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.
Former Member
Neoprene is just synthetic rubber. It isn't always a flotation substance like a wetsuit.
No way you can simply say no neoprene. Other super suits may have performance like the LZR without neoprene.
It's turning a financial advantage into a competitive advantage.
Nah, not for masters. I don't recall seeing anyone at Nats who wasn't in some kind of technical suit, usually the one they prefered. Bodyskins galore. I don't think that can be the issue. The only issue is whether the suit is illegally performance enhancing under FINA rules. Besides, "financial advantage" is already present in other areas such as the ability to afford massages, traveling to fast pools, multiple gyms/teams, not to work, etc etc. For example, I'm sure if I traveled to Clovis next May instead of swimming at GMU, my times would be faster. Not happening.
I worry about it more at the age group level. Those kids race frequently, and the technical suits no longer seem to be confined to the big meet. They wear them all the time. Where I am, the Pro seems common at big meets. And my kid already knows a 13 year old who wore a LZR to a regular USS meet. (How did she get it?!)
I am also sympathetic to the argument that suits like the LZR should be available to all at Trials or the Olympics. But that is a completely different issue than whether bodysuits should be banned or regulated. I just find that to be ridiculous. As for "guilt" and the like, huh? I think we are all old and wise enough to understand that, under identical training/taper conditions, if you have a brand new Pro or LZR, you'll go somewhat faster than using a drag suit on older heavier bodysuit. I have no personal issues with this. I like going fast and I like the bodysuits. But for those of you that like brief and jammers and tanks for the "feel" of the water, wear them for goodness sake. But don't call the rest of us bad guys or morally bankrupt. To each his own!
As for Dolphin's comment that it's like "taking a bath with your clothes on," I have no idea what he's talking about, as usual. Sounds like he needs a time machine.
I'm considering wearing briefs at Nationals this summer. Part of it is because of the cost, but also I found myself fidgeting with my suits way too much at Austin to prevent "bubbling" and other disasters. The only potential problem with the briefs would be showing the world the blinding contrast of my summer shorts tan.
I have never had any bubbling issues. Fidgeting is normal for sprinters. It's practically a mandatory pre-race ritual, isn't it?
For what it's worth, I think you'll look much better in a brief!! Go for it! :banana:
Myself, I just ordered a Nero Comp. I like long and black.
I think the only thing we should revert to in the 1970s are gas prices and the black power afro pick my mom used. Right on!
Only one good thing ever came out of the 70s, The Starland Vocal Band. The ladies know what I'm talking about!
I feel very good about them, except when I am beaten by someone (like Geek) wearing a coventional pair of jammers.
Did Fort really say she likes "long and black"?
The most innocent things are misconstrued by the seemingly innocent ...
I feel good about my tech suits even when I get beaten by people in jammers and tanks. They're usually younger and value compression less. :D
I don't recall seeing anyone at Nats who wasn't in some kind of technical suit, usually the one they prefered. Bodyskins galore.
I'm considering wearing briefs at Nationals this summer. Part of it is because of the cost, but also I found myself fidgeting with my suits way too much at Austin to prevent "bubbling" and other disasters. The only potential problem with the briefs would be showing the world the blinding contrast of my summer shorts tan.
As technology gets better...things change. Why is golfers love the new new clubs and balls, why is it runners like new, lighter shoes, bikers like new lightweight bikes?
Yet, heaven forbide swimming take advantage of improvements in pools, racing lane lines, blocks and ohhh..shock...suits!
Look, we can't go back to the 70's...80's...90's. The suits are here to stay, so stop crying over them.
If you don't want to wear them, fine, don't. If you don't want to get beat by someone wearing them, out train them. Said it once, the suits can't do the swimming! Too many people are giving credit to the suits and not the athletes wearing the suits.
Did anyone take time to think that maybe all the hype around the suits have boosted the athlete's mental side, so they think by wearing them they will swim faster and then the ATHLETE...not the suit, goes out there and swims faster because they believed they could?
After all, this is a pretty mental sport.
Well said Wookie. I'm trying hard to not be a stick in the mud all the time.
Just ordered my blueseventy nero comp. We'll see. . .
As technology gets better...things change. Why is golfers love the new new clubs and balls, why is it runners like new, lighter shoes, bikers like new lightweight bikes?
Yet, heaven forbide swimming take advantage of improvements in pools, racing lane lines, blocks and ohhh..shock...suits!
Look, we can't go back to the 70's...80's...90's. The suits are here to stay, so stop crying over them.
If you don't want to wear them, fine, don't. If you don't want to get beat by someone wearing them, out train them. Said it once, the suits can't do the swimming! Too many people are giving credit to the suits and not the athletes wearing the suits.
Did anyone take time to think that maybe all the hype around the suits have boosted the athlete's mental side, so they think by wearing them they will swim faster and then the ATHLETE...not the suit, goes out there and swims faster because they believed they could?
After all, this is a pretty mental sport.
I can honestly say that I don't feel as good about my swims/times when wearing a technical suit as I do when I accomplish similarly good swims in a regular old recordbreaker style suit...
I feel very good about them, except when I am beaten by someone (like Geek) wearing a coventional pair of jammers.
Did Fort really say she likes "long and black"?
