I thought it'd be nice if we compiled a list of the different ways we all deal with swimming in the summertime, since I've heard so many different ways.

I personally used to use a female racing swimsuit underneath trunks and a rash guard because it flattened well, but due to dysphoria I have switched to wearing trunks with a stretched out or loose binder under the rash guard. I do not pack with my swimwear, but that is mostly due to the fact that my swimming has been around family and I feel like it would be awkward if they were to notice.

I didn't swim for like 6 years. Now I do but it hasn't been as much as it use to be before I stopped. I was a certified lifeguard. I really should go get recertified just cause.

Quote from: CursedFireDean on July 06, 2014, 10:26:32 AM
I thought it'd be nice if we compiled a list of the different ways we all deal with swimming in the summertime, since I've heard so many different ways.

I personally used to use a female racing swimsuit underneath trunks and a rash guard because it flattened well, but due to dysphoria I have switched to wearing trunks with a stretched out or loose binder under the rash guard. I do not pack with my swimwear, but that is mostly due to the fact that my swimming has been around family and I feel like it would be awkward if they were to notice.

There was a really good thread posted a couple of months ago.  I searched "swimming", but couldn't find it.  I am not sure what the title was, but there were some good tips there, especially from someone who posted pics and everything about how he packs.

Before top surgery, I wore a life guard like top that looked like a sports bra.  Over that I wore a loose sleeveless rash guard.  This year having had surgery, I just wear the loose rash guard.  The rash guard comes up right under my armpits, so you never could see the swim top (nor can you see the surgery scars).  The loose sleeveless ones are hard to find.  I only have a couple from O'Neill.

Mostly I just lay on the beach, not in the water.  Have always worn board shots on the bottom.  I don't pack when swimming.

I already have a pool but never even went in it so...I never even learned how to swim because of the disgust for my body.

I just can't deal with pool/water situations right now. I have friends that have been going to the lake and stuff, it just makes me dysphoric. I want top surgery so bad. Right now I'm just gonna focus on getting my body ready for that, regardless of when I'll get the chance to get it.

I know this is a ftm thread, but is it just me or does being around cisgender people during water activities make anybody else dysphoric?

On a side note my ftm friend and he tends to wear loose shirts and swim trunks.

Quote from: Bookworm on July 06, 2014, 01:08:35 PM
I know this is a ftm thread, but is it just me or does being around cisgender people during water activities make anybody else dysphoric?

On a side note my ftm friend and he tends to wear loose shirts and swim trunks.

I had to walk off the beach yesterday because very fit shirtless guys about my age kept walking by. It got extremely dysphoric. You're definitely not alone.

Quote from: CursedFireDean on July 06, 2014, 01:37:14 PM
I had to walk off the beach yesterday because very fit shirtless guys about my age kept walking by. It got extremely dysphoric. You're definitely not alone.

I would say thank goodness I am not alone, but well.... we both know how much these feeling suck.

I usually wear swim trunks and a rash guard, hate it, can't wait for top surgery also, so I can go shirtless at the beach, f**k the scars, i'm paying for the flat chest, i'm showing it lol but on a real note, be nice to have something that can flatten us and let us swim

How do I deal with swimming? I generally do not swim. Which is a shame because I actually can swim and would love nothing more than to be in the water three days a week.

The last time I was in the water, it was a few summers ago at the beach. Since it was dirty ocean water, I didn't feel so bad about getting in. Hell, it was actually kind of fun, even though I had on long jean shorts and a heavy shirt (and binder, obviously.)

On a side note, this thread just reminded me the last time I actually wore a (ugh, girl) bathing suit was in grade school, maybe fifth grade. Mom told me to shave my legs and thighs. You don't want the boys to laugh at you, do you? Which, even then, my reaction was akin to "No mom, I don't give a flying monkey if they laugh. It's not my problem."

I have a wetsuit that flattens OK, but I usually just swim in whatever I'm wearing at the time. I only swim in my pool, anyway, and all the people in my family know my history. I try not to think about the twins in the water. I've always been a swimmer (I was on the first swim team ever at my school after the pool installation was finally finished. Not being particularly athletic, however, the best placement I ever did was fourth. w/e), and when I want to go in, nothing stops me.
I try not to let dysphoria keep me from doing the things I really want to do (working out, which I can NOT do in a binder, and swimming especially), and most of the time, I succeed. Sometimes my extreme bull-headedness is a blessing.

I normally just wear swim trunks and some sort of bikini top. I'm not out yet so I'm not trying to pass when I swim. Sometimes I wear my old binder with a black underarmor shirt over it and that seems to work fine. The problem is, I really like my belly. I'm proud of it, so I'd rather show it off. Even if that means being seen as a girl.

I love diving. I was on the dive team this year and it was scary as hell but I love perfecting a dive and entering the water just right. I love being in the water and normally my dysphoria doesn't hit till I'm getting dry, I'm lucky on that count. I hated wearing a one piece for dive team though. Not only did I not get to show off my abs, all of my leg was showing. It was really awkward as I used to self-harm on my upper thigh. There were only a few scars but my teammates kept asking what happened. 

I just saw this thread. My approach so far us trunks, a binder, and an activewear shirt from old navy. I posted pics in the "do I pass" thread because I just don't know.
My body is weird after losing a bunch of weight, and I'm probably a DD chest.

I'm at the lake camping with family and I'm out to them, and have been using the men's room.
I did get a "he," from a stranger, but I'm not on T and my voice is very high.

Gonna echo everyone who's mentioned the dysphoria when seeing shirtless cisguys. My dysphoria today got to the point that I had tears in my eyes looking at two shirtless guys headed home from the public pool.
As far as myself swimming, I swim in trunks and a binder. If anyone is around other than my mom, I don't swim at all. I'm lucky that my stepdad has a pool and my work schedule means that I get a lot of personal swimtime, though.

This will be extra relevant to me because this summer part of my job will be taking people to the pool...and I have to accompany them in the change rooms.  I am going to have to be extra creative, not only in how I dress but in how I handle the changing room situation. I'm not really all that worried about it though, there are always solutions.

It would suck to have to work around the pool and have dysphoria. I know I did not renew my lifeguard certification because of it. Now obviously my triggers are different, but the feelings are the same. I wish they made swimsuits that helped transgender people. I mean I guess the probably exist, but still.

I wear swim trunks , sports bra and a tank top to swim. My chest is small so it makes them look like pecks. I too get dysphoric when I see guys walking around. I get depressed and want to hide. I think of how nice it must feel to be shirtless