Swimming Stopwatches
For a stopwatch to be suitable for serious swimming timing and coaching, it needs to be able to time in minutes, seconds and 1/100th second. Ideally it also needs to be a waterproof stopwatch*. A memory stopwatch function is preferable so that you can recall your lap times and cumulative lap times by using the memory recall function. The running time shown on the stopwatch display should be the cumulative lap running time. Other useful functions for coaching include a stroke rate stopwatch, and pacer stopwatch. The stroke rate is used to calculate the "strokes per minute" of a swimmer. A pacer can be used to set a required stroke rate to be maintained.
The Fastime 14 stopwatch is a water resistant 500 lap memory stopwatch and has all of the above functions and much more. If you do not want a stopwatch with this level of sophistication but need the stroke rate function, then have a look at the Fastime 9 stopwatch with stroke rate. This is also water resistant but has 100 lap memory stopwatch function stroke rate and time of day functions only.
The Fastime DB3 is a waterproof stopwatch with 30 lap memory and has all of the above functions except for the stroke rate function.
If you do not want a memory function, then have a look at the Fastime DB2 stopwatch. It is waterproof but with a single display and no memory. You can use this stopwatch to take individual lap or cumulative lap times. But you will need to record each time manually.
If you would like to time up to 4 swimmers at the same time then have a look at the Multichron Stopwatch.
If you only want a basic stopwatch then have a look at the Fastime 1 Jumbo display stopwatch it has an extra large display and is water resistant. The Fastime 01 basic stopwatch has the same functions as the Fastime 1 Stopwatch but is not water resistant. It is available in red, black,yellow and blue. Ideal for childrens swimming events.
The SW2 is a large display digital wristwatch with stopwatch and timer functions. Waterproof to 50M. It is ideal for swimmers.
*Definitions:
Waterproof - if immersed in water the stopwatch will continue to function.
Water resistant - if the stopwatch gets wet it will continue to function, but if immersed in water it will not function.
Splash resistant - if a limited amount of water is splashed onto the stopwatch, it should continue to function. But if the stopwatch gets wet it will not function.
If you cannot see the stopwatch you are looking for, use the options on the grey bar at the top of the page to refine your stopwatch search by activity, function, price.
You can download the instructions for any stopwatch if you need more information.
