Gear Updates

Hi there! I've recently joined USMS after about 16-17 years out of any serious training. I'm feeling pretty good in the pool so far but out of the loop otherwise. Can anyone from eras past fill me in on the following subjects: 1. Racing Suits (female) - OK so the last racing suit I owned was a Speedo S2000. God I HATED that thing. I'm glad newer suits seem to have a less strangling neckline, but now they have legs. Makes me want to get a chin strap for my swim cap. How are those comfortable? Do you still get wedgies? ANYWAY....what do you all wear for racing these days in terms of small meets? I assume a technical knee suit for big meets, but are knee suits the norm even for smaller meets? Where can I find a paper suit....lol? 2. Caps/Goggles - Two caps.... really? Seems headache inducing, but silicone seems to be in vs. latex now. Do my swedish goggle strap tails cause that much drag? Or is it more to secure goggles (which I've never had a problem with)? Do people even still wear swedes any more? I see none on my team, so I'm assuming goggles have gone all techy now too. 3. Paddles/Fins/Bouys - I still have my old square Han's paddles, Zoomer fins, and white bouy with straps. No one has looked at me funny yet....but everyone has cooler looking stuff haha. Is there anything better out there that I should try? Finally, what do they call the new fangled back to *** turn? Looks fancy and I need to learn it. Also the underwater pull with fly kick? If someone could link me to some good vids or tutorials that would be super. Thanks in advance! Welcome back! And don't worry; I'm still using my gear from 15 years ago. 1. Tech suits: I gave up on this one. Last tech suit I ever owned was the Speedo Aquablade that was waytoosmall and was beyond uncomfortable. At most of the meets I've been to here in So Cal, the knee length tech suits are the most popular. As I am flat broke however, I just wear a snug workout suit. 2. Caps/Goggles: One latex cap for me. Always. And I'm still wearing my 15 y/o Swedes, though I have upgraded to a bungee strap. I can't stand the high tech goggles. Just too much rubber/plastic/etc. 3. Pool Toys: Still sporting the original blue Speedo rectangles, faded yellow TYR kickboard and faded blue bouy. Though I have been in the market for some new, updated fins. Maybe you will have better luck getting gear answers on here than I have. 4.The Back to *** Turn: Beats me! I'm still trying to get my knees to tuck fast enough. It does look pretty cool though, just not for me. Underwater pull/dolphin kick: once you get the hang of it, you'll love it!!!

Hi there! I've recently joined USMS after about 16-17 years out of any serious training. I'm feeling pretty good in the pool so far but out of the loop otherwise. Can anyone from eras past fill me in on the following subjects: 1. Racing Suits (female) - OK so the last racing suit I owned was a Speedo S2000. God I HATED that thing. I'm glad newer suits seem to have a less strangling neckline, but now they have legs. Makes me want to get a chin strap for my swim cap. How are those comfortable? Do you still get wedgies? ANYWAY....what do you all wear for racing these days in terms of small meets? I assume a technical knee suit for big meets, but are knee suits the norm even for smaller meets? Where can I find a paper suit....lol? 2. Caps/Goggles - Two caps.... really? Seems headache inducing, but silicone seems to be in vs. latex now. Do my swedish goggle strap tails cause that much drag? Or is it more to secure goggles (which I've never had a problem with)? Do people even still wear swedes any more? I see none on my team, so I'm assuming goggles have gone all techy now too. 3. Paddles/Fins/Bouys - I still have my old square Han's paddles, Zoomer fins, and white bouy with straps. No one has looked at me funny yet....but everyone has cooler looking stuff haha. Is there anything better out there that I should try? Finally, what do they call the new fangled back to *** turn? Looks fancy and I need to learn it. Also the underwater pull with fly kick? If someone could link me to some good vids or tutorials that would be super. Thanks in advance! Welcome back! And don't worry; I'm still using my gear from 15 years ago. 1. Tech suits: I gave up on this one. Last tech suit I ever owned was the Speedo Aquablade that was waytoosmall and was beyond uncomfortable. At most of the meets I've been to here in So Cal, the knee length tech suits are the most popular. As I am flat broke however, I just wear a snug workout suit. 2. Caps/Goggles: One latex cap for me. Always. And I'm still wearing my 15 y/o Swedes, though I have upgraded to a bungee strap. I can't stand the high tech goggles. Just too much rubber/plastic/etc. 3. Pool Toys: Still sporting the original blue Speedo rectangles, faded yellow TYR kickboard and faded blue bouy. Though I have been in the market for some new, updated fins. Maybe you will have better luck getting gear answers on here than I have. 4.The Back to *** Turn: Beats me! I'm still trying to get my knees to tuck fast enough. It does look pretty cool though, just not for me. Underwater pull/dolphin kick: once you get the hang of it, you'll love it!!!