When open water swimmers line up to the starting area, they are armed with a variety of equipment swimsuits, goggles, swim caps, gel packs, and ear plugs.

But an increasing number of elite athletes are also adding another bit of equipment to their tool kit: waterproof tape.

In the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships, many women used waterproof tape of all types to tie down their transponders on their wrists and to hold down their goggle straps to their swim caps.

Look closely and tape can be seen on the front, back and sides of the women’s swim caps after the 5 km championship race.

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