How to Choose a Women’s Water Polo Suit
Selecting a women's water polo suit, or an athletic bathing suit is a very different process from regular bathing suit shopping.
Most basic swimsuits are appropriate for non-strenuous water activity, sunbathing, and visual appeal. Active swimwear, however, is meant to hold up against rigorous water sports, long hours of play, aggressive team activities, and continuous movement. This means they will differ from basic bathing suits in several important ways.
When it comes to water polo, having the right swimsuit is especially important due to the amount of underwater play that takes place.
Offensive and defensive movements often happen below the surface of the water and generally aren’t watched by referees. This makes it even more imperative that the water polo suit worn, especially for women, minimalizes an opponent’s ability to grab, tear, or hold onto it.
Choosing the right type of bathing suit for water polo, or any other water sport can be made much easier by remembering the essential Five F’s below.
In this article we’ll cover:
Fabric
Fit
Fashion
Functionality
Funds
Fabric
Water polo suits for women are made of an extra durable and rather non-elastic material that prevents ripping, tearing, grabbing, or the bunching of excess of fabric. Water polo swimsuit fabrics are specially designed to mold tightly to the player’s skin so that opponents have nothing extra to grab onto during play. This means that the suit will be—and will remain—very fitted throughout its use. Fabrics for women’s water polo suits, frequently come in solid colors.
Fit
Women’s water polo suits are not meant to be comfortable. In fact, if the suit fits properly, it should be almost uncomfortably tight. This is to ensure there are no baggy or saggy places that would allow an opponent to grab a player beneath the water. The snug material together with the proper fit prevents ripped suits and keeps opponents from using the suit to restrain the player. With underwater play often becoming fierce, the fit of a player’s suit must be correct. This size guide helps understand how a water polo suit should fit.
Fashion
Women’s athletic swimwear is not meant to be fashionable. Rather, their cut is meant to protect against, withstand, and endure the rigors of water sports. This is especially true with the water polo suit. Women’s suits are generally designed with a higher neckline and with a back made of a solid piece of fabric. This very practical style serves to keep opponents from gaining an advantage over a player by using her suit as a weakness. Though it may not be as fashion-forward as other swimsuits, it does give the suit a competitive edge. The Anique Water Polo Suit is a perfect example of the correct style.
Functionality
The right water polo suit will be an equal blend of the three points above. The fabric, fit, and fashion (style) of the suit should all work together to provide a seamlessly functional suit appropriate for competition at both the amateur and professional levels. Since functionality is key above all else, a women’s water polo suit should be selected for this purpose rather than for a more modern look or comfortable fit or fabric. Cutting corners on any of these factors can give an opponent the advantage.
Funds
Water polo suits for women can vary in price depending on whether it’s made for practice only or competition.
For professional, competition-level suits, the price can range from $70-$80. Practice suits can begin in the $30 range.
While women’s water polo suits are generally more expensive than men’s, the amount of fabric used in women’s suits is also higher. Therefore, the price tends to be commensurate with the amount of material required.
Though shopping for a women’s water polo suit or an athletic swimsuit can seem daunting at first, the Five F’s listed above can serve as a guide to remembering the most important factors. By following the essential points they include, the perfect suit is within reach!