I ran across this latest article on the controversy about those ecchy body suits and their “mechanization” of swimming and my comment should have been posted in the thread for “Technology Under Review” rather than as a separate topic.
news.yahoo.com/.../swimming_europe_suit_dc
However, in addition to the debate over their technological advantage, I want to make another simple argument against body suits –mainly the horrible feel of wearing them -especially in the water.
I’m, somewhat of an “aquaphile” and I took up swimming, diving, and W-Polo when I was in high school back in the late 60s when briefs were the standard suit and you could enjoy the sensation of being in the water. However, body suits just take away that sensation and wearing them in the pool is like “taking a bath with your clothes on”. Because of the loss of the feel of the water and the encumbrance of wearing excess clothing in the water, I also consider them to be a detriment to my performance.
Considering all the controversy over the technological advantage of these suits and the absolutely horrible feel of wearing them, here’s my proposition: FINA (or whoever makes up the rules) should enact a rule simply stating something to the effect that “the role of the suit and other mechanical aids shall be minimized”.
In addition to returning swimming to its sensual enjoyment, it would be interesting to see how the record breakers who wore hi tech suits would really score if everyone had to compete wearing the old fashioned briefs and they had to rely on just their individual body and innate athletic skill.
Happy swimming everyone:)
California Dolphin
Former Member
Maybe a handicap is in order.
Those wearing briefs get a fraction of a second per 50.
I agree that the suits have a strange effect in terms of not feeling connected to the water.
Some of my best masters times have been garnered while wearing jammers rather than the pants.
The full suit hasn't even been a consideration. It looks constricting.
Spending $300 or more doesn't seem worthwhile to find out that it might just be too uncomfortable to race in.
From my understanding of the history of athletics, certain sports were considered to be “innate to the body” and not subject to aid from extraneous factors. In fact, the word “Gym” (as in gymnastics or gymnasium) is derived from the Greek “Gymnos” which literally refers to performing in near nudity and swimming is one athletic activity that lends itself quite well to the definition of a “Gym” activity. It is the feel of being in the water with very minimal cover that makes swimming attractive to many.
Here’s an idea to swim faster without subjecting the swimmer to suiting up in an uncomfortable “costume”: Just add water softener to the pool to break the surface tension and reduce hydrodynamic friction. Anyone who has taken a bubble bath that contains a water softener knows how it makes the water feel wetter and slippery.
I’ve heard a saying something to the effect that “To take away the feel of swimming is to completely ruin the art”
Happy swimming :cool:
Dolphin 2
