Wearing a swimming cap has many benefits, such as preventing your hair from being exposed to heavily chlorinated pool water, helping to keep hair from hitting your face when swimming, and helping reduce resistance when swimming. From the pool owner's point of view, wearing a swimming cap also helps prevent hair from clogging the pool filter. Swim caps are simple in design, but can be quite difficult to put on. With these few easy tips, you can put on a swim cap quickly and painlessly.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Wearing a Swimming Cap Alone
Step 1. Tie your hair back
If you have long hair, use a hair tie to form a ponytail or a bun (depending on the length of your hair). Make sure your hair is tied tightly to keep it strong.
Swim caps can cause hair to slide up and down. You should tie your hair higher than your desired position in the hat
Step 2. Wet hair with water from the shower or locker room
Dip your head in the water in the sink, or run your hair under the shower for a few seconds. Wetting your hair makes it easier for the hat material to run through your hair. Swim caps tend to stick to and pull on dry strands of hair.
Consider lightly coating your hair with conditioner. This method can make wearing a swimming cap easier
Step 3. Remove the swimming cap
Take off the swim cap with your hands, and consider getting the inside wet. Wetting the inside of a swim cap is not mandatory, but some people find this step makes it easier to put on. Hold the sides of the swim cap with both hands.
Wetting a swim cap can also make it more difficult to put on––depending on the type of cap used
Step 4. Pull the swimming cap on the head
Lower your head and position the front of the swim cap on your forehead, between your hairline and eyebrows. Let the swim cap grip your forehead, and use your hands to pull it back to cover the rest of your head.
Step 5. Adjust the swimming cap
Once the swim cap is in place, make the necessary adjustments. Tuck the hair that comes out into the hat, rearranging the front of the hat so that it covers the hairline, but does not extend beyond the eyebrows. Then, adjust the position of the hat around the ear. Pull back on the swim cap to make sure it fits as firmly as possible, then put on your goggles.
Positioning the swimming cap near the ear is generally a personal choice. Some people like to have their ears covered with a hat completely, especially when they are in a race. Others like to cover half of the ear, while others do not like to cover it at all
Method 2 of 3: Wearing a Swimming Hat with Friends
Step 1. Tie your hair back
If you have longer hair, use a hair tie to pull it back and secure it in a ponytail or bun. Swimming caps can shift the position of the hair, so be sure to tie it high and tight.
Step 2. Wet hair
Dip your head in the pool or flush with water in the shower before putting on the hat. Since the material of the hat tends to stick and pull on dry hair, wetting it can make the hat easier to put on (although this depends on the material of the hat).
Step 3. Put on a swimming cap
Ask a friend to help you put on a swimming cap. Take off your swim cap with both hands, then lower your head. Hold the front of the hat against the forehead area while your friend pulls it back and stretches the hat to cover the back of the head.
Step 4. Adjust the hat position as needed
Once the hat is over the head, make the necessary adjustments. Pull the hat further inwards, adjust its position against the forehead, and tuck in the rest of the loose hair.
Remember that you can position the hat around your ear in any way that feels most comfortable. You can cover the whole ear, leave it outside, or cover only part of the ear
Method 3 of 3: Dropping a Swimming Hat with Friends
Step 1. Tie your hair back
If you have longer hair, use a hair tie to form a ponytail or bun. Make sure your hair is tied tightly, as the hat can slide off when you put it on.
Step 2. Fill the hat with water
Have a friend turn the outside of the hat inward and fill it with water. You can scoop water from the pool or fill it from any type of water source.
Your friend should hold the hat by the side with water in it
Step 3. Drop the swimming cap
Take a sitting position on the floor and have a friend stand over you while holding the swim cap directly above your head. Your friend can hold the swim cap close to his face or even higher to add added height to the fall. Have him take it off all at once, so that the swim cap falls right in the middle of your head.
- The speed of descent will cause the hat to fall over the head (due to the weight of the water) and cover it.
- Be aware that this method doesn't always work on the first try, and the results are somewhat inconsistent. Cap position adjustment is more often required than not.
Step 4. Adjust the position of the swimming cap
Adjust the position of the swimming cap as needed. Reposition the hat, tuck in a loose strand of hair, and position the hat around your ears.
Tips
Sprinkle baby powder or other personal talcum powder into the hat and shake the rest out. If you don't have baby powder, water or baking soda will do the same
Warning
- Never press your fingernails directly on the cap material. This step may create a hole in the hat.
- Latex caps are not as sturdy as silicone caps. Try on different hats to find the one that suits you best.
- If there is a tear or hole in the hat, no matter how small, stop wearing it; the hat will tear the next time it is worn.
- Some swim caps contain latex, which can trigger an allergic reaction. Be sure to find out if you have an allergy to latex, if so, always check the hat you want to wear.
