USA Swimming proposes rule limiting suits

Of course these parents will claim that their children are participating in athletics and they are still making stellar grades -but it’s “someone else’s” kids who are flunking in school. I wouldn't expect an informed statement about swimmers from a non-swimmer. You probably aren't aware of the higher academic achievement and graduation rates of year-round swimmers. If you actually swam on a team (as opposed to your story about a high school coach in the 1960s stating you had potential) you would see in person this achievement. But, as swimmers and swimming parents, thanks for the belittling of our children. If that isn't proof enough, you should consider the careers and accomplishments of the swimmers on this forum. Alternatively, you can continue to ignorantly rant and rave about tech suits that have been around since the late 80s. This, despite the fact that numerous national level top 10 record holders on this forum have told you they make a substantial difference. Wookie and I heard one of the top 2 or 3 coaches in the nation speak to their abilities. I will take that over the rantings of a noodler.

Hey The Fortress Since I don't have any kids, your statement probably verifies my previous claim. :applaud: Dolphin 2 I guess that's where you get your stellar parenting ideas, then? You like to present yourself the expert and criticize people who actually have experience at things you've never even tried. Sounds pretty cowardly to me...

Hey The Fortress Since I don't have any kids, your statement probably verifies my previous claim. :applaud: Dolphin 2 Logically, this is inaccurate, as my facts are correct. Your response, however, does verify that, once again, you are opining about things of which you are ignorant.

Regarding Dolphin 2: 1 - He's not a competitive swimmer (and I wonder if he actually can swim) yet he's an expert on tech suits. 2 - He doesn't have any children yet he thinks he's qualified to tell us how to be better parents. I think the best response to his future ranting is to totally ignore him and not even respond to his posts. Just my :2cents:

I've heard that in terms of kids' sports that hockey is the mother-scratcher of all the expensive sports. It's up there, but figure skating and equestrian sports make hockey look like a bargain. -LBJ

There seem to be 100 other things they can be doing (in practice) at that age to be faster. I agree completely! Fort - you forgot one other unfair item. Order of events.

Yee Gads –I read somewhere on the board that now parents are spending big $$$ buying so called “tech suits” for their kids??? The adult version of the LZR lists for $450 and I bet the child’s version is a rip off too. Sounds like the parents have a “Keep up with the Jones’s” complex. The U.S. is a free country and people can pee away their money anyway they want, but this is a blatant example of a complete lack of common sense. I bet the parents are putting their kid’s suit purchases on the credit cards too. That’s just how the country got into the current economic mess. Even MAD Magazine couldn’t think up a crazier idea than this!!! :bliss: By the way, why are parents spending so much time and money on swim suits (and athletic activities in general) when the U.S. literacy rate (especially in math and science) is the lowest in the industrialized world? :badday: Of course these parents will claim that their children are participating in athletics and they are still making stellar grades -but it’s “someone else’s” kids who are flunking in school. :blah: Dolphin 2

Must be yours. Mine are doing extremely well. Hey The Fortress Since I don't have any kids, your statement probably verifies my previous claim. :applaud: Dolphin 2

Dolphin 2 - Why don't you tell us more about you. Not at a personal level. But what do you do for a living? Do you have children? You write like a well educated person. But you write about things you don't know much about. You tell us the suits don't matter - but you have never tried them. You tell us parents we spend money on swim suits instead of making sure our kids can read. Like Fort - my kids are athletes. Two swimmers, one diver. All of them are fine students. My oldest son swims as a freshman walkon at a Div 1 university. He has no athletic scholarship money but does have an academic scholarship. I have not bought a $400 suit for any of them although my two swimmers both have had FS-Pros. I don't plan to buy them tech suits any time soon. I have been around age group swimming a long time. The vast majority of kids and their parents I know care deeply about academics. If you looked at the demographics of age group swimmers you would understand why many of us might say that the illiterate kids are not swimmers. BTW - these suits are the same price for all sizes.

North Texas 14 & Under Swimsuit Standards Effective 2009 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 12:15:00 CST Effective January 1, 2009 at all North Texas Swimming, age-group defined, sanctioned meets: Swimsuits worn by females for all 14 & Under defined competitions shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor past the hip. Swimsuits worn by males for all 14 & Under defined competitions shall not extend above the hips nor below the knees. Interesting - the LSC is imposing a higher age limit with an earlier effective date (assuming PK's date above is accurate). And the girls can't wear the short leg suits either! The Texas Swimming Association put this rule into effect for all TSA sponsored meets, most notably the 14&Under TAGS state championships next hosted in March 2009 by North Texas LSC. North Texas wished to have a consistent swimsuit ruling for all their sanctioned age group competitions and also put this rule into place following TSA's rule wording. (TSA members are the 5 Texas LSCs and USA Swimming clubs) The Texas coaches generally believe that the bodysuits are particularly inappropriate for developing age group swimmers who should be earning their times through their work in the pool and attention to stroke technique.