Every year, for as long as girls’ swimming coach Joe Yaeger can remember, swimmers shave their bodies before meets, giving them a boost before competing.

“Hair has air bubbles, and it will slow you down,” Yaeger said. “When you shave it, you actually shave off that skin as well. It makes you feel the water a little more.”

Yaeger said swimmers don’t just shave their legs, but their entire bodies, except for anything covered by the swimsuit/cap or their eyebrows.

Sophomore Sara Anderson said she enjoys not having to worry about shaving her legs during the season.

“For the whole season, starting early September, we are not allowed to shave our legs until the final meets,” said Anderson. “For JV swimmers, it’s JV conference, and for Varsity, it’s sections.”

Senior Captain Katie Orton referred to leg hair as drag, meaning it slows the swimmers down.

“It feels really different because we’ve gotten used to swimming with hair on our legs.”

Orton said she believes shaving not only eliminates physical drag, but also provides a mental boost.

“When you’re swimming (after shaving), it feels like you’re just gliding through the water. It’s really all mental.”

For now, the swimmers will compete without shaving at their upcoming meets. The next swim meet is at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at Olson Middle School against Bloomington Jefferson.