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?
Jim, the phenomenon you allude to here is EXACTLY why I think these suits are harmful. A person can't swim a certain time on their own, so they go out and buy a suit and suddenly they're a stud. I think that is just plain wrong.
A similar example: You're a teacher with a kid who can't read at all. At the end of the year, they're promoted to the next grade.
It is really fun to lower a basketball hoop a foot so I can dunk more than a tennis ball. But you don't see the NCAA lowering their hoop so I can play for Maryland.
Don't get me wrong - it is nice to go fast in the pool. I'd love to go under 5:00 in a 500. But if someone is physically unable to perform an activity within the specified rules, we shouldn't bend those rules just so I can go 4:50. That is just plain wrong.
I second that, Jeff.
Jim, the phenomenon you allude to here is EXACTLY why I think these suits are harmful. A person can't swim a certain time on their own, so they go out and buy a suit and suddenly they're a stud. I think that is just plain wrong.
A similar example: You're a teacher with a kid who can't read at all. At the end of the year, they're promoted to the next grade.
It is really fun to lower a basketball hoop a foot so I can dunk more than a tennis ball. But you don't see the NCAA lowering their hoop so I can play for Maryland.
Don't get me wrong - it is nice to go fast in the pool. I'd love to go under 5:00 in a 500. But if someone is physically unable to perform an activity within the specified rules, we shouldn't bend those rules just so I can go 4:50. That is just plain wrong.
I second that, Jeff.
