Thinking about gift ideas for the swimmers in your life this year? You might feel like they’ve already got it all or that you’re not sure where to start. But there’s always something they still need (or want).

Whether you’re in search of a gift for a casual, competitive, or professional swimmer, there are lots of helpful gadgets and gear options that they need and would surely appreciate.

In this article, we'll share the best gifts for swimmers to help you get inspired and pick the perfect present this holiday season.

Index | Best Presents for Swimmers

• 4 Swimming Gift Ideas for Kids

• 7 Gifts for Beginner Swimmers

• 3 Gifts for Outdoor Swimmers

• 7 Gifts for Competitive Swimmers

• 8 Gift Ideas for Triathletes

• 3 Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas for Swimmers

If you’re looking for triathlon gift ideas look no further than our tri-focused gift ideas list here, 42 Top Triathlon Gift For Triathletes in 2024.  

 

4 Swimming Gift Ideas for Kids

Are you buying a gift for a child who's showing a keen interest in swimming? Here are some great gift ideas for the young swimmers on your list.

1. Pool or Aquatic Center Pass

This is a perfect gift to encourage their love of this great sport is a pass to their pool or local aquatic center. Consider buying them a family pass, so they can enjoy the fun of swimming with their whole family.

Contact your local swimming pool for details about punch cards, weekly or monthly swim passes, or gift certificates so they can get the pass they need.

2. Quick-Dry Swimsuit

If you know a kid who likes swimming, they'll fall in love with a new swimsuit. Find one with UV protection if your young one is an outdoor pool or open-water swimmer. We suggest getting one in a bright color to increase their visibility in the water.

There are many styles and sizes of swimwear for children, so check with their parents first to make sure you get the right one. Once you know their size and style, we recommend checking out Reima swimwear—their suits dry fast, have UV protection, and come in kid-friendly designs. Their kid's swimsuits are also affordable, starting at just $30-40.

3. An Awesome Towel

What kid doesn't like to throw their pool towel over their shoulders and pretend to be a superhero? Gift a kid in your life the most fabulous beach or pool towel you can find! Bonus points if it's quick-drying, has their favorite character or color, or is extra warm.

Some of our favorite kid towels include:

• The Tie-Dye Fun Beach Towel ($26 US): It doesn't get much brighter than this one! Plus, you can customize it with your kid's name, so it never gets misplaced.
• PJ Masks Hooded Towel ($15 US): These character towels from Walmart are an affordable children's gift. If PJ Masks isn't their thing, you can likely find another character towel that suits their interests.

4. Pool Noodles

Shopping for a young swimmer who’s trying to get comfortable in the water? Pool noodles are the perfect balance of learning and fun since they can be used for buoyancy while they improve their swim while also doubling as a toy.

Best of all, they can be purchased pretty inexpensively.

7 Gifts for Beginner Swimmers

If you're looking to buy the perfect gifts for swimmers with less experience in the water, here are some perfect gift ideas:

1. Books About Swimming

Books can be a great source of inspiration and learning for swimmers. If your gift recipient is also an avid reader, here are some excellent books about the sport of swimming they may enjoy by master swimmers:

• Beneath the Surface: My Story by Michael Phelps
• The Complete Beginners Guide To Swimming by Mark Young 
  
  

2. Fast-Drying Towels

After a long practice, your body is likely tired, and the last thing you want is to lug heavy, wet clothes and gear home. If you have a swimmer on your list, give them a soft microfiber swimming towel. These are great for any swimmer because they're lightweight, absorb up to 3 times their weight in water, and fit into a compact bag for easy transportation.

There are many microfiber swim towels to choose from, but the Rainleaf Microfiber towel has over 14,000 reviews on Amazon and is rated 4.5/5 stars. It comes in many colors and sizes and weighs less than a pound for easy transportation to the pool. You can buy one of these towels for $15.

3. Swim Gear Bag

Buy a swim bag with mesh sides, so the wet clothes and equipment don't sit in pools of water where bacteria can grow. The mesh improves airflow and helps your gear dry faster too.

Look for one that has a small side pocket for the swimmer to store things like goggles and shampoo in a dedicated compartment. A water bottle pocket can also be helpful so that they can stay hydrated before and after their swim.

The TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack is a great choice. It's a #1 best seller on Amazon and starts at about $28. They come in a variety of great, bright colors too!

4. Flip Flops

When you’re spending a lot of time in (and around) the pool, having the right footwear is a must. That’s why a well-made and stylish pair of flip-flops are a must for every swimmer.

Designed for comfort and recovery, we love these Ora Recovery Slide 3 flip-flops from Hoka. They cost around a hundred bucks, but they’ll last your swimmer for a long time.

5. Posture Trainer Head Alignment Swim Tool

As a beginner swimmer, one of the most challenging things to get right is your head position in the water. But as any seasoned swimmer will tell you, it’s one of the most important components of your form and can help boost your speed and efficiency in the water.

This Posture Trainer Head Alignment Swim Training Tool will help your favorite swimmer to do just that by improving body alignment and improving posture.

And it’s a cost-friendly gift, coming in at just under $20.

6. Anti-Fog for Goggles

One of the most frustrating things for swimmers at any level is having your goggles fog up on you while you’re in the water. When it happens, you’re forced to stop, interrupt your workout, take off your goggles, and fix it.

But you can help them get ahead of the ball by giving them a gift they can use preemptively, like Quick Spit Anti-fog from Jaws, which they’ll apply to their goggles before they jump in the pool so they won’t have to worry about it at all.

Pro tip: If you’re giving the gift of FORM goggles, you won't need antifog because we've already used the highest-quality industry-leading anti-fog as a standard feature.

7. Swimming Water Bottle

This might seem basic, but it’s such an important thing for a swimmer to have: a high-quality water bottle they can keep at the edge of the pool to ensure they stay hydrated for the duration of their swim.

We love this TYR water bottle that you can get for under seven dollars--and your swimmer will too.

3 Gifts for Outdoor Swimmers

1. Swimmer’s Shampoo and Conditioner

A swimmer's hair is frequently at risk of drying and damage from chlorine and salt in the water. There are many specially made shampoos, conditioners, and hair products designed specifically for swimmers.

Consider getting them some swimmer's hair products based on their hair type. These make great stocking stuffers too!

2. Dry Bag

Outdoor swimmers contend with a unique challenge that indoor swimmers don’t face: the elements.

Rain or shine, they’re out in the water putting their mileage in. But while they’re at it, their gear--like their phones, car keys, and warm, dry clothes--all have to sit at the water's edge waiting for them.

They face the elements and sometimes have to train on rainy days. So, to keep their stuff dry, this Orca Unisex Transition Bag will do the trick perfectly.

3. Wetsuit

In many parts of the world, outdoor swimming brings with it cold temperatures that can be challenging to withstand.

That’s why a wetsuit is such a perfect gift for outdoor swimmers.

Whether they don’t have one yet or they need an upgrade, there are a ton of great options available at a range of price points.

We recommend checking out 2XU, Roka, and Arena: In addition to manufacturing high-quality swimwear, this company has transparent and comprehensive social responsibility mandates. as a starting point.

7 Gifts for Competitive Swimmers

Whether they've been swimming competitively for years or just getting started, get them the gear they need to pursue their swimming goals. Whether they've been swimming competitively for years or just getting started, get them the equipment they need to pursue their swimming goals.

1. A New Swimsuit

Professional swimmers usually need to replace their suits at least once every year or swim season. They also like to have several to cycle through, so they always have a clean, dry suit to use during frequent training.

A swimsuit or gift card to a swimwear company makes great gifts for swimmers. Here are some top recommended brands for swimsuits for swimmers:

• TYR: This brand name comes from the name of the Norse God of Warriors, so you know it's going to be a strong suit.
• Speedo: This has been a well-known brand for years. You'll see many famous, competitive swimmers wearing Speedo-brand suits.
• Arena: In addition to manufacturing high-quality swimwear, this company has transparent and comprehensive social responsibility mandates.

2. Smart Swim Goggles

Knowing your swim stats in real-time helps swimmers perfect their form and performance. Augmented reality goggles can provide real-time statistics (like heart rate, distance, and time) directly on the lens, so swimmers can see their performance in the moment and adjust. These are also helpful in open water or outdoor pool swimming.

FORM Smart Swim 2 goggles are built to last and make an incredible gift for swimmers who want to track and improve their swimming skills, and take their swimming to new levels.

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3. A Parka

Open-water swimmers often get cold after finishing their swim so you might want to think about giving them a warm jacket or parka. They can also use it in between pool swims in indoor pools.

If you have swim coaches on your list, they would love these to avoid getting cold on the pool deck during outdoor practices.

Here are two parkas we hear people raving about all the time:

• Speedo - Edge Parka ($165): We love the cozy fleece lining on this one.
• Arena - Team Parka ($200): This is a unisex fit that will help you stay warm and dry on deck or between sets.

4. StretchCordz with Paddles

Warming up before your swim is as important as the swim itself, and that’s why StretchCordz with paddles are such a classic gift idea for swimmers.

They can be used to get your muscles prepared for a swim, but they can also help with form by simulating the pulling motion of a swim stroke, strengthening their “pull” muscles, and allowing them to make mechanical adjustments out of the water.

Another old-school piece of swimming gear is StretchCordz, which is simply a heavy-duty rubber tube with handles or paddles at the ends.

StrechCordz are even used by the USA National Swim team.

5. Oura Ring

For competitive swimmers, proper recovery is as important as understanding their stats and metrics in the water.

The Oura Ring, which retails for $299 and up, monitors your sleep, activity levels, temperature trends, stress, heart rate, and more so that you can get a clear idea of how well you’re recovering after your hard swim sessions.

6. Theragun

Speaking of recovery, your muscles need some attention after swim training too. In fact, swimming utilizes almost every muscle in your body.

If you want to spoil the swimmer on your list with a great recovery-focused gift idea, check out the massagers and tools from Theragun, which include percussive devices, vibrating foam rollers, and smart muscle stimulators.

7. Why We Swim

When you put a lot of time, effort, and energy into your swimming, sometimes it’s refreshing to get a reminder of why you fell in love with it in the first place.

The book Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui is filled with stories of success, failures, and unique experiences from athletes around the world and is incredibly inspiring.

8 Gift Ideas for Triathletes

Participating in a triathlon is hard work, even for the fittest people you know. Help them focus on their training and not on their gear, with these best gifts for triathletes:

1. An Open Water Buoy

If the swimmer in your life practices in open water, help them stay visible and safe with an inflatable swim buoy. These small, inflatable flotation devices are brightly colored, making the swimmer more visible in open water, even from greater distances.

We like the Swim Buddy because it can also be used as a storage device for your valuables while you're swimming. The Swim Buddy is $41-$62, depending on the model.

2. Headphones

Many triathletes like to listen to music or training programs while in the water, but traditional headphones are most definitely not waterproof! A triathlete or swimmer might love a set of waterproof headphones as a gift.

We love the Aftershokz Open Swim MP3 Swimming Headphones. They're priced at $199 and fit under their swim cap too.

3. Ear Dryer

Is your favorite swimmer also a techie? Then they'll love ear dryers that use warm, soothing air to dry your ears after a swim. Dry ears are essential to avoid bacteria and fungi growth in your ear canal following regular swims.

The Mack's Ear Dryer folds for compact storage in your swim bag. It's available for $59 from their Amazon online store.

4. Swim Watch

A swim watch is another convenient fitness tracker. Many are water-resistant to 50 meters or more, making them a great tech gadget for triathletes or competitive swimmers swimming at or near the surface.

Garmin has many models of swim watches in different styles and price points. Watches in the Fenix 6 and part of the Fenix 5 line, and the Forerunner 945 & 745 sync with the FORM Smart Swim Goggles, allowing triathletes to see all their info for their open water swim in real-time.

5. Medal Display

Triathletes work hard, both in training and during their races. And at each finish line, they’re rewarded with a medal.

One thing’s for sure: the triathlete in your life probably loves to display their achievements, so a triathlon-themed medal hanger is a perfect way to let them show off their accomplishments.

6. Buoyancy Shorts

Buoyancy shorts are great for developing your swimming technique ahead of a triathlon, particularly for beginners who are also looking to perfect their running and cycling techniques too. These shorts imitate the effect of wearing a wetsuit, adding buoyancy to the hips and allowing a higher position in the water.

We’d recommend checking out 2XU Propel Buoyancy Shorts as a gift idea for triathletes which you can pick up for under a hundred dollars.

7. Body Glide

Triathletes put their bodies through a lot, and that includes friction. From chafing while running and cycling to friction from repeated swim strokes, it can start to add up and create some discomfort. Body Glide products are inexpensive and help prevent rubbing that causes irritation, rash, chafing, blisters, and raw skin and can be a lifesaver for the triathlete on your holiday shopping list.

8. Smart Swim Goggles

Just like competitive swimmers, triathletes can also benefit from getting our latest FORM Smart Swim 2 goggles as a gift.

They’re optimal for following drills during training sessions, but they’re also incredibly helpful during races because they allow athletes to see exactly how fast they’re going in real time so that they can pace themselves appropriately.

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3 Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas for Swimmers

1. Swim Cap

One of the best ways for swimmers to protect their hair from the damaging effects of chlorine in the pool, or salt in ocean water, is to tuck their hair into a swim cap. It also makes them more aerodynamic in the water. Most swim stores will have cool caps for kids, and great options for every swimmer.

2. Precision Hydration

Even though you’re doing it in water, swimming is still a high-intensity activity. So, it’s important to fuel accordingly.

That’s why Precision Fuel and Hydration’s assortment of resources and products makes a perfect gift to help swimmers stay hydrated during their workouts.

3. Fin Socks

For swimmers, training with fins can put a beating on your feet. By giving specially designed fin socks as a gift, like these nylon spandex ones from Sporti, you can help your swimmer avoid sore feet and blisters with a simple but highly effective stocking stuffer.

The Most Unique Gift for Swimmers

Whether you need the ideal gift for the holiday season, a birthday, an anniversary, or just because, the swimmer on your list would love any of these thoughtful gifts.

The best gifts for swimmers are ones that fit in their gear bag, like our FORM Smart Swim Goggles. You can easily sync guided workouts directly to the goggles, track you real time heart rate from your temple, follow HeadCoach™ workouts, and much more! It's a gift any swimmer would love and enjoy to help them stay motivated and progress in their swimming, whether training or racing.