Why Do Swimmers Shave?

Reducing drag increases speed.

Being able to take a few seconds off of a swim time in a competition situation is often enough to win the race. One recommended method of increasing speed is shaving your arms, legs and chest before an important meet.

Physical Effects

According to Dr. Leo J. D'Acquisto of Central Washington University, one reason swimmers shave is to reduce surface drag. Studies such as "Influence of Body Hair Removal on Physiological Responses during Breaststroke Swimming" show that removing hair from skin can reduce the drag in the water and help speed up time.

Psychological Effects

Another reason to shave, according to author Charles Sprawson, is for swimmers to have a psychological boost. He quotes six-time Olympic medalist Murray Rose as being able to "feel the water" better after he shaved.

History

According to Charles Sprawson, Australian swimmers began shaving their legs in the 1950s. Australian swimmer Murray Rose brought the practice to the United States in the 1960s.

References

• U.S. Master's Swimming: "Feel" for Water - Shaving Down, by Charles Sprawson
• Sports-Reference: Murray Rose
• Central Washington University: Basic Mechanical Principles Applied To Human Movement
• American Swimming Coaches Association: Information for the Swimming Family
• PubMed: Influence of Body Hair Removal on Physiological Responses during Breaststroke Swimming

Resources

• PubMed: Effects of Taper on Swim Power, Stroke Distance, And Performance