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23 Creative Gifts for Swimmers They Will Love to Use

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If you are looking for some of the best gifts for swimmers, then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you are a swimmer looking to spoil yourself after smashing a PB or completing a tough season, or a friend or family member looking for a gift for that particular swimmer in your life, this guide has got you covered. 

Celebrations, birthdays, Christmas, and other holidays- whatever the occasion, you’ll be sure to find the perfect swimmer’s gift in this guide.

I’ll be covering gifts that swimmers will find actual use for and will be using on a daily or weekly basis to take their swimming to the next level or make their lives more convenient.

Furthermore, l will also cover gifts for all types of swimmers- competitive, open water, masters, recreational, and more- and I’ve made sure to include gifts from a wide array of price ranges and categories, ensuring you can find something that will fit your budget and that the swimmer will love.

If you would like a quick overview of the gift, I’ve included a classification system at the bottom of each item where you can see some critical information that will ultimately help you make the best gift decision.

How to Pick the Perfect Gift for Swimmers

When it comes to picking the perfect gift for swimmers, there isn’t too much that goes into it- the main thing is choosing the right swimming brand, but there may be other factors involved. That said, pick the right brand, and you’re 80% there.

Swimming Brand

Most swimmers have a preferred swimming brand that they use and support- and getting us to use anything other than that brand is no easy task. That said, this is mostly for critical equipment like tech suits and racing gear- if a different brand makes some cool electronic device or piece of training gear, most swimmers most likely won’t have a problem using it. 

Some of the most popular swimming brands used by swimmers include Speedo, TYR, Arena, and FINIS, but there are many other brands out there as well. For a complete list, refer to my article on the best swimming brands.

So before you pick a gift for your swimmer, make sure to find out what their favorite swimming brand is.

Other Factors to Consider

As mentioned, once you’ve picked the right swimming brand, you’re about 80% there. If you want to go above and beyond with your gift, there are a few other things that you may consider, such as the color of the item and whether the swimmer needs that item at the time.

Items such as swimming equipment (caps and goggles mainly) are always sought after as swimmers go through equipment regularly and often need to replace old and worn-out gear. However, depending on the time of the season, other items such as racing gear, recovery equipment, and shakes, or some cool training electronics may come in very useful as well- so be sure to find out what your swimmer requires.

23 Best Gifts for Swimmers They Will Love Using

Here are 23 gifts for swimmers they will love using-

  • FINIS Smart goggles
  • Training suits
  • Foam rollers and recovery gear
  • Energy bars, gels, and recovery shakes
  • Garmin Swim 2 watch
  • Resistance bands
  • Training equipment
  • Tech suits
  • Wetsuit
  • Anti-fog spray
  • Swim parka
  • Pull-up bar
  • Swimmer shampoo
  • Swim bag
  • Fin socks
  • Activewear
  • FINIS Duo underwater MP3 player
  • FINIS Tempo trainer
  • Flip-flops
  • Swim-branded water bottle
  • Workout mat
  • Exercise balls
  • Monofin

←Scroll to view full table on mobile→

Gift for swimmers Swimmer Class Price Range Gift Class Use Frequency View latest price
FINIS Smart Goggles All Top-range Electronic gear. Daily >View on SwimOutlet
Training suits All Budget to mid-range Swimsuits Daily >View on SwimOutlet
Foam rollers and recovery gear Competitive/ Open-water Budget to mid-range Dryland gear Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Energy bars, gels, and recovery shakes All Budget to mid-range Nutrition Daily >View on SwimOutlet
Garmin Swim 2 watch All Top-range Electronic gear. Daily >View on Amazon
Resistance bands Competitive/ Open-water Mid-range Dryland gear Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Training gear All Budget to mid-range Swimming equipment Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Tech suit Competitive Mid-range to top-range Swimming equipment. Weekly-monthly >View on SwimOutlet
Wetsuit Open-water Mid-range to top-range Swimming equipment Weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Anti-fog spray All Budget Accessories Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Swim parka All Mid-range Accessories Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Pull-up bar All Budget to mid-range Dryland gear Daily-weekly >View on Amazon
Swimmer shampoo All (light hair) Budget Accessories Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Swim bag All Budget to mid-range Accessories Daily >View on SwimOutlet
Fin socks All Budget Accessories Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Activewear All Budget to mid-range Clothing Daily-weekly. >View on SwimOutlet
FINIS Duo Underwater MP3 Player All Mid-range to top-range Electronics Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
FINIS Tempo Trainer Competitive / Open-water Mid-range Electronics Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Flip-flops All Budget Clothing Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Swimming water bottle All Budget Accessories Daily >View on SwimOutlet
Workout mat All Budget Dryland gear Daily-weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Exercise ball All Mid-range Dryland gear Weekly >View on SwimOutlet
Monofin Competitive Mid-range to top-range Swimming equipment Weekly >View on SwimOutlet

1. Finis Smart Goggles

The Finis Smart Goggles is easily one of the coolest gifts you can give any swimmer right now- and I can personally attest to that claim (read my full review of these goggles here). Regardless of which swimming brand the swimmer is loyal to, this is a gift that any swimmer is sure to appreciate and make use of no matter at what level they swim.

Our Smart Goggle Pick
FINIS Smart Goggles

The FINIS Smart Goggle is the most innovative smart swimming goggle available.

Directly display and track your laps, splits, set time, rest time, stroke rate, and more in your goggles with the non-intrusive heads-up display while swimming.

Buy Now On SwimOutlet Our Review

These goggles are nothing like your traditional swimming goggles- they feature a fully adjustable in-goggle display tracking and actively providing swimmers with critical metrics.

Some of the metrics include split times, laps swam, different timing metrics such as rest-, active-, running-, and total time as well as a built-in clock providing swimmers with the time of day- right inside of their goggles.

The goggle will also track an abundance of other metrics such as average pace, calories burned, total distance, and more which will be available for viewing by the swimmer in the CIYE swim app after syncing the goggles with their phone after swimming practice. 

On top of that, the goggle itself is high quality and features good comfort. From using these myself, I recommend getting the blue goggle if the swimmer trains mostly indoors and the white smoke variation if they swim outdoors. 

Overall this is an excellent gift that swimmers of any level will love- the average swimmer will love being able to get an overview of their workouts, calories burned, and being able to sync the goggle with fitness apps such as Strava. In contrast, competitive swimmers will be able to make good use of data such as split times to further their performance in training.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Top-range.
  • Swim gift class: Electronic gear.
  • Swimming brands available: Finis.
  • Gift use: Training.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily.

2. Swimwear

Getting a new swimsuit for training is something every swimmer will appreciate and make good use of, even if they aren’t necessarily in need of a new suit at the time. It’s always nice to change out your swimming suit and have a few extra in your swim bag if you ever need them. 

Swimmers enjoy wearing colorful training suits, so make sure to look out for that. Also, keep in mind whether the swimmer (males) will prefer a brief or a jammer. If you want to gift them something a bit different, you may also consider a drag suit which will add extra resistance to develop a stronger stroke.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget- to mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Swimsuits.
  • Swimming brands available: Most brands available.
  • Gift use: Training.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily.

3. Foam Rollers and Recovery Gear

It’s no secret that swimming is one of the most repetitive and intense sports out there. This causes swimmers to be sore and tight- almost always. In my years of swimming, my trusted foam roller has been one of my best friends providing muscle relief and release in times when I needed it most.

It’s also almost always with me on the pool deck at training and competitions to help me warm up and roll out between races. A foam roller is undoubtedly a handy piece of gear for any swimmer to have- and every swimmer should have at least one. 

Keep in mind foam rollers do tend to get worn out, so gifting the swimmer a new foam roller even if they have one might still be a good idea. You can also gift them other recovery equipment such as massage rollers or trigger balls- these are also really helpful for getting rid of tight muscle knots after training.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: Competitive and open water swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget to mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Dryland gear.
  • Swimming brands available: Mostly general sports brands.
  • Gift use: Recovery, muscle release, warm up.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

4. Energy Bars, Gels, and Recovery Shakes

When you are a swimmer, frequently eating becomes a part of your life due to the sheer amount of calories burned by swimming every day. Apart from refueling your body with calories and nutrients, nutrition plays a vital role in training performance and recovery.

That’s why energy bars, gels, and recovery shakes are gifts that any swimmer will appreciate- and one that will help to make training more efficient and enjoyable. 

Energy bars and gels make for great pre-training and post-training snacks to quickly increase or replenish the glycogen levels in your muscles, allowing for better workouts and faster recovery afterward.

Recovery shakes are also great for after training to refuel with crucial nutrients such as protein for muscle repair, quick-digesting carbohydrates, and electrolytes lost through sweat. 

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget to mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Nutrition.
  • Swimming brands available: General sports supplement brands.
  • Gift use: Training and recovery. 
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily.

5. Garmin Swim 2 Watch

The Garmin Swim 2 watch is another fantastic electronic device that many swimmers will love to use in the water. This watch is perfect for open water swimmers as it has very accurate GPS tracking, as discussed in my article on the best open water swim watches.

The watch offers many tracking features such as swim distance, pace, stroke count, stroke rate, stroke distance, heart rate, and SWOLF (a measurement of swimming efficiency). 

Keep in mind that some competitive pool swimmers may prefer using the Finis Smart Goggles over the Garmin Swim 2 watch (even though the FINIS Smart goggles feature less tracking capabilities) as that device provides a more seamless and interactive training experience. 

However, the Garmin Swim 2 has the advantage of out-of-pool usage, increased tracking capabilities, and accurate open water tracking, as already mentioned. 

Many recreational and fitness swimmers will also enjoy using this device to keep track of their swimming and workout metrics and utilize that to further their training over time.

Overall, this is by far one of the best (if not the best) watches for swimmers at the moment and a gift that any swimmer will appreciate if your budget allows for it.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Top-range.
  • Swim gift class: Electronic gear.
  • Swimming brands available: Garmin.
  • Gift use: Training.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily. 

6. Swimming Resistance Bands and Stretch Cords

Resistance bands are one of the most used pieces of dryland equipment in swimming. A pair of these will make for a great gift as swimmers often use them at training. Repetitive usage also causes them to wear out and need replacement every so often (I’ve snapped about 5 pairs of these things).

These resistance bands, also known as stretch cords or tubing, allow swimmers to perform many dryland strength exercises.

They also allow swimmers to mimic swimming motions on land, enabling them to work on technique and developing power for faster swimming in the water. Resistance bands are also frequently used for warm-up and activation before jumping in the pool.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: Competitive and open water swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Dryland gear.
  • Swimming brands available: General sports brands.
  • Gift use: Dryland strength training and activation.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

7. General Swim Training Equipment

Swimming equipment gift for swimmers

Swimming gear is always in high demand- especially among competitive swimmers who can quickly go through multiple sets of goggles, caps, and other equipment in a season.

Lower levels of swimmers might not need swimming gear as frequently as us competitive swimmers, but it’s always nice to have some extra equipment for when you need it or if you feel like switching things up (you will eventually). 

Below is a complete list of swimming equipment ordered based on what swimmers will find useful. I will also include articles about some of the best swimming equipment if you would like to do some more research.

Swimming equipment that swimmers will find helpful for training and racing-

Swimming Gear Use/ Overview View latest price on SwimOutlet
Goggles Swimming goggles are used both for training and competition, mainly to ensure good vision. Competition goggles are optimized for maximum speed. >View goggles.
Extra Goggle Straps These are replacements straps for goggles as they frequently break and need to be replaced. It’s convenient to have some of these around. >View goggle straps.
Caps Caps are required to be worn by many pools to avoid hair in the pool, but they are also nice for keeping hair out of your eyes. Additionally, racing caps are available, which help to reduce drag. >View training caps.
>View racing caps.
Fins Fins help swimmers to develop a powerful kick and are frequently used in training. Fins are more durable but may need replacement so try to find out if a new pair is needed. >View swimming fins.
Snorkel Snorkels have many uses, such as working on technique, improving lung function, and more. Like fins, they are pretty durable but may need replacement. >View swimmer’s snorkels.
Paddles Paddles are used for building a powerful pull and for working on technical aspects of the arm stroke. They aren’t replaced often, but it’s nice to have some extras, and they aren’t expensive. >View swimming paddles.
Kickboard Kickboards are mainly used for kick sets and developing a solid kick (duh). They are relatively durable but do take quite a beating in training, so replacing them now and then never hurts. >View kickboards.
Swimming parachute A swim parachute is a piece of equipment not every swimmer may own- but it is beneficial to train with every so often. Swimming parachutes will add extra resistance helping to develop power in your stroke. >View swimming parachutes.
Pull buoy Pull buoys are primarily used to emphasize the arm stroke by removing the kick from your stroke but may be used for other purposes as well, like getting a good body position in the water. >View pull buoys.
Nose clips Nose clips keep water out of your nose during strokes like backstroke, but nowadays, many swimmers use them for sprinting events as well. They make for a nice small and inexpensive gift. >View swimming nose clips.
Earplugs Earplugs keep water out of your ears as some swimmers don’t like this feeling or get frequent ear infections. This will make a nice budget gift if it’s something the swimmer uses. >View swimming earplugs.

Some articles if you need more help making a decision-

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget- to mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming equipment.
  • Swimming brands available: Most brands available.
  • Gift use: Training.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

8. Tech Suits

If you have a bigger budget and want to spoil the swimmer, consider gifting them a tech suit. Most swimmers will need to purchase at least one tech suit every season as they are used for racing at big competitions and have shown to provide significant benefits in swimming performance.

Here are some of the top options:

Overall Rating:
4.6
Overall Rating:
4.6
Overall Rating:
4.4
Overall Rating:
4.1
Sprinters and IM
Middle and Long Distance Swimmers
All Events
12 and Under Swimmers
Overall Rating:
4.6
Sprinters and IM
Overall Rating:
4.6
Middle and Long Distance Swimmers
Overall Rating:
4.4
All Events
Overall Rating:
4.1
12 and Under Swimmers

A tech suit will make a great birthday or Christmas gift and can also be an excellent celebration gift if the swimmer has managed to qualify for a big swimming meet or a vital time cut.

That said, if you don’t want to opt for one of the high-end tech suits, consider a mid-range or budget tech suit as they are less expensive but still provide some significant benefits in the water. 

Here are some articles to help you with your decision-

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: Competitive swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Mid-range to top-range.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming equipment.
  • Swimming brands available: Most big name brands.
  • Gift use: Racing.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Weekly (in-season) to monthly.

9. Wetsuit

A wetsuit is one of an open water swimmer’s most prized possessions, especially during colder months and competitions, as they provide both warmth and performance enhancements.

Similar to tech suits for competitive swimmers, these wetsuits aren’t generally cheap by any means, but there are some excellent budget options to consider as well, such as the TYR Cat 1 wetsuit.

So if you’re looking for a gift for an open water swimmer and you want to spoil the swimmer, then a wetsuit is the perfect option.

If you would like some more guidance on swimming wetsuits, consider checking out the following articles-

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: Open water swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Top-range.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming equipment.
  • Swimming brands available: Most major swim brands (note open water brands are slightly different).
  • Gift use: Training and competition.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Weekly.

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10. Anti-Fog Goggle Spray

If you are looking for a smaller budget gift, then a little bottle of anti-fog goggle spray is something that every swimmer will be able to appreciate.

Almost all goggles will eventually start to fog up, even the expensive ones with the cool anti-fog technology. 

Having a little bottle of anti-fog goggle spray around is a convenient way to continue using older goggles without having to continually worry about them fogging up while you are training.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming accessories. 
  • Swimming brands available: Arena, TYR, Aqua-Sphere, Jaws.
  • Gift use: Stop swimming goggles from fogging up.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly (for older goggles).

11. Swim Parka

A swim parka is a gift that almost every swimmer will cherish having around. These large and cozy jackets are designed specifically for swimmers with their water-resistant exteriors and warm fleece-lined interiors. 

Swim parkas are perfect for early morning practices, the cold winter training months, and swim meets, where they will help keep swimmers warm between races ensuring their bodies are ready to perform at optimal levels. 

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming accessories. 
  • Swimming brands available: Speedo, TYR, Arena, Sporti.
  • Gift use: Pre- and post-training warmth. 
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly (winter months). 

12. Pull-Up Bar

A pull-up bar is a piece of equipment that every swimmer should own.

The pull-up is undoubtedly one of the most crucial dryland exercises for swimmers and one that can help you to become a significantly better swimmer.

Although many swimmers probably have access to a pull-up bar at the gym or the pool, not everyone may have one at home. Having a pull-up bar at home is extremely useful and will help enhance your swimming as you can practice pull-ups regularly.

Gifting a swimmer a pull-up bar is an invaluable gift. Luckily, there are many pull-up bars available that swimmers can use at home. My favorite is a wall-mounted pull-up bar, as these are very stable and durable, but a more simple doorway pull-up bar will also be a great option if you are looking for a more budget gift.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget to mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Dryland equipment.
  • Swimming brands available: General sports brands.
  • Gift use: Drryland strength training. 
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly. 

13. Swimmer Shampoo and Conditioner

Swimmer’s shampoo and conditioner is the ideal gift for every swimmer– competitive or not. It’s also relatively inexpensive and will make for a nice budget gift.

Being a blonde myself, I’ve ended up with greenish hair more than once. This is because chlorine, copper deposits, and other oxidized metals commonly found in swimming pools will turn lighter hair to a greenish color if exposed to it frequently (as swimmers are).

Swimmer’s shampoo will combat this and also keep the swimmer’s hair clean and healthy (whether you have light hair or not) by removing chemicals and using unique moisturizing formulas containing essential vitamins and proteins that a swimmer’s hair may need.

For a full list of my top recommendations, check out my article on the best swim shampoos and conditioners.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers with lighter hair.
  • Gift price range: Budget.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming accessories.
  • Swimming brands available: Multiple brands.
  • Gift use: Removing pool chemicals and keeping hair healthy.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily-weekly. 

14. Swimming Bags

Swimming bags are one of the most used accessories by swimmers. These trusted pieces of gear accommodate us to the pool and back multiple times every day. As a result, they often get worn out, and replacing them can never hurt- making for a great budget or mid-range gift option.

There are 2 main swimming bags, namely swimming mesh bags and swimming backpacks. Both take quite a beating regularly. 

Swimming backpacks store towels, snacks, accessories, and smaller pieces of equipment like goggles. 

On the other hand, mesh bags are where most of our gear goes, such as fins, kickboards, snorkels, paddles, and so on.

Swimming backpacks are more expensive but also much more durable. Swimmers like to get these in funky colors and patterns. Mesh bags are generally cheaper and will make for a nice budget gift for swimmers.

For more information on swimming bags, read my article on the best swimming bags for swimmers.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget to mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming accessories.
  • Swimming brands available: All major brands.
  • Gift use: Storing swim gear and accessories.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily.

15. Fin Socks

Fin socks are another nice budget gift that many swimmers will value. Keep in mind this might not be for everyone, though.

Generally speaking, fins can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods and can cause blisters and painful spots on your feet if you use them frequently, as many competitive swimmers do. (I struggle with this myself).

Conventional socks aren’t a great solution to this problem either, as they will wear out much quicker and become nasty fast.

Luckily, fin socks do exist. These are special nylon or neoprene socks made specifically for swimmers to make wearing fins more comfortable and avoid blisters.

So if you know the swimmer you are purchasing a gift for may require a pair or two of these, they’ll make a great gift. Otherwise, they are still convenient to have around in any case for those long fin kick sets.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming accessories. 
  • Swimming brands available: Sporti.
  • Gift use: Training.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

16. Activewear

Even though swimmers spend a lot of time training in the water, we also spend a lot of time outside training, mainly in the gym or on pool deck, doing various strength training routines and dryland circuits to further our swimming performance in the pool. 

Therefore, activewear is a great budget to mid-range gift that many swimmers will appreciate- especially if it is branded with our favorite swimming brand’s logo.

Activewear also makes for a perfect outfit to wear to training or swimming meets.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget to mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Clothing. 
  • Swimming brands available: Most major swim and sports brands.
  • Gift use: Out-of-pool training and wearing.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

17. FINIS Duo Underwater MP3 player

The FINIS Duo Underwater MP3 player is one of the best ways to listen to music while training. It is a gift many swimmers will treasure- especially those who train on their own a lot as music can help get you through the endless number of laps.

I like this underwater MP3 player over many others that use waterproof swim buds as the FINIS Duo primarily relies on bone conduction technology to transfer sound waves, allowing for crystal clear sound in the water.

Additionally, it can store up to 1000 songs and clips securely and comfortably to your goggle strap.

Keep in mind that if the swimmer is a competitive swimmer, this may not be the best gift as fast-paced swimming may cause these to move around a bit. Also, since many competitive swimmers train in a team environment, it’s essential to be able to communicate with others around you while training as well.

That said, it’s not to say that all competitive swimmers won’t appreciate this as a gift- just keep that in mind when making your gift decision.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers, but best suited to recreational swimmers and those who train alone.
  • Gift price range: Mid-range to top-range.
  • Swim gift class: Electronics.
  • Swimming brands available: FINIS.
  • Gift use: Music listening while swimming.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

18. FINIS Tempo Trainer

Another excellent electronic device from FINIS is the tempo trainer- and this is a gift that more competitive swimmers will appreciate and put to good use in the pool.

This device is straightforward but incredibly useful- it sets the tempo through beeps helping you to keep whatever stroke rate you are currently working on in perfect sync.

The device has 3 different modes that you can use to set your stroke rate. It’s small and convenient to use and clips to your goggle strap while also being able to sit underneath your swimming cap.

Additionally, swimmers can also use this device for setting a certain pace on running or cycling if those are cross-training activities that are part of their training regime. 

Overall, this is a nice mid-range gift that many competitive swimmers will enjoy using to take their swimming to the next level.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: Competitive or open water swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Electronics.
  • Swimming brands available: FINIS.
  • Gift use: Setting stroke rate and pace in training. 
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

19. Pool-Side Flip-Flops

Another practical budget gift for swimmers is flip-flops (especially if they are swim branded). These are quick to slip on for walking around the pool deck and protect your feet from fungi when using the bathroom to change or shower after practice as fungi tend to spread around damp areas such as a poolside bathroom.

They are also nice for swim meets and post-training since you aren’t always in the mood to put on sneakers- much easier to slip on a pair of flip-flops and head out back home or wherever you may be going.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget.
  • Swim gift class: Clothing.
  • Swimming brands available: Most major swim brands as well as general clothing brands.
  • Gift use: Wearing poolside or post-workout.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

20. Swim Branded Water Bottle

Staying hydrated during training is essential for performing well and ensuring proper recovery afterward. Water bottles make for a nice and simple budget gift that swimmers will be able to put to good use. 

To make this gift more swim-specific, you can consider opting for a water bottle branded by a major swim brand such as TYR or Speedo.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Budget.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming accessories. 
  • Swimming brands available: Most major swim brands, including other general brands.
  • Gift use: Hydration and nutrition.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily.

21. Workout Mat

Dryland training is an integral part of many swimmers’ training regimes. As simple as it may seem, one of the best investments I’ve made into my dryland equipment was a workout mat for days where I need to do a simple training session at home or stretching.

A workout mat, also typically known as a yoga mat, will make an excellent gift for any serious swimmer, enhancing their dryland training experience. These mats provide a comfortable surface to perform exercises on and provides grip to avoid you from slipping when working out.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: All swimmers that do dryland/ yoga/ stretching.
  • Gift price range: Budget.
  • Swim gift class: Dryland gear.
  • Swimming brands available: General sports brands.
  • Gift use: Dryland training.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Daily to weekly.

22. Exercise and Medicine Balls

As mentioned earlier, dryland is a crucial element of many swimmers’ training. Exercise and medicine balls are great pieces of dryland equipment for performing a plethora of different exercises.

Exercise balls are large inflatable balls that allow swimmers to perform different stability and strengthening exercises, while medicine balls are heavier and great for developing strength and explosive power.

You can choose whether you want to gift the swimmer an exercise ball, a medicine ball, or maybe even both. Keep in mind, the swimmer may already have one of these, so if that’s the case, consider purchasing a different weight of medicine ball to allow for some variety in exercises.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: Swimmers that do dryland training.
  • Gift price range: Mid-range.
  • Swim gift class: Dryland gear.
  • Swimming brands available: General sports brands.
  • Gift use: Dryland training.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Weekly.

23. Monofin

A monofin is a cool piece of swimming equipment that not many swimmers own- but one that’s great for developing a powerful underwater dolphin kick. It’s essentially one large fin that can be worn, unlike 2 separate fins used by most swimmers for training. 

I’d recommend finding out if the swimmer has one of these beforehand- if not, then it could make for a great gift.

Keep in mind, this is something that would be more useful for competitive swimmers where a strong underwater dolphin kick plays a crucial role in swimming fast. The average swimmer probably won’t find too much use for a monofin.

Monofins come in at mid-range price points but can get quite expensive if you want to opt for a high-end model.

Swimming Gift Overview:

  • Swimmer class: Competitive swimmers.
  • Gift price range: Mid-range to top-range.
  • Swim gift class: Swimming equipment.
  • Swimming brands available: FINIS.
  • Gift use: Training to develop the dolphin kick.
  • Expected gift use frequency: Weekly.

Make Your Swimmer Happy with These Gifts for Swimmers

Picking a good gift for a swimmer may seem like a complicated process, but in reality, it’s not. There is an abundance of items that swimmers will find actual use for daily and weekly to help further their performance in the pool.

Just remember to pick the right brand when it comes to swimming gear, and you are sure to choose a great swimmer’s gift.

Photo of author
I am Benjamin, a competitive swimmer with over a decande of experience in the sport of swimming. I also hold certifications in Exercise Science and Nutrition. I am very passionate about competitive swimming and love sharing everything I have learned about the sport. I specialize in swimming butterfly and my favorite event is the 100m butterfly with the 50m and 200m fly closely following.

A Cheat Sheet for Creating the Perfect Swimming Workout and Routine

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