bigger than usual. http://www.yingfa.us/

 

[kawc1945]

I'll second the recommendation to spend the money on a good swim parka! Those things are the best. Our swimmers use them all the time.

 

[jmv223]

It looks like Potomac Valley Swimming is well represented on here! I'm a long time swim mom and swim coach.

I'll third the parka! My daughter and I wear ours everywhere, everyday, especially this winter!

Our team works with a local swim shop for equipment. The team gets credit for everything purchased which gets put back into items for the team and coaches. Their prices are competitive with online swim stores, and the personal service can't be beat. If you have an option like that, for the suits or the bags, I'd go there!