Tyr

TYR (pronounced "tier") swimwear was founded in 1985 and, according to its website, is the largest privately owned manufacturer of swimsuits in North America. The executive vice-president of TYR, Steve Furniss, was captain of the U.S. Olympic swim team in 1976 and won a bronze medal in 1972. He and his brother Bruce (1976 Gold Medalist) both participated in the 1996 and 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.

All swimwear designers and manufacturers have their own claims to fame, and TYR is no different. A TYR swimsuit was featured on the cover of the 1991 swim suit issue of Sports Illustrated. TYR swimming suits are worn by the cast of the television series, Baywatch, for its entire series. TYR was also the first choice of apparel for Lynne Cox, the “world’s most extraordinary distance swimmer,” who became the first human to swim an Antarctic mile. She also swam the English Channel, Cook Strait, Strait of Magellan, Bering Strait, and Cape of Good Hope. The company is also more than proud to become her product sponsor.

One of most popular collections is the TYR reversible swimsuit, which is pretty self-explanatory. The web site description says these swim suits are all lined with Lycra for protection against the damaging effects of chlorine, salt water, and the sun.

The TYR web site does not have an option that lists the current top selling TYR swimsuits, but they do show featured products under each category. Under “Women”, the featured products are the Alliance Team Splice Maxback bathing suit ($54-$59), Equinox Diamondback swim suit ($57-$59), and the Alliance Female Jacket ($62.00). Under “Men”, the featured products are the Alliance Team Splice Racer ($29-$31), DNA Jammer ($37-$39), Solid Male Singlet ($59.00), and the Alliance Team Male Jacket ($62.00). The “Youth” featured products include Alliance Team Splice Jammer ($36-$38), Illumination Racer ($29-$31), Alliance Team Splice Maxback swim suit ($54-$59), and the Alliance Team Youth Warm-Up Set ($70.00). TYR even offers a few toddlers swim suits, mostly under $30.

TYR even offers great help to those putting together teams by giving them a guide for getting uniforms, such choosing a color and if they need uniforms for boys, girls, or both genders. The company seems to understand the importance of being part of a team and knows that the last thing coaches need is to stress about trying to find the perfect uniforms.

Those at TYR do not have just themselves in mind, but they have in mind those who take the skill and art of competitive swimming very seriously. It’s a way of life, and like they say at TYR, “it’s personal.”