If you’ve ever made the mistake of opening a swimmer’s backpack, chances are you were treated to a nice, sweet smell of chlorine twisted with a harsh blend of mildew, goldfish and moisturizer. If, despite the warning signs, you continued to scavenge for loot, you most likely found these treasures hidden amongst a bath towel and a textbook or two:
1. Goggles on goggles
One pair just isn’t enough.
2. Inhaler
For all those moments when your lungs need some help.
3. Rotten banana
Hopefully you find this one before it’s too late. A rotten banana is a friend of no one, except for banana bread.
4. Secret stash of candy
Sometimes, a delicious chocolate bar is what you need after practice. (Disclaimer: don’t make it a habit).
5. Empty Water Bottle
The empty water bottle is always there, begging to be refilled…or it’s slightly rank with faint hints of mold ringing the bottom.
6. Lotion
Lotion is almost as necessary for a swimmer as the water they swim in. The small, hotel bottles can almost always be found in those outer pockets.
7. Spare change
That incessant jingling isn’t coming from your friend’s purse. Spare change is essential for when you can’t justify breaking a twenty on a vending machine.
8. Hair ties
I’ve never had long hair in my life, but somehow they make an appearance at the bottom of my bag.
9. Sharpie
You don’t have to be ashamed, it’s still cool to write your events on the back of your hand.
10. Miscellaneous
A swimmer’s bag is the quintessential storage device that goes wherever you go. It can survive winter storms, tumbles and scrapes, and ginormous puddles on the pool deck. But most importantly, it holds everything that your school backpack cannot.
Backup swim suit
Love it
Yesterday, I found my child cleaning off the inside of her bag with baby wipes. I took the bag, washed it, and set it out to dry on the porch. When I reached in the bag to check if it was dry, my nails came out covered in black goo! I turned the bag inside out, doused it with detergent, and washed it AGAIN in hot water. Still black, but no more goo. The bag is only two years old! Our swimmers get one bag during outfitting over the course of their team career. Given the many stories like mine posted here, teams need to consider a new bag every couple of years.
Spare undies
Mouldy swim caps
A mummified clementine and leather banana skin were found after mandatory clean-out of bags this summer!
two tons of caps
bungees
forgotten jewelry
food of some sort
The long lost bottom to my daughter’s workout bikini! It’s been missing all summer. Unfortunately, it was covered with mold. Must have been that half-eaten sandwich we found in there, as well.