The brand new line of competitive swimming two-pieces launched by arena is geared towards our more edgy female athletes, as the collection’s name ‘RuleBreaker’ suggests. Its’ playful and colourful style speaks to the inner rebel in us all. Loud and proud, swimmers who wear these daring bikinis are without a doubt bold in appearance, but what are some of the ways that these ladies make a statement in attitude?
Rule Break No.1
One of the top ‘Rule Breaks’ that is practically universal to all of the more gusty swimmers is to skip out on warm down mileage at competitions. Despite careful instructions from our coaches about how to properly cool our bodies down after a race, we often find that it is much more enjoyable to amicably chat with friends at the wall, or else collect our thoughts by the blocks. We must be crafty about this deception, however, sometimes feigning loose goggles, or a cramped foot if our coach catches us hanging by the lane rope for too long.
Rule Break No.2
Next is the Golden Rule of every pool space which screams to be broken – the ‘no running on deck’ rule. While we understand that swimmers are not built for land, with our gangly limbs and poor coordination, and that running on a slippery surface is therefore highly inadvisable, we are also athletes who are built to savour speed. Besides, with all the signs advising against it, we surely must know what all the fuss is about, right?
Rule Break No.3
This next one is for the swimmers who are not only bold, but who also hate backstroke. That’s right – the ladies who pull on the lane rope. It is a habit that coaches hate, team mates envy, and Rule Breakers have perfected. The trick to the exemplary execution is to make it look so seamless that it could easily be mistaken by an onlooker for an actual stroke. It also requires constant vigilance, since trying to pull on the lane line directly in front of a coach, especially if you are in an outside lane of the pool, is a sure way to get caught.
Rule Break No. 4
Our next ‘Rule Break’ is perhaps slightly less common, since it is only required during dire circumstances. Sometimes, when there is a perfect storm whereby swim practice overlaps with ‘Moms and Tots’, or with synchronized swimming workouts, there is a sudden lack of available showers in the locker room. Sneaking into the men’s shower room, or perhaps the ‘Family room’ in facilities which have one, is a bold move, but is sometimes necessary in the morning rush to get ready for a busy day.
Rule Break No.5
This final one is a ‘Rule Break’ that is absolutely crucial for long swim meets. When preparing to be on the hot, crowded pool deck for hours at a time, a swimmer is only as good as the snacks packed in their lunch bag. Despite the numerous rules against eating on deck, every swimmer needs their sustenance. This is especially critical considering our abnormally large appetites, and the stress eating we will no doubt be doing while waiting to hear whether we have made second swims for our events.
To our Rule Breakers in pools everywhere, we salute you.