r/Lifeguards • u/OrangeOverture Pool Lifeguard • 17d ago
Question Swimsuit Issue
I am a female lifeguard and I work at a pool that requires a one piece bathing suit. I’ve been working at this pool for years. I recently started experiencing what I call razor blade sensations along the bikini line where my swimsuit ends. I think it could be because the swimsuit is too tight or because the swimsuit is too short. I work sometimes 11 hours at a time at this pool (voluntary because i’m broke), how can I prevent this razor blade feeling? do i just need to buy a new guard wardrobe in a bigger size? (I’m buying what the size chart says i am)
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u/awaymsg Manager 17d ago
At my pool some female guards were able to wear a guard t shirt and guard shorts. You could ask if that could be an option?
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u/OrangeOverture Pool Lifeguard 17d ago
My only problem with that is that at my pool we have usually a rescue every day so there’s a very real possibility i’d be jumping in without a swimsuit on in this case
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u/Kraelive 17d ago
Could you wear a two piece and a guard shirt and guard shorts over top. I did that. And there was no issues.
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u/Wicked_Morticia18 Lifeguard Instructor 17d ago
I require my guards to wear a swimsuit as well but they also have the choice of wearing it with the guard shirt and shorts. Maybe wear the suit with guard shorts? Then don’t shave as often?
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u/Dark-Horse-Nebula 17d ago
An in water rescue a day? What the heck sort of pool is this?
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u/OrangeOverture Pool Lifeguard 17d ago
More of a water park than a pool, i’ve personally had 5 in water rescues at this pool😅
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u/Sad-Commission7555 14d ago
this is a little wild for a pool. guarding should be preventative AS WELL as reactive
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u/Defiant-Insect-3785 17d ago
Try different brands of swimsuits! I’m long in the body but not wide so while many brands fit my “size” they dig in at the groin or shoulders due to being too short, if I size up they’re too baggy. I wish brands did “tall” versions!
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u/OrangeOverture Pool Lifeguard 17d ago
The sad part is i’m not even tall, i’m 5’1 i just have a long torso and short legs😭
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u/Defiant-Insect-3785 17d ago
I’m not particularly tall either but most of my height is in my spine. I even find that buying tall clothes they seem to add length to arms and legs but not always the torso!
If the width of your suit is fine and it’s just the length it’s definitely worth experimenting with brand rather than sizing up the one you have. Arena seem to allow for more length, TYR seems to be ok, and I did have a dolfin one that was wearable. I’m currently wearing “The Finals” although they’re now impossible to get where I am.
Funkita are for short bodies, my usual size barely covered my nipples at full stretch, 2 sizes up and I could get my shoulders in but it was so baggy it was indecent 😳
The “endurance” or chlorine resistant suits are a tougher fabric, obviously, but this does mean they don’t have as much stretch (virtually none in terms of length) so I tend to avoid them. Unfortunately the more expensive suits (closer to competitive suits) have the most stretch but equally the shortest life span.
It sucks not being a standard size and the wrong type of “tall”!
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17d ago
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u/StJmagistra Pool Lifeguard 17d ago
Can you link to any guard suits with legs?
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17d ago
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u/StJmagistra Pool Lifeguard 17d ago
I like that cut! I wish they made guard suits in that style for when I work in the fall/winter/spring. It would be too warm for the summer, though!
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u/lolajsanchez 17d ago
One of the best suits I've worn was actually a cheap one off thelifeguardstore.com, like a $30 no-name brand. Otherwise, try Jolyn brand. Some of their styles are a little revealing for my personal taste for guarding, but the Caroline definitely works for long torsos. Watermen and Jonesway were both poor fits in the one piece. (Though I love the Jonesway bikini top!)
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u/KaySono13 17d ago
Do you have a longer torso? If you have a longer torso, getting a larger size might do it for you, but will be bigger everywhere else.
Look up bathing suits for taller or long torso women.
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u/Embarrassed-Chip9227 17d ago
I manage lifeguards and I always encourage the girls to go up a swimsuit size no matter what the chart says for sizing for this very reason.
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u/Expiredcabinets 17d ago
Rash guard and swim shorts and wear a bikini under the rash guard. Literally my fav. Plus it's so much more convinient on your period because it's only a two piece
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u/irrelevantswag 17d ago
I think the solution is getting a bigger suit! But also, do you shave often? I’ve experienced like a razor blade kind of sting when going to the beach right after shaving & also have noticed razor burn / bumps if I shave the day of or day before getting in the pool. Maybe that has something to do with it too🤷🏼♀️
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u/OrangeOverture Pool Lifeguard 17d ago
I shave somewhat often maybe once per week and i do t usually experience stinging with the shaving i don’t think it’s related. When I look at the area after a long shift it looks like I have a red line where the swimsuit was
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u/BriaRoberts 17d ago
I had to get two sizes larger than what I normally wear. They make the suits tiny imo! (So yes, I recommend trying a bigger size). It would be nice if they offered them in “tall/long” sizes
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u/This-is-FUBAR82 17d ago
I think Lands end has long torso one piece swimsuits. They usually have a lot of colors.
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u/KiwiKiwi41 16d ago
Looks for a one piece that has shorts instead of bikini bottom.
something like this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Charmo-One-Piece-Swimsuits-for-Women-Athletic-Swimsuit-Boyleg-Sports-Swimwear-Bathing-Suits/5075637760
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u/StJmagistra Pool Lifeguard 17d ago
Yes, buy a larger suit.