It seems to me like the swimsuit situation has gotten a bit out of hand. Prices are high; LZRs are unavailable; swimskins are legal for USMS pool meets... the list continues.
With the fabrics, I think we can all agree neoprene should remain illegal for pool meets. But beyond that, who's to say what is and what isn't? It will be tough with all the new technology, and as we're seeing today with Speedo and BlueSeventy being FINA sponsors, it will be tough to knock the gift horse in the mouth.
Most of these new suits are body suits. Why not try to limit the effect a suit has on a performance by limiting the amount of suit that can affect performance? It is a stretch to get back to "briefs" and "recordbreakers," as already, women have a fabric advantage. But why not put a limit on the total amount of fabric that can be used, or the total amount of acceptable body coverage?
Small step to take, and in the end, to make the genders fair, we probably wouldn't lose much suit. But I think it is rediculous to see people completely covered at the pool. Their swims should be all about them - not what they and their suit can accomplish.
I realize however that it would take a major overhaul of the entire swimming organizations in order to go back to the days of swimming in real swim suits rather than laser fused seamless body suits.
Bodysuits are real suits.
What's so good about the old days? I don't want to go back to penny loafers and huge shoulder pads. Why should I wear a suit from circa 1960? Why is that better or more real? Why do people feel "guilty" in bodysuits and morally superior in tanks and briefs? Guilty?!?! Not comprehending that at all. Let everyone wear what they want to wear as long as it's legal.
I completely agree with Wookiee's post. Plus, If you haven't trained properly, no suit is going to swim the race for you. If I hopped in the pool right now with my Pro, I'd suck. My next meet I'm planning on wearing my old Pro with no water repellancy because I just like it better than tanks. Not a lot of advantage from wearing an old suit. I just prefer it to racing in a tank.
I realize however that it would take a major overhaul of the entire swimming organizations in order to go back to the days of swimming in real swim suits rather than laser fused seamless body suits.
Bodysuits are real suits.
What's so good about the old days? I don't want to go back to penny loafers and huge shoulder pads. Why should I wear a suit from circa 1960? Why is that better or more real? Why do people feel "guilty" in bodysuits and morally superior in tanks and briefs? Guilty?!?! Not comprehending that at all. Let everyone wear what they want to wear as long as it's legal.
I completely agree with Wookiee's post. Plus, If you haven't trained properly, no suit is going to swim the race for you. If I hopped in the pool right now with my Pro, I'd suck. My next meet I'm planning on wearing my old Pro with no water repellancy because I just like it better than tanks. Not a lot of advantage from wearing an old suit. I just prefer it to racing in a tank.
