GEAR
ALL THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR A BETTER SWIM
WHAT'SNEW… FOR 2012
With the new year comes new products, for every conceivable aspect of a swimmer’s life… Here's a selection of the best.
As a swimmer, you never know what you need until someone else has got it, which is why this issue’s Gear is a showcase for new and upgraded products for the swimming year ahead. If your credit card can take any more punishment aſt er Christmas, then we have wetsuits that aid stroke power by allegedly ‘gripping the water’, a swimming aid that’ll do wonders for your dolphin and shark impressions, ear drops to ward off the dreaded ‘swimmer’s ear’ and a neoprene shampoo that ‘takes the michael’ out of soiled wetsuits.
AQUA SPHERE K180 GOGGLES From £19.99 For stockist information visit
aquasphereswim.com/uk The K180 is the fi rst ‘hydrodynamic’ goggle, combining wraparound vision with comfort, says Aqua Sphere. It has been devised to not only off er a wider fi eld of vision than current racing or competitive goggles but to deliver superior performance because it sits very close to the eye. Available with clear or tinted lenses, the K180 is packaged with a protective carry case plus three soſt interchangeable nose bridges. The K180+ has a ‘micro gasket’ for maximum performance and is recommended for competition use.
RIP CURL PISS OFF WETSUIT SHAMPOO & DISINFECTANT £6.95 from
wetsuitoutlet.co.uk This rather unappealingly named neoprene conditioner is formulated not only to clean wetsuits, but to cleanse them if the wearer has answered a ‘call of nature’, or was perhaps looking to off set the icy chill of the open water. Wetsuits, gloves, hoods, boots and rash vests can all benefi t from a good wash with this solution, say Rip Curl, who add that the product keeps neoprene-based equipment ‘fresh, stretchy and in good condition’.
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AQUA SPHERE W-PHANTOM WETSUIT
£499.99
For stockist information visit
aquasphereswim.com/uk The Phantom swimmer’s wetsuit launched last year by Aqua Sphere has been joined by a women's- specifi c version called the W-Phantom. The suit uses panel confi gurations to maintain a streamlined position in the water, encouraging speed.
POWERBREATHE K-SERIES
From £250 from
powerbreathe.com
The K-series is the latest iteration of POWERbreathe’s inspiratory muscle trainer, with the top
of the range K5 just released for 2012. The original POWERbreathe Classic, which has been around for 15 years, introduced the concept of strengthening the muscles used for breathing using a mechanical valve and spring to create resistance while taking a breath. The K-Series brings the concept up to date, using electronics to measure pressure and flow, and to control resistance. Users of the K4 and K5 models can also track training and progress using POWERbreathe’s Breathlink live-feedback software. We’ll be testing the K5 over the next few weeks and will report
back next issue.
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