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?
Re-read the link you posted. They are not seeking to ban tech suits out right. They are seeking to limit the amount of skin they cover and they are asking for at least 12 months of study before a new suit si approved.
This is not seeking a total ban on all tech suits. I agree with Ande,Geek and Fort... let those of us that like tech suits spend our money on them that want too. If you or this or that person doesn't want to use them or believe in them, fine, but stop trying to push your beliefs about swimming on others.
I read that link and the comments. The first comment, as per usual, was "morals vs. gold." Groan. Another bemoaned the damage to the sport and the erasing of old glorious hard-earned times. Sigh. Why is it some have so much trouble with advancement?
Does anyone think FINA will adopt USA Swimming's proposed below the knee ban? Seems ridiculous to me, as suits to the ankle have been standard since Sydney. And why exactly would USMS have to follow this rule? We're old, for god's sake. Can't we decide what we want to wear? If FINA did somehow adopt the USA proposed below the knee ban, would USMS have to follow suit? Or could there be a different rule for FINA and USMS masters?
Re-read the link you posted. They are not seeking to ban tech suits out right. They are seeking to limit the amount of skin they cover and they are asking for at least 12 months of study before a new suit si approved.
This is not seeking a total ban on all tech suits. I agree with Ande,Geek and Fort... let those of us that like tech suits spend our money on them that want too. If you or this or that person doesn't want to use them or believe in them, fine, but stop trying to push your beliefs about swimming on others.
I read that link and the comments. The first comment, as per usual, was "morals vs. gold." Groan. Another bemoaned the damage to the sport and the erasing of old glorious hard-earned times. Sigh. Why is it some have so much trouble with advancement?
Does anyone think FINA will adopt USA Swimming's proposed below the knee ban? Seems ridiculous to me, as suits to the ankle have been standard since Sydney. And why exactly would USMS have to follow this rule? We're old, for god's sake. Can't we decide what we want to wear? If FINA did somehow adopt the USA proposed below the knee ban, would USMS have to follow suit? Or could there be a different rule for FINA and USMS masters?
