Does having curly hair prevent you from swimming?
This is a question I have asked myself and others so many times over the years. It’s a question that bothered me so much, I even made certain to cover it as a topic of my university dissertation.
Aside from the lack of representation and generational trauma, and cultural indifference towards swimming, hair has been one of the main reasons why Black and mixed-race women did not swim or know how to.
One of the main reasons hair is a barrier to swimming for many curly-haired people is simply because swimming caps are not made with curly and afro-textured hair in mind.
Swimming caps, for decades, have been far too small for afros and curls. Then, even if you do get your hands on one big enough, it can be difficult to put it on as well as take care of the hair underneath it.
Chlorine is not our friend – especially when our hair is already naturally drier than straighter textures.
Five tips for how to protect curly hair while swimming
As an ex-competitive swimmer myself (more of my story in this column), I remember the complexities of taking care of my hair underneath my swimming cap. And having gained some hacks from my years as a swimmer, I’ll be sharing my best advice for swimming with curly hair:
1. If you’re swimming to keep fit, learn, or train, buy a bigger swimming cap!
Soulcap has a large swimming cap range that caters to long hair, thick hair, curly hair, afro hair, and has styles to fit locs and box braids.
They are slightly more expensive than your average cap, but they are well worth the investment; there is nothing worse than a flimsy swimming cap splitting just before you enter the water.
2. Find a way of styling your hair that suits how often you swim.
If you swim less than three times a week, you will probably be fine styling your hair in a bun, low ponytail or puff underneath your swimming cap (providing it’s big enough).
If you’re swimming more than three times a week, consider braiding or twisting your hair into a protective style so that the majority of your hair is less exposed to the chemicals in the water. This will also make washing your hair easier as it’s less likely to be matted and tangled.
3. Invest in some new products if you can.
There are two types of products crucial to keeping hair healthy when swimming. The first is a good co-wash.
If you’re swimming three or more times a week, you do not want to overdo the shampooing because your hair will just dry out, on top of all the chlorine.
Using a co-wash is perfect as it cleanses your hair of chemicals while conditioning your strands and adding some much-needed moisture.
The second recommended product is a good leave in/protection spray.
This will re-energise and re-moisturise the hair after swimming, while helping to prolong that week’s hairstyle.
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4. Rinse your swimming cap when you have finished with it each time.
If you don’t it will be super slippery from hair products, making it difficult to put on and hard for it to stay on your head while swimming, which is just really annoying and inconvenient.
5. If you’re swimming just for fun or are on holiday and don’t want to wear a swimming cap, just ensure your hair is kept moisturised and protected.
Use a good leave-in conditioner before entering the water and perhaps apply a UV and environmental protection spray just to keep on top of it throughout the day.
I can’t lie: when on holiday, keeping my hair healthy is the last thing on my mind so I’m not judging you if you just leave your hair be a little more!
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This is something I feel so passionately about because I know the struggle all too well, especially when you’re the only curly-haired person in your swimming or holiday group and no one quite ‘gets it.’
But please do not let your hair stop you from swimming – you deserve better!
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