Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

ande — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:27:50 GMT

shouldn't the title be FINA Withdraws Approval for some Arena Carbon-Pro Suits after Arena advised FINA of its decision to withdraw the approval codes of concerned POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro models, AR220993 – woman full body open back, AR220994 – woman full body closed back, & AR141364 – man jammer FINA APPROVED SUITS FINA Approved Tech Suits

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Former Member — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:23:14 GMT

Arena sound like it is pulling out all the stops. However, the brand new Mark 2 is in short supply. I note Arena says it will provide "racing suits," it doesn't say what suit that will be. It likely won't be an equivalent suit. I got a prompt email from Tim McCool myself, so they are trying to be responsive. He's saving you an acid green one, right? :bolt:

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Former Member — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:57:36 GMT

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

joel schmaltz — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:38:30 GMT

I agree that there isn't a good time for this to occur. With all the variables associated with ANY meet, the last thing anyone wants to worry about is suit issues of any kind. If Arena can pull this off (w/equvilent replacements) it will speak volumes off their customer service. I would not want to be working the Arena table where the exchanges will be made. Talk about a deer in the headlights. Good luck to those of you needing to exchange.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

The Fortress — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:35:52 GMT

Yes, they seem to be, but the question still remains: why now? Supposedly the issue was first found in February. Why wait until a few days before two major meets (USMS Nats and Charlotte Ultraswim)? I guess there's no good time, but this seems to be a particularly bad time to recall the suits. An extremely bad time! Especially if Arena doesn't have equivalent replacements on hand, which is what worries me. One doesn't want to arrive at Nats with a brand new carbon pro like Teen Fort and be handed a much less expensive powerskin as a "replacement." FYI, I was racing in a LZR at Zones where I set an NR and posted some good times. There was a snarky comment on FB about my times possibly not counting. The suit was legal then anyway, and it seems from the description that the defect wasn't even performance enhancing.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

knelson — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:22:42 GMT

I got a prompt email from Tim McCool myself, so they are trying to be responsive. Yes, they seem to be, but the question still remains: why now? Supposedly the issue was first found in February. Why wait until a few days before two major meets (USMS Nats and Charlotte Ultraswim)? I guess there's no good time, but this seems to be a particularly bad time to recall the suits.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

The Fortress — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:09:52 GMT

More on Suitgate: swimswam.com/.../ Arena sound like it is pulling out all the stops. However, the brand new Mark 2 is in short supply. I note Arena says it will provide "racing suits," it doesn't say what suit that will be. It likely won't be an equivalent suit. I got a prompt email from Tim McCool myself, so they are trying to be responsive.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:33:51 GMT

In that article it said USMS still won't allow the suit at nationals even though USA Swimming will allow the suit to be used till June 3. This makes no sense to me.Me either. I'm not swimming in Indy and, if I were, I wouldn't have a Carbon Pro (not worth the $$ for a jammer even if legal IMHO), but, c'mon USMS, let's save a lot of people some headaches this weekend and let the suit in the meet.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Allen Stark — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:31:47 GMT

I found the Arena website less than helpful.Evidently there is supposed to be some place to take or send the suit,but I couldn't find on the site where.I assume people at Nats can turn them in there,but it says it will take 8 wk to get the new suit.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Former Member — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:57:19 GMT

And another stampless FS Pro owner here :) This thread actually had me scared thinking about it not having a stamp. Is this 100% verified an approved suit or should we still be running it by an official? See post #37 in this thread. Kathy Casey is the chair of the USMS Rules Committee and she will be at the meet: Show it to the meet referee (or to me, if you're at nationals). If it's all textile, it should be OK, but I don't like to pass judgement without seeing it "in person". Kathy Casey, Chair, USMS Rules Committee

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Rich Abrahams — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:42:50 GMT

The latest wrinkle in this story is that USA Swimming is going to allow the suits until June 3rd! swimswam.com/.../ In that article it said USMS still won't allow the suit at nationals even though USA Swimming will allow the suit to be used till June 3. This makes no sense to me.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Former Member — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:23:34 GMT

Yeah, I've got an FS Pro without the stamp, too. I suspect it's just old stock from before when Fina started stamping them. The FS Pro is definitely a legal suit. And another stampless FS Pro owner here :) This thread actually had me scared thinking about it not having a stamp. Is this 100% verified an approved suit or should we still be running it by an official?

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

jaadams1 — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:51:43 GMT

That's great Kirk! Now, if only I could afford one, I could use it for our home USA-S LCM meet here in Wenatchee, Apple Capital, which ends on June 2nd. :)

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

knelson — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:42:59 GMT

The latest wrinkle in this story is that USA Swimming is going to allow the suits until June 3rd! swimswam.com/.../

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

habu987 — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:06:49 GMT

Whew! I'd ordered an acid green Powerskin Carbon Pro last week, only to be unable to get it above mid thigh (size 32). Overnighted a return and exchange for a LZR Racer Elite 2. Glad I did, otherwise I would have been up a creek!! :eek:

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Bill Sive — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:23:23 GMT

Approved FINA suits. www.fina.org/.../index.php

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Kathy Casey — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:03:40 GMT

FROM THE USMS RULES COMMITTEE CHAIR: True, effective May 7, 3 Arena suits will no longer be legal. Arena has waived FINA approval of three of its Powerskin Carbon Pro suits. Effective May 7 in accordance with USMS article 102.12.1D, Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro suits bearing the following FINA approval codes (found on the FINA stamp on the back of each suit) will no longer be allowed in USMS competition: AR220993 (women’s), AR220994 (women’s), and AR141364 (men’s). A representative will be at nationals in Indianapolis to assist affected swimmers with exchanging the suits. All other affected swimmers should contact Arena (www.support.arenapowerskin.com or at Arena’s FAQ page, www.support.arenapowerskin.com/faq) for information about exchanging suits. Kathy Casey, Chair, USMS Rules Committee

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

The Fortress — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:03:35 GMT

The FS Pro is definitely a legal suit. Yes. And it's a solid suit, Bobinator! There are plenty of Arena suits that are still legal too -- various powerskins, the X-Glide and the Mark 2. Don't assume someone is wearing an illegal suit just because you see an Arena label.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

knelson — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:55:14 GMT

Last night I managed to squeeze myself into my new FS Pro kneeskin that I snagged on Amazon for $39.99! I can't find a fina stamp on the suit. Yeah, I've got an FS Pro without the stamp, too. I suspect it's just old stock from before when Fina started stamping them. The FS Pro is definitely a legal suit.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Kathy Casey — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:50:49 GMT

Show it to the meet referee (or to me, if you're at nationals). If it's all textile, it should be OK, but I don't like to pass judgement without seeing it "in person". Kathy Casey, Chair, USMS Rules Committee

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Bobinator — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:29:16 GMT

Last night I managed to squeeze myself into my new FS Pro kneeskin that I snagged on Amazon for $39.99! I can't find a fina stamp on the suit. I'm sure it's approved to wear but how do I know? I'm hoping to feel an improvement over my dolfin ugly that I wore at the state meet. The suit feels like the paper suits my kids used to wear.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Former Member — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:56:02 GMT

EDITED: removed incorrect information

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

knelson — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:50:32 GMT

I've got to assume Arena will offer to replace these suits, even if they've been used.

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

The Fortress — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:33:21 GMT

Wow.I have a carbon pro jammer and I guess it is illegal now.I guess it is good I hurt my shoulder so I don't have to fret about it. Have you used it yet? If not, you can return it. What do people do that have spent $3-500 on a suit that they wore once and can't be returned?

RE: Arena Withdraws Approval for some Carbon-Pro Suits

Allen Stark — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:25:20 GMT

Wow.I have a carbon pro jammer and I guess it is illegal now.I guess it is good I hurt my shoulder so I don't have to fret about it.