Long-Haired Guy New to the Pool - What's the Etiquette?

Etiquette varies by pool. Some require caps, some don’t. But for your hair’s sake, definitely wear one. My routine is conditioner, wet hair, cap on, swim, then wash with shampoo afterward.

I used to compete and lifeguard. In my experience, swim caps are rare at many pools, except for serious athletes. They only really help reduce drag.

Definitely rinse off beforehand and wear a cap!

Cap, no question. Please.

Pre-rinse, put on Aquaguard, and wear a swim cap. If your hair reaches mid-chest, a long hair cap will work best.

You can just put it up; there’s no strict etiquette, but I use a cap to avoid tangles.

You must wear a cap.

Wear a cap. Shower before swims, wet your hair, then put on the cap. This prevents chlorine absorption. Wash your hair afterward to avoid “swimmer’s hair.”

As a long-haired guy, I braid my hair and stuff it into a rubberized fabric cap, which works well.

At my pool, wearing a cap is required if your hair is a certain length. So yes, please wear one.

It’s a nightmare catching someone else’s hair while swimming! Please wear a cap. Happy swimming; you’ll love it!

Here’s some advice from a former competitive swimmer: use chlorine-removing shampoo, add leave-in conditioner before your cap, and rinse off before and after swimming. Chlorine can really damage your hair.

Definitely wear a cap; you’ll experience less drag.

Wear a cap. Always check if someone is behind you when arriving at the swim lanes. If someone is swimming faster, let them pass. Enjoy!

Use a silicone TYR long hair swim cap. Put your hair in a bun and wear the cap over it to protect against chlorine and make it easier to manage.

I’ve faced similar issues; tie a low bun, wear a cap, and cover it with a plastic band to keep your hair from going everywhere.

If you don’t wear a cap, your hair will become a frizzy, dried-out mess. Chlorine is brutal on hair.

You must wear a swim cap.

Wearing a cap is essential with long hair:

  1. It keeps you streamlined.
  2. Your hair might obstruct your breathing.
  3. Loose hair can potentially clog pool drains.
  4. It’s off-putting to see hair floating around in the pool.

Pre-rinse before swimming, use Aquaguard to protect your hair, tie it up, wear a silicone or fabric cap, and wash with swim shampoo and conditioner after. This prevents your hair from becoming brittle.