When your child first joins a competitive swim squad, one of the first questions you'll end up asking is: What equipment do they need to get started?
First port of call - Always start with you swim club/coach first
Before you buy anything, make sure to check in with your new swim club or coach to see if they have a club equipment list. Most equipment lists are relatively similar to each other but some coaches and clubs may prefer you to use a specific set of fins or hand paddles etc. So check in with your club first to give your child the best start possible.
Essentials Every Squad Swimmer Needs
- Large drink bottle - ~1L - Easily overlooked, a drink bottle is an absolute must for squad swimmers to stay hydrated during training. Plastic is best, metal is ok but avoid glass.
- Goggles (2x) - One good pair and one spare; leaks and broken straps always happen at the worst time. Keep a cheap pair as backup just in case.
- Swim cap - Prefer silicone over latex caps if you're able to. They're more comfortable, durable and easier to fit.
- Mesh gear bag (optional, but recommended) - For carrying your swim kit to and from the pool deck. The mesh fabric is breathable, allowing all of your equipment and the bag itself to dry out quickly after use. It also helps to keep all of your kit together.
- Towel - Regular full-size towel or microfibre towel for quick drying and less bulk.
Parents tip..
Regardless of age or level, it's really worth putting your kids name on everything. There are heaps of other kids at swim training every night and morning all with similar (and often the same) equipment. It will frequently get mixed up with other kit or left at the pool even. Lost gear usually becomes “found” gear when it’s clearly labelled.
Junior / Entry level squads
At junior level, the focus is on building good habits, confidence and technique rather than fancy equipment. You don’t need to buy everything at once – just the basics your coach recommends.
The three main training items you’ll usually see are:
- Kickboard - For younger swimmers, a slightly smaller board is often more comfortable and helps avoid arching the lower back. Your club or coach can usually suggest the right size.
- Junior pull buoy - For younger or smaller swimmers, we'd recommend starting with a smaller 3-layer pull buoy to begin with - it gives enough lift without being so buoyant that they feel tipped out of position.
- Junior fins - Short-blade junior fins are great for helping kids develop a strong, steady kick and good body position. They give a bit of extra speed, which can be a huge confidence boost when they’re still building strength too. Look for fins that are snug but not too tight (no rubbing or blisters after a session) - If using any of the Speedo x DMC Fins, you want them to fit snuggly but you should still be able to fit a thumb in between the back of the heel and the heel strap.
Not all Pull Buoys are the same
A 3 layer pull buoy is much smaller in size and buoyancy and is a much more suitable choice for junior / smaller swimmers.
Intermediate squads
As swimmers progress, training sessions get a bit longer and more varied. Coaches will start adding more drill work, speed sets and pull/kick combinations. At this stage, most swimmers will be using a more complete kit:
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Kickboard - Used for longer kick sets and different kicking drills (front, back and side kicking). Many swimmers move to a full-size board at this level, but if your child is still small, a junior board can still be fine – comfort and body position matter more than size.
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Pull buoy - By now, swimmers will be using a pull buoy regularly to build upper body strength and refine their stroke. An adult-sized buoy (often a little larger or thicker than the junior version) is common at this stage. The aim is for the buoy to support the legs without forcing the swimmer to over-rotate or grip tightly.
- Fins - Short blade fins are the best choice for competitive swim training. They're designed to help improve technique, speed, endurance and overall swimming skills. Look for fins that let your child kick with a natural, fluttery kick, not a huge, slow "whale" kick. If they can’t move their feet quickly in them, the fins are probably too long or too stiff.
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Centre-line snorkel + nose clip (optional) - A centre-line snorkel is the one that comes straight up the middle of the face rather than off to the side. A nose clip can help at the start while they get used to breathing only through their mouth. Many swimmers eventually stop needing the nose clip as they become more comfortable with it, but during the early days, they can be quite helpful. A Centre-line snorkel is fantastic for:
- Working on head position and body alignment
- Allowing swimmers to focus on their stroke without turning to breathe
- Helping coaches spot and correct technique issues more easily
- Hand paddles - Hand paddles add resistance and help swimmers "feel" the water better. At intermediate level, it’s important to start with paddles only slightly larger than the swimmer’s hands. There are 2 broad types of hand paddles, the larger flat type which are used for strength training and the smaller hand paddles which are used to help improve technique. At an intermediate level, it's better to focus on technique first. Going too big, too soon can place unnecessary strain on young shoulders, so start small and follow your coach’s guidance on size and how often to use them.
Performance squads
Performance squads are usually for swimmers who are training more frequently, doing higher volumes and targeting competitions regularly. The equipment is similar, but the way it’s used becomes more specific and purposeful.
- Kickboard - Kick sets are often longer and more challenging at this level, including variations like kick on side, kick on back and sprint kick. A comfortable, buoyant board that your swimmer is happy to use multiple times a week is worth investing in.
- Pull buoy - Pull buoys are used heavily for strength and stroke mechanics - often combined with paddles, bands or snorkels.
- Fins - Some swimmers end up with two pairs (e.g. a softer pair for longer sets and a slightly stiffer pair for sprint work), but one good-quality, short-blade training fin is perfectly fine unless the coach suggests otherwise.
- Centre-line snorkel + nose clip (optional) - The snorkel becomes a key tool for maintaining a consistent head position and high-quality technique work
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Hand paddles - Again, following the coach's advice on paddle size and how often to use them is the safest way to protect the shoulders while still getting the benefits. Some coaches do occasionally start to introduce larger hand paddles to the occasional set but most prefer to stick with the smaller technique focused paddles the whole way through.
