That's it, all you ancient swim romantics have convinced me. We need to ban the new suits and require everyone to wear the same type (not brand). We just have to decide which is the 'right' model.
I submit that you revisionist dogs who think that briefs are it don't know much about swimming history. I'm attaching a photo of Duke Kahanamoku with this message to show you what the competition swimwear was like in the first part of the 20th century.
Clearly men were men here and could be one with the water. The suit certainly never helped or hindered and one could feel every molecule of water swirling by during the swim. Ah, those were the days.
Who do we have to thank for the loss of such elegant swimwear used by the Duke? Was it Adolph Kiefer? Who introduced the horrible brief innovation into the sport? Whoever it was, they should be removed from the Hall of Fame, stricken from all records, and never spoken of again!
Former Member
He looks like he had a really bad day when that photo was taken. Volcanic eruption near his home perhaps.
Moments before the photo, he was accused of cheating with that new fangled suit.
In them old days, it was considered rather vulgar and offensive to show your belly button in public... don't even go there with nipple exposure.
It's funny, Al. I was looking through my family photos and found ones of my grandfather and his brother at a New Jersey beach dressed pretty much like the Duke. That was in the 20s I think. In a later photo, when he was much older he was dressed in what I would have called baggies, clearly showing his belly button and some nipples (I believe there were two...). Finally found a photo of my dad even later and, horrors, he was wearing a brief that looked like my competition nylon suit from the late 50s. Disgusting display of flesh, in my opinion.
By the way, I just realized that the Dukes swim outfit is perfectly good as a unisex competition suit. My first experience with the technical wear was wearing a womens version. This would make for one-stop shopping and the stores would only need one rack to display the model.
Moments before the photo, he was accused of cheating with that new fangled suit.
You may have noted that the photo was published in the Police Gazette. Back in the good old days, they just meted out justice forthwith.
Not much room for your package in a woman's suit... and unattractive, too. :eek:
Even in the men's suits there is little room for the package....Without a few adjustments it's impossible to kick with good technique.....
I nominate fig leafs aided by double sided tape. Women get 3.
And if your finish the race without loosing any you get bonus points.
Actually, waterproof paint would do just fine. We might actually break more records going "bare".:thhbbb:
Even in the men's suits there is little room for the package....Without a few adjustments it's impossible to kick with good technique.....
I used to be pretty self conscious about making those adjustments until I realized that everyone of both sexes was at it as well.
Ripple's post brought it all back.... I very clearly remember me mum's rubberized swimsuit (ca. WW II ?), and quite a parade of ruffled cotton swimsuits, some home-made, for girls -- as much pleasure to don as the family tutu.
VB
