Touche'. :notworthy:
Actually, I thought you meant during a meet your suit becoming see through or so stretched out that everyone could tell your religion. :blush:
How much of a difference does it make?
Lots. I never shave without tapering, so it's hard to know how much each one contributes indivdually, but I typically drop a couple seconds per hundred.
Why not shave? It probably takes just an hour or two. That seems like a worthy sacrifice to maximize months of training to me.
What's up with people shaving their body and leaving an absorbent mop on their face and/or head?
I confess I'm one of them :) I just never liked wearing a cap. Now I've tried it a couple times and have a hard time keeping my goggles on during the dive. I guess I'd rather be a tad slower and keep my goggles on.
As for pits, I think just clipping is sufficient.
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.
When I started swimming masters about 11 years ago, I was torn as I know I go faster when I shave, but feel dumb doing so at my advanced age. Now, I'm old enough where I just don't give a crap what people think ...
:wine: Here's to all of us that have acheived this milestone!
I shave for dates. (On re-reading I had to add this) The face, folks.
As to meets, well:
My first National meet (Egypt in the early 60's) was held -contrary to usual scheduling- at the beginning of Summer. So, like an idiot and being unable to foresee the future, I shaved, had a good meet and then went off to Alexandria and the beaches of Summer. I was in my early twenties but vowed never to shave again for a meet, unless the meet were to be held between November and March (no beaches, no pools, no girls) after my childhood girl space friend (two separate words) whom I hadn't seen in some four years or so (different cities) whispered to me if she could ask a confidential and private question, "Ahmed, do you mind confiding in me, your friend, why your legs -and torso and armpits- are shaved?"
I only swam for two years after that and thankfully, the Championships were held at the end of Summer. I shaved. The effect was more psychological than physical.
Since right now im isolated from any body of water Ill probally look like paul bunyon before i go back, but once i can hit the pool again, I will probally shave, not for meets, just for the feel in the water. Why not:banana:
