The pools I frequent prefer that folks wear a cap (even guys) because the accumulation of hair of any length can be hard on the filters and other pool maintenance equipment. That said, it isn’t mandatory. There are aqua fitness classes where the participants never get their hair wet! If you’re going to be doing lap swimming, you don’t want your hair in your face, so a cap is good. My hair is above shoulder length. I put it in a stubby pony tail, and a cap. I use a cap for long hair since it has a little more ease than a regular cap.
Many pools have a (limited) stock of caps and goggles for sale at the front desk, but Canadian Tire or Sport Check is a good bet (in Canada). You can get a Speedo silicone cap for long hair for $20-25, and a pair of Speedo Vanquisher goggles for $24-28 that will last you a year of more of swims (3 x week). There are cheaper and pricier versions, and other manufacturers (Arena, Tyr, Nike, etc.) as well, but for my money Speedo is the way to go!
(Though I show black accessories (below) you can get them in colours, and the goggles tinted for sun protection if you swim out of doors or in a pool with a lot of glass.)
Good luck, and have fun!
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