UnderSwim | Club Pricing and Resources for Swim Coaches and Centres

📊 The Research

Why Periods Are Still Sidelining Girls

01   THE STATS

Periods remain a significant barrier to girls' participation in swimming. In 2024, Eltee Sydney surveyed 2,302 Australian girls aged 11–16, revealing:

  • 63.9% have quit or avoided sport due to their period.
  • 67.6% said swimming was the first sport they gave up.
  • Only 20.7% feel confident using their current period products during physical activity.
  • 79.3% expressed concerns about leaks or product failure during sport.

When asked why they dropped out, girls pointed to:

  • Leaks and pad visibility (59.2%)
  • Fear of products shifting during movement (58.6%)
  • Feeling unable to perform at their best (57.4%)
  • “Tampons are scary” or “I didn’t know how to use one”

These findings underscore the need for effective solutions to keep girls engaged in swimming during their menstrual cycles.

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02   PERIOD + PERFORMANCE

Swimming Australia's Ignite Athlete Program provides insights into the menstrual cycle's phases and their potential effects on athletic performance:

  • Follicular Phase (Day 1–12): Begins with menstruation. Estrogen levels start to rise, potentially enhancing energy and mood.
  • Ovulation (around Day 14): Peak estrogen levels. Some athletes may experience increased strength and performance.
  • Luteal Phase (Day 15–28): Progesterone rises. PMS symptoms such as fatigue, bloating or mood changes can affect training and competition.

Tracking these phases can help athletes and coaches tailor training programs to individual hormonal fluctuations.

03   TRAINING AND HER CYCLE

Girls experience their cycles differently, but when symptoms hit hard, performance, comfort and confidence can all take a knock. Simple, proven measures can help:

  • Pain relief: Ibuprofen or naproxen are commonly used for cramps and inflammation.
  • Heat therapy: A hot water bottle or heat pack on the lower tummy can relax muscles and ease pain.
  • Movement: Gentle, regular exercise gets endorphins flowing.
  • Chill out: Yoga, breathing exercises or a quiet moment can help calm pain made worse by stress.
  • Extra support: Some girls find magnesium, fish oil or acupuncture helpful. Chat with a health professional first.

🎥 Watch: Why Periods Shouldn’t Sideline Girls from Swimming

Eltee Sydney founder Sarah Greenaway shares why so many girls disappear from the pool during their period, and the simple solution helping them stay in the sport they love.

🗣️ Breaking the Silence: Encouraging Open Conversations

A significant barrier to addressing menstrual challenges is the lack of open dialogue. The Eltee Sydney survey found that 84% of girls prefer discussing period-related issues with their mothers, while 79% are reluctant to approach coaches.

Creating an environment where athletes feel comfortable discussing menstrual health is essential. Education and awareness can normalise these conversations and ensure girls receive the support they need to thrive in their sport.

We gathered survey responses and comments from 2,302 Australian girls to find out why a staggering number quit sport during girlhood and what can lower the dropout rate.

The findings are a call to action for parents, schools, clubs and coaches to tackle the obstacles stopping girls from continuing sport through their teens and into adulthood.

DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT
QR code to access the girls' sport dropout survey results
Menstrual phases resource

THE MENSTRUAL PHASES CHART

A quick guide to what girls might experience during each phase of their cycle.

Energy, mood, strength, cramps... it’s all here in one easy reference.

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UNDERSWIM DEMO #1

💧 What’s UnderSwim, and Why It Matters

For girls who swim. And bleed.

UnderSwim is the invisible layer that sits under her regular swimsuit and locks in menstrual flow. Developed with elite input, tested by real swimmers, and endorsed by Swimming Australia as the Official Period-Safe Swim Underwear, UnderSwim is changing the game for young athletes navigating their cycle.

Key benefits:

  • Absorbs the same as 3–4 tampons (15 ml).
  • Seamless fit, invisible under swimwear.
  • Sealed layers keep water out and flow in, without soggy drag.
  • Sizes G10–12 to W18.
  • Designed for swim training, squads, school carnivals and water fun.
SEE PRODUCT SPECS

UNDERSWIM DEMO #2

SHOP SWIM

❓ HANDY FAQs

Can it be worn during racing?

Yes, many girls do. For longer meet days, we recommend the OG style instead of G-Fit for more absorbency and coverage.

Will it show under her swimsuit?

No. It’s fully seamless and designed to disappear under full-bottom swimwear.

How does it compare to other period undies?

UnderSwim isn’t just absorbent. It’s engineered to perform in water, with a water-resistant coating to avoid waterlogging and a sealed lining layer to keep her flow locked in.

But doesn't it mean two layers? Isn't that prohibited?

It’s allowed. UnderSwim is Swimming Australia’s official period-safe swimming underwear and an approved option under its Inclusive Swimwear Policy.

💡 Wait, don’t periods stop in water?

Short answer: no. Water pressure can temporarily counteract blood flow while she’s submerged, making it seem as if her period has paused. The pressure disappears when she leaves the water, which can cause a sudden, heavier-feeling flow.

That’s where UnderSwim helps. It works like a safety net under her swimmers, absorbing flow in and out of the water.

💸 Club Pricing: UnderSwim

Making periods a non-issue at your club just got easier. Discounted rates are available for clubs, schools and squads purchasing UnderSwim in bulk.

Quantity discount

20+ units: 25% off

CONTACT US BY EMAIL

🟣 No GST, period underwear is tax-exempt in Australia. Overseas tax and duties are the buyer's responsibility.

📦 Free shipping in Australia. Flat A$20 elsewhere.

🎁 Complimentary marketing collateral to help promote and educate.

Available only to registered swimming clubs and swim centres.

UnderSwim club information poster

SPREAD THE WORD!

CLUB INFO POSTER

Print it. Post it. Pin it to the changeroom door. Let’s keep girls in the water, every week of the month.

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Apply for a Wholesale Account

Keen to stock Eltee? Fill out the form below and we’ll check over your details. If everything looks good, we’ll flick you a confirmation and you’ll be all set to order our period-proof bestsellers at wholesale prices.

All Eltee on-sellers get access to flexible MOQs, product imagery and marketing support, plus free shipping for eligible tiers.

We'll be in touch within 2-3 business days if we need any additional info to set you up.

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Balancing an active lifestyle while navigating the menstrual cycle shouldn't be a stressor.

Our goal is to turn the "ugh" of periods into a collective "ain't no thang" situation.

We’re excited to potentially have you join us on our mission.

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