So, you racer types, do you wear the FS and shave for just the big meets, all the time, or something in between?
Skip Montanaro
shave only for 2-3 "major" meets a year
wear a jammer or legskin for all other meets
and NEVER wear my grnadmothers flower bloomers as a workout suit like Sam!
In the past few years, I've shaved and tapered for one big meet each year. Last year was SCY Nationals. I do taper for 1 or 2 other meets during the year but generally don't shave. I'm debating if I should shave for a small meet this weekend and wear the fastskin body suit in an attempt to make the 100 free QT for nationals next spring. Last meet (2 weeks ago) I was about 1 sec out without shave, taper or fastskin. With the taper, will the shave and suit give me that second?
I never shaved my pits. Probably should have.
Shaved my head, just couldn't shave the odor makers.
Funny thing is I don't need to shave my dome now, except for my ears.
I did for my first Zone meet, which was 10 years ago. Anyone shave down for masters meets?
I shave for big meets. I may just clip to stubble for others
You will see a variety of choices at masters meets, from "smooth shaved" to "Chewbacca"...and that's just the girls' legs!
:lmao:
*ducks and runs*
When I started in masters back in the 80's, I didn't do it for the first year or so, but for my second Canadian Nats I was talked into it the night before (bled like a stuck pig, I didn't know the 'tricks' of doing it right) and did wonderful drops in that meet and the sense or feel of the water was terrific and maintained for a week or two after. Later the time effect was never so dramatic, but the feeling of heightened awareness of the water always comes back. I would never do it more than twice a year.
Of course, the last few years being 'on the shelf' has resulted in a luxuriant crop that will require shears as a first step.
Not since 1986. With my current times I don't see much point, but if I get faster I may reconsider. How much of a difference does it make? A few hundredths or tenth of a second at most per length I would guess. I'd rather get a buzz cut or wear a cap.
Yea, I agree. Maybe if I was close to a record or something, I'd do whatever I could to make/beat it. But even 5 seconds off of a 100 yd free for me isn't going to be that significant. Certainly not enough to spend even 30 min shaving.
Before any meet I do, I'll do some sort of taper. When I compared 2 meets, one just tapered and the other tapered/shaved (about 2 months apart, same pool), one event was a second faster (200 yd ***), the other was about a second slower (100 yd ***). I can't remember if I wore the same suit or not, but I only swim meets in briefs (don't own a jammer or any of the technical suits).
shave only for 2-3 "major" meets a year
wear a jammer or legskin for all other meets
and NEVER wear my grnadmothers flower bloomers as a workout suit like Sam!
I am just that comfortable with my manhood. (I do have to "stuff" my suit if it is a noon workout though, the daylight can be a bit humbling if you know what I mean)
