I am just back from the SPMA meet where all the top finisher were wearing the latest generation tech suits,mostly B-70s(or were named Jeff Commings.)I have here to for been in favor of the suits,but now I am not so sure.First,they eliminate the old bench marks.I went my fastest 100m BR in 5 yr in my LZR,but it was only .3 sec faster than I did untapered 5 wk earlier in my first swim in the LZR.So was my swim good or not,I'm not sure.Also,instead of focusing on technique or pace I found myself ruminating over aspects of the suits,how many more swims did the suit have,is it the right size,was the reason I didn't get better results from my B-70 because it was too big?etc.The B-70 has somewhat mitigated the "too expensive,not durable" problem,but for how long.
Lets say a company comes up with a suit that is much faster,say 4 sec/100.Further that it is very expensive(say $1000) lasts 4 swims and is very hard to make so that quantities are always limited and the fastest way to get one is to bid up to $3000 on ebay. Now lets say your nemesis has one,or that getting one is your best chance to get TT or AA or a ZR or WR,or that your child is close to making JO cuts,or finally beating his/her nemesis etc. Is it worth it and where does it stop?
Parents
Former Member
I find it a little difficult to justify this kind of expense even though I hope to be competitive at the higher levels. My greater concern is the effect it is undoubtedly having on the sport. In my hometown, the local college has no men's program. The largest local age group team is about 90% female. This hasn't seemed to change much even since Phelps-mania. There are so many other options for boys that I have to believe that this added expense will make swimming a less attractive option for parents and their athletes.
I find it a little difficult to justify this kind of expense even though I hope to be competitive at the higher levels. My greater concern is the effect it is undoubtedly having on the sport. In my hometown, the local college has no men's program. The largest local age group team is about 90% female. This hasn't seemed to change much even since Phelps-mania. There are so many other options for boys that I have to believe that this added expense will make swimming a less attractive option for parents and their athletes.
