Swimming & Diving | Sports & Leisure Classifieds

There are a seemingly endless variety of options open to shoppers when they look to buy swimming and diving equipment and related accessories. A lot of the decisions made will of course depend on the person that will be using the equipment and / or accessories and what they want to do -- for example, somebody who wants to take up synchronised swimming will have very different needs to someone who wants to learn scuba diving!

Buying swimming equipment and accessories
Some people simply want swimming equipment and accessories for leisure purposes. They may, for example, want to buy some floats and swimming toys for the family to play with either on holiday or at the swimming pool. More serious swimmers, however, will need to buy different kinds of equipment and accessories. They may, for example, need a wetsuit and cap for swimming in the sea or nose clips, ear plugs and goggles if they use swimming as a regular exercise. Swimming fitness gloves are also a popular choice nowadays.

Swimmers that want to go snorkelling will again have different needs and will probably need to buy some specialist equipment. Options here include snorkels and fins or flippers. In general terms buying specific brand names may be the best option here as they may be more reliable than cheaper options and may last longer. If safety is a consideration here then they will also probably be better.

Buying diving equipment and accessories
Buying diving equipment and accessories can be a little harder than buying swimming items as there are more complex options and safety concerns. The first thing a shopper needs to do here is to establish who will be wearing / using the equipment. Buying an oxygen cylinder or diving jacket for a child is a completely different purchase to buying one for an adult, for example.

In very general terms somebody looking to take up diving will need the following equipment (at least to get them started as they learn). So, essential items here include: a stab jacket (and maybe a wet suit); fins; a mask; a snorkel; a cylinder and regulator; and, a pressure / depth gauge. More experienced divers will also need a range of other accessories -- some are essential and some are 'nice to haves'. These include: a weight belt; a compass; a torch; a dive bag; strobes; and, ankle weights.

The key thing to remember here, especially if buying diving equipment and accessories, is that safety is vital. People cannot cut corners here as being left underwater without adequate safety resources or equipment could be life-threatening. Many experienced divers recommend buying brand name equipment that is known to be reliable -- this may cost a little more but as least the individual will get the maximum safety benefits. And, the equipment will last longer and be more reliable. The easiest way to assess options here is to take a look at diving equipment and accessory reviews to see what other divers think. There are also plenty of diving sites on the Internet that can give advice on the kind of equipment that is likely to be needed for any diving scenario.

Buying swimming and diving equipment and accessories second hand
It is increasingly common to buy swimming and diving equipment and accessories second hand. This is generally due to the fact that these kinds of purchases -- especially when it comes to diving equipment -- can cost quite a lot of money so it makes sense to buy second hand to save a few bob.

Buying second hand products here from a sports, swimming or diving shop is not a problem as you can actually see the equipment or accessories and can also try them on if necessary. Shop staff will also be able to answer questions and may also have run safety checks on the equipment which can give an extra element of reassurance.

Buying second hand swimming and diving equipment and accessories online is obviously not as straightforward. But, as already mentioned, this is a common thing to do and should cause no problems if the person buying the equipment / accessories asks the right questions.

The first thing to do here is to establish why the seller is selling on their equipment and / or accessories. They may, for example, be upgrading their equipment and want to recoup some money to help fund the upgrade. They may have bought the equipment/accessories for themselves but may then have found that they don't have to time or the inclination to actually use it. Or, they may simply be selling on duplicate items such as unwanted gifts. Working out why a person is selling this kind of equipment or accessory will in itself go some way to making you feel more confident about the purchase.
If buying second hand diving equipment or accessories online then you need to address safety and quality concerns head on. Ask the seller about the condition of the equipment and check that everything works. A wet suit with a hole in it won't be much use and a cylinder with a faulty valve could be dangerous. Most people will be honest here as they appreciate the safety issues. If possible ask to see photos of the equipment (especially if this is a major purchase). This will allow you to actually see how the equipment looks which will give an added quality and safety check before finally committing to the purchase.