Have you ever tuned in to watch the swimming competitions during the Summer Olympics and noticed a striking number of athletes with platinum blonde hair? Or maybe you’ve spotted this trend among your local swim team and wondered if it’s a strange coincidence or some secret swimmers’ protocol. The truth is, there’s a reason behind this peculiar trend, and it’s not all about fashion.
Some swimmers will bleach their hair because it’s tradition, it serves as a good team bonding exercise, it relieves stress and is fun to change their appearance so drastically, and because they will soon shave their heads bald anyways, so might as have some fun with it.
In this article, we’ll discuss each point in more detail so you can better understand what is going through these swimmers’ heads for wanting to do something so drastic.
It’s a Team Bonding Ritual
Bleaching hair as a team before a big meet has become something of a tradition in the world of swimming. Just like football teams may have jersey numbers or specific pre-game rituals, many swim teams see hair bleaching as a unifying event.
Imagine the scene: teammates gathered together, the sharp smell of bleach in the air, laughter and conversation bouncing off the locker room walls. It’s a shared experience, a collective journey towards a common goal, symbolizing that they’re all in this together, no matter the outcome. Moreover, it sends a strong visual message to competitors that the team is united and ready for the challenge.
Their Hair is Getting Bleached All the Time Anyways
Did you know that chlorine is an ingredient of bleach? And when you’re spending hours in a chlorinated pool, your hair will turn a lighter shade slowly whether you want it to or not. Some swimmers decide, rather than wait for their hair to slowly turn blonde, they can just “rip the bandaid off” so to speak and just dye their hair blonde. Why delay the inevitable?
Stress Relief and Fun
While swimming is a highly competitive sport, it’s also important to remember that it’s still a form of entertainment – and not just for the spectators. As the tension builds up before a major event, bleaching hair can provide a welcome distraction for the athletes.
Let’s face it, the act of changing your appearance in such a dramatic way can be quite exhilarating. It adds an element of fun and non-conformity to the rigorous and disciplined routine of a swimmer’s life. Besides, who doesn’t love the idea of shaking things up a bit, especially when it can help ease the pressure of an upcoming competition?
Peer Pressure
Some swimmers may feel pressured by their teammates to bleach their hair, and not wanting to be the odd one out, go along with the whole process. Generally speaking, it’s all fun and games, and no one is really being pressured to do something they truly don’t want to do (though some might say so after realizing how ridiculous they look).
They Will Shave Their Head Anyway
Last but certainly not least, there’s a functional advantage to the whole process. After about a month after bleaching their hair, they will shave it all off anyways.
In swimming, every fraction of a second counts, and swimmers will do just about anything to streamline their bodies for better performance. This includes shaving body hair to reduce drag in the water.
Knowing that they’ll be shaving their heads for the sake of speed anyway, some swimmers might figure, why not have a bit of fun with their hair before it all comes off? It provides an opportunity to experiment with their look with the comfort of knowing it’s temporary and that they’ll start with a clean slate after the competition.
Swimmers can enjoy this psychological boost as they bond with their teammates, change their look drastically, and have a little bit of fun with their hair before they go bald. Might as well make the most of a hairy situation.
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