Susan's Place Transgender Resources

How many people out there have issues going swimming before surgery? How many dont go because being nervous? How many would like to go but dont? How many just dont care? I have always been curious. I have swam for years as a woman, including on a masters swim team and not once had an issue. It is a lot easier now that Walmart has clear duct tape.

Does anyone have any questions or comments or any recommendations for other people. I haven't seen a thread on here devoted to swimming in a swim suit and how to tuck so everything holds.

I remember when I first started I was scared to death but my love for swimming was greater than my fear. I wore racing suits that went to the knees, i was more comfortable but I knew that if something happened, i would be ok, later i graduated to normal one piece suits and 2 piece suits. After a lot of failed tape jobs using the racing suit, i finally figured out how to tape it so I could swim in the water, swim all four strokes, do flip turns and streamlines and still have it hold. If anyone has any questions, I would be more than happy to help and answer questions.

I'm very interested in any responses that are given.  This has been on my mind.
Summer is here!

Haven´t swim, haven´t been in sauna, in shower, in beach or anywhere, where I would need to be either naked with other people, or wear swimsuit, that I feel is just a tad too close, of revealing everything. This for about year and a half. My friend was kind enough to give keys to her apartment, that I went to sauna this weekend, for the first time in a year and a half.

I just wouldn´t feel comfortable.

I know some pre-op girls go to sauna with other girls and it is ok for everyone. But I don´t want to. Feels just way too strange for me...and probably would increase the dysphoria too.

Quote from: Mendi on June 23, 2018, 08:01:29 PM
Haven´t swim, haven´t been in sauna, in shower, in beach or anywhere, where I would need to be either naked with other people, or wear swimsuit, that I feel is just a tad too close, of revealing everything. This for about year and a half. My friend was kind enough to give keys to her apartment, that I went to sauna this weekend, for the first time in a year and a half.

I just wouldn´t feel comfortable.

I know some pre-op girls go to sauna with other girls and it is ok for everyone. But I don´t want to. Feels just way too strange for me...and probably would increase the dysphoria too.

For me, im still not comfortable getting ready in a ladies locker room for swimming.I always get everything ready at home go to the pool, get undressed on the pool deck, get in the pool, swim, get out, put my shorts or leggings on as well as my top, and go home and shower at home. I used to get double takes years ago but i can go through the ladies locker room unmolested by unwanted stares or glances. I went swimming today and it was clear to me that I have achieved stealth mode while swimming.

When I first started HRT, I wore boy shorts and a surfer's rash shirt. Not very fashionable, but it worked for a few years. Today I wear a speedo tank suit or nothing at all when permitted.

My hair is all wet and a mess, but here I am with my tasty friend.

(https://i.imgur.com/dRtT9p0.jpg?1)

Quote from: Dani on June 23, 2018, 08:10:09 PM
When I first started HRT, I wore boy shorts and a surfer's rash shirt. Not very fashionable, but it worked for a few years. Today I wear a speedo tank suit or nothing at all when permitted.

My hair is all wet and a mess, but here I am with my tasty friend.

(https://i.imgur.com/dRtT9p0.jpg?1)

you look great however, im scared, lower that lobster!!!!

I used to work for a pool company and transitioned on the job as an instructor. I had to teach classes and often lifeguard. I would often wear a lifeguard top and bottom but always with shorts over it.

I wear long sleeves and jeans to the beach...  swimming hasn't been on my list since forever.  I had always been quite skinny and couldn't float to save my life.  It was just too much work trying not to sink.  Not to mention that I never liked locker rooms growing up, or going shirtless, or wearing shorts... so yea... never had a love of swimming.

Quote from: Harley Quinn on June 23, 2018, 08:46:31 PM
I wear long sleeves and jeans to the beach...  swimming hasn't been on my list since forever.  I had always been quite skinny and couldn't float to save my life.  It was just too much work trying not to sink.  Not to mention that I never liked locker rooms growing up, or going shirtless, or wearing shorts... so yea... never had a love of swimming.

It is difficult for me to fathom not wanting to swim, or to always be covered up. We are all different. Thank you for your input.

Quote from: Cassie 4 Ever!!! on June 23, 2018, 10:50:11 PM
It is difficult for me to fathom not wanting to swim, or to always be covered up. We are all different. Thank you for your input.

Very punny😊

The few times I did swim pre-op was with medical tape and swim suit. I stayed in the water all the time.
Of course the tape let go a few times but I had a large towel with me. :)

Post-op I have only been swimming once so far in bikini, slightly scary, but after 2 minutes it was cool.

Sometimes I am tempted to go to the gym, and it would be fun to go swimming again.  But there is no way I would brave a women's locker room pre-op.  And while dressing at home can be an option, I don't want to have to tuck as well as a swimsuit would require.  The temptation, fortunately, is not that strong and easily resisted.

I present male but have a chest, i simply dont go swimming and havent for 10 or so years. Cant go in just trunks and trunks and a top would just get attention. Ust to love to go swimming in teens and early 20s, its sad that its never been an option for a while. Asume that most of the replies here will be from fem presenting so thought id share my experiance

One of the very first times I went out in public dressed in female attire was to the lake. I wore a yellow bikini with an orange floral print. I was fourteen.
These days, I wear two pairs of very tight panties under my swim bottoms, and have not had a mishap yet.

Hi Cassie,

So ironic I discovered this thread! I have been contemplating going swimming again for a long time. I am planning on going to the pool at my apartment complex today for the first time in almost three years. I am ten months post-op and four months post-BA and hair transplant.  I never considered it pre-op.  No way. That would just not be fun. I would be too self-conscious.

I bought a nice one-piece and will have a handsome 27 year-old girl toy with me. I think I am ready!

With kindness,

Terri

Quote from: epvanbeveren on June 24, 2018, 01:26:46 AM
The few times I did swim pre-op was with medical tape and swim suit. I stayed in the water all the time.
Of course the tape let go a few times but I had a large towel with me. :)

Post-op I have only been swimming once so far in bikini, slightly scary, but after 2 minutes it was cool.

I have never tried medial tape. When I first started i tried kt tape but it was too strechy, then i went with duct tapeand it has worked like a charm. Duct tape really can fix anything. :) I know whenI am post op, iwill be swimming just as much and will not be afraid to get ready in the womens locker room. I always avoid getting ready in the lockerroom because of the tape and the possibility someone glances in the crack in the stall door.

Quote from: KathyLauren on June 24, 2018, 06:58:47 AM
Sometimes I am tempted to go to the gym, and it would be fun to go swimming again.  But there is no way I would brave a women's locker room pre-op.  And while dressing at home can be an option, I don't want to have to tuck as well as a swimsuit would require.  The temptation, fortunately, is not that strong and easily resisted.

I have gone to teh gym. I never tape for it but were a pair of panties or a swim suit botom that is very tight to hold everything and ten put shorts on over, or leggings and I never have an issue. Im still not going to get ready in a ladies locker room for the sole reason that I have to tape up and I would hate if people ask what the tape is for. When ever I go to the pool, i always see if there is a family room, if so, i will always get ready in there. If not, i will get ready to swim at home before i get to the pool. Post op if i ever get so lucky, I will just get ready in the ladies locker room. When I was on a swim team, I actually had permission from my team, and teh pool facility to use the ladies locker room to get ready and shower. My fellow swimmers didnt think anything of it, but out of respect, i would just get ready in the family room. I was swimming laps today at the pool for 3 hours and didnt have any issues, I got out of the pool several times as they did lifeguard drills and i didn't get any stares. Also helps I am a very fast swimmer so it explains my build. I go to the pool 100% confident with the tape will hold. At first it was frighting, i wore shorts into the pool and then would take them off. What i learned is I was fine, i have mastered the taping skills, and wearing shorts into the pool, taking them off to swim, and putting shorts back on in the pool before leaving just brought more attention too me.

Quote from: Shambles on June 24, 2018, 10:31:55 AM
I present male but have a chest, i simply dont go swimming and havent for 10 or so years. Cant go in just trunks and trunks and a top would just get attention. Ust to love to go swimming in teens and early 20s, its sad that its never been an option for a while. Asume that most of the replies here will be from fem presenting so thought id share my experiance

Back in the earlier days of transition, i would wear like full body suits, or female racing suits, always an option. I never had an issue.

Quote from: Susan H on June 24, 2018, 11:54:01 AM
One of the very first times I went out in public dressed in female attire was to the lake. I wore a yellow bikini with an orange floral print. I was fourteen.
These days, I wear two pairs of very tight panties under my swim bottoms, and have not had a mishap yet.

I have done that too, but ended up not working for me as during breast stroke, sometimes it would hold right. For casual swimming, would work 100%. As the suits that I wear are extremely tight, wearing panties under neitght would be very obvious.

Quote from: Maybebaby56 on June 24, 2018, 12:17:16 PM
Hi Cassie,

So ironic I discovered this thread! I have been contemplating going swimming again for a long time. I am planning on going to the pool at my apartment complex today for the first time in almost three years. I am ten months post-op and four months post-BA and hair transplant.  I never considered it pre-op.  No way. That would just not be fun. I would be too self-conscious.

I bought a nice one-piece and will have a handsome 27 year-old girl toy with me. I think I am ready!

With kindness,

Terri

Please let me know how it goes. As for self conscious, what i learned is after i passed a certain threshold where i can pass with no makeup on, even if i have masculine features, and people give me a look, the just go oh, she is a swimmer and they move along. I believe that after transitions for some time, it all about how you carry yourself. If you get nervous every time someone looks at you, then you are inviting people to figure out why. Also, im sure after srs, grs or what ever the term is these days, that its gonna be a piece of cake and having a BA, no way people will clock you. Enjoy your swim!

Haven't gone swimming yet, that is scheduled for next month, but I have a cute one piece Speedo swim suit that I can't wait to wear.  I have a black swimming skort that I'm going to pair with it.  I have gone to the gym a few times but I have always gone dressed and ready to go.  It's a very small gym. I also go bike riding on trails near me and go full female attire.  I haven't had any issues yet and I keep my situational awareness going 100% of the time.

Quote from: Cassie 4 Ever!!! on June 24, 2018, 09:22:33 PM
I have gone to teh gym. I never tape for it but were a pair of panties or a swim suit botom that is very tight to hold everything and ten put shorts on over, or leggings and I never have an issue. Im still not going to get ready in a ladies locker room for the sole reason that I have to tape up and I would hate if people ask what the tape is for. When ever I go to the pool, i always see if there is a family room, if so, i will always get ready in there. If not, i will get ready to swim at home before i get to the pool. Post op if i ever get so lucky, I will just get ready in the ladies locker room. When I was on a swim team, I actually had permission from my team, and teh pool facility to use the ladies locker room to get ready and shower. My fellow swimmers didnt think anything of it, but out of respect, i would just get ready in the family room. I was swimming laps today at the pool for 3 hours and didnt have any issues, I got out of the pool several times as they did lifeguard drills and i didn't get any stares. Also helps I am a very fast swimmer so it explains my build. I go to the pool 100% confident with the tape will hold. At first it was frighting, i wore shorts into the pool and then would take them off. What i learned is I was fine, i have mastered the taping skills, and wearing shorts into the pool, taking them off to swim, and putting shorts back on in the pool before leaving just brought more attention too me.

Do you ever get a rash from the tape?

Quote from: MissyMay2.0 on June 25, 2018, 10:23:12 AM
Do you ever get a rash from the tape?

I have not had a rash from the tape. Keep in mind the gym is a very seldom occurrence for me and I haven't tried running more than 1 mile taped up. If you dont tape right it can be uncomfortable. When not swimming, I have learned how to tape so i can use the bathroom too, but taping this way doen't work well in the pool.  I don't like to tape for like a gym because going to the bathroom in next to impossible.

Hi Cassie,

I would suggest using a very tight underwear or a gaff under your swimsuit. It worked for me. However, I am quite small down there and it looked seamless to me and my bf.

Btw, I only wear a one piece suit. You can also try using those bathing suits with like a skirt, I have used it in the past and they look quite cute :)

I too love to swim and was quite terrified at first. I started swimming as me last year and haven't looked back. I don't need to tape as HRT has made things quite small but I also don't change in the women's locker room. I either use a family room or wear my suit under shorts or yoga pants. Once the swim cap and goggles are on we all look like martians any way. The only difference is some of us are in cute, sporty suits :-) 

For the beach I sometimes wear a suit with a skirt but most days it is a once piece.

Sarah

I don't swim anywhere close to as often as I used to, but I was a beach rat growing up. But yes, I would definitely have gone swimming more often these past several years  if I wasn't dealing with body image issues and being trans.


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