Bugger, swimming...

[HarryP]

Hi guys

I've got to go swimming! Noooo! I've started a new job as a teaching assistant for special needs kids and I am required to go swimming with them once a week.  So, what can I wear? I'm pre-everything and absolutely skint... I have a rash vest but it doesn't bind tight enough for me, so would a shorty wetsuit or triathlon suit be better? And could I wear a packer with it without looking like I've got a hard-on in front of the kids? And will my binder die in the pool? and how do I explain that I can't go swimming once a month? 

Sorry for all the questions!

[Adio]

Just some ideas.  Take what you want of them.

If the rash guard isn't working for you, then the shorty wetsuit would probably be good.  Way less expensive than a triathlon suit.  Get a binder specifically for swimming so if it gets trashed, then you know you have another good one for everyday wear.  But yeah, it's likely the chlorine will eat up the binder.  Others might have suggestions on combating that.

As for the packer, it depends on the size.  The 3.5" mr. limpy should be okay.  Especially if you put it in a snug pouch, jock strap, or similar. 

And a lot of people with that time of the month swim with little to no issues.  Just use a tampon or one of those cup things (the cups are probably better for this purpose).  It shouldn't hinder your swimming experience.   

[Sharky]

Is it too late to tell them you don't know how to swim?

[GnomeKid]

I'm assuming you're known as male?

Once a month you may have to call out or suck it up and wear tampons [something I feel awful saying as I could never wear them] but its your job.  At this point you have a choice to make.  No one wears a wetsuit into a pool.  I'd probably make fun of you [well.. joke around with, but depending on the person they could take offense I suppose] if I were a co-worker and you stepped out in a wetsuit [short or otherwise] to get in a pool.  That is, unless you were practicing for scuba school.  I highly recommend you don't do that.  I'd find some baggy board shorts [often you don't even have to pack under them, but if you do its all baggy so it won't look funny]  and then a binder under a T-shirt [if you're more standing and observing within the pool] or a rash guard [if you're actually going to be swimming] 

I don't know much about pools messing with binders or not.  I'm going to assume that its not the best thing for them though.  I'd say cut your losses and wear it anyway.  Better to ruin a binder or two than have boobs in the pool.

[Banf]

Firstly, grats on the job!

Secondly, from your other thread, I understand the people that hired you/you report to know you're trans and that you have already warned them you'd need to wear a rash vest or something to swim?

Could you wear your binder under the rash vest? I don't know what you bind with, but something like the Underworks tri-top or double-front should work fine under that, and I don't think a swimming pool would ruin it.
And as GnomeKid says, you wouldn't really need to worry about packing under some baggy board shorts.

[RachelH]

Slightly different reason for wearing it, but when I taught kayaking at uni we all wore rash vests, well those who was teaching any way.  Mainly, as we always had to stand around and it can get cold. Just say that you get cold standing around!

[HarryP]

Thanks for all your replies everyone 

Think I will speak to my boss about it, as whilst I explained to her the situation on my interview, that was hypothetical and having to actually face it in reality is terrifying me! I'll ask if I can supervise from the poolside instead, as at least one of the other staff always goes into the pool with the kids anyway. If she does say I have to go, maybe I can just bring a pair of swim shorts, a rash vest and an old t-shirt to change into, over my binder, and that way I don't have to get any bit of me naked in the changing room...

[waynerob]

Here are a few ideas, this is what I did, luckily now I have had upper surgery so those days are behind me

I used the excuse that my skin was sensitive to the chlorine and I developed an allergy to it........maybe this way you could stand at the pool side while other staff entered the pool.
or
medical supply stores carry what works as a binder but it is actually a support for your back, it is white and I just pulled it up over my chest and wore a muscle shirt........it is the kind you slip into
or try the website  www.manbreast.com   they sell awesome compression tanktops cheap $16.99....you can wear them as a shirt or under a shirt and they come in black or white.....the site is for Gynocomastia in men(man boobs) check it out! You will want to wear it all the time once you try it.
or
Spanx.........I hear they work well
Good Luck
Let us know how it works out for you

[mistergutsy]

congrats on the job man!
Underworks has a swim binder you can wear, (hopefully no one said that already, haha)
anyway, I actually own this one and I love it! I've used it at the beach a few times and at a pool.
Your binder wont die in the pool but it could hurt you. I used my binder to swim and it gave me a CRAZY rash all along my sides from being wet and rubbing against me.
Plus when it was wet it was IMPOSSIBLE to get off. With the "compression swim suit" its a lot easier to get on and off because it has a zipper, so wet or not it makes life a lot better.
Also, you have to wear a shirt or something over it because the white binders are see-through when wet. I wear just the compression swim suit TOP ( no one looks twice because it just looks like a rash guard) and just some regular trunks (that have matching colors). Anyway, I pack in my swim trucks and you can't even tell. It doesn't make me look like I'm "happy" or anything. If your a little paranoid just wear some briefs under your trunks, that should help.

Anyway, hopefully this helped... good luck!