![Virgin Trains, official train partner to the Great North Swim, has launched an innovative swim cap for bearded men – the Beard Cap - which will be trialled with customers competing at the Great North Swim, Lake Windermere, June 12 – 14, 2015. Responding to debates on swimming forums about big beards causing drag, Virgin Trains commissioned its own research which revealed that over one in ten men (12 per cent) connected their beard to slower swim times, and nearly a quarter of men feel their beards hinder their sports performance. For swimmers, spectators and supporters planning a weekend away to the Lakes during the Great North Swim, there are exclusive discounts of up to 50% across Virgin Trains First and Standard Advance Fares. To find out more information and buy tickets to travel to The Great North Swim visit http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/nova/](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buck_beard_cap21.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
Facial hair, especially the long unruly kind, can prove a severe impediment to a swimmer’s aquatic aerodynamic ability. A new invention from Virgin Trains called the Beard Cap, however, promises to change that forever.
The “innovative swim cap for bearded men,” as the rail company described the device in a press release, is just like a regular swimming cap, except it also extends to cover the wearer’s chin and press the beard closer to the face. The cap, which is “reusable, adjustable and perfect for keeping bushy beards under control,” will be launched at the Great North Swim in England’s Lake Windermere from June 12 to 14.
The invention is even backed by research commissioned by the company, which revealed that over 1 in 10 men attributed their beard to slower swim times, and nearly a quarter of men feel their beards negatively impact sports performance.
“At Virgin Trains we’re passionate about giving our customers the most awesome experience possible, and this extends to their sporting endeavors as they are traveling to the Great North Swim with us,” said Adrian Verma, the company’s senior partnerships and marketing manager. “In addition to the 50% discounted tickets to the event for spectators and competitors, we’re delighted to be offering customers this innovative cap to help them do their best.”
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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com