Why do swimmers wear caps and goggles?
Pool Pro Secrets
Why do swimmers wear caps and goggles?
You slide into the pool and — wow, that's cold! You paddle around, but your hair keeps swishing into your face, and when you open your eyes underwater, everything's a blurry sting. Meanwhile, the swimmers in the next lane glide by like smooth torpedoes, caps snug and goggles gleaming. What's their secret?
Let's start with the cap. When you swim, you're pushing yourself through water — and water pushes back. It's called drag. Every bit of you that sticks out or flaps around catches water and slows you down. Long hair streaming behind you? That's like swimming with a parachute tied to your head.
