Advice for a first time (fitness) swimmer?

  • Happy New Year, all!

    Going on my ninth month of being sidelined from my workout regimen with severe PF, and finally decided to switch to a gym with a pool.

    I can get in the water and splash around on vacation, but I know NOTHING about the culture/customs/etiquette of laps, water aerobics, or general pool fitness.

    I swallowed my pride and joined an intermediate adult learn-to-swim class, but would love any general advice on swim caps (which my pool requires), goggles, swimsuits for women-of-size , poolside manners, etc!

    Thanks!