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?
Geek,
At least we have some common ground to work with.
Cyclist,
Just because I personally don't care for the suits doesn't mean that I don't think they are good for the sport. I think I have posted that a number of times. In regard to masters swimming I think it helps bring more attention and competitors to the sport and most likely sponsorship as well. In my book those are all good things. Swimming has made many stroke and turn changes in the last 20 years that probably affect times as much as the tech suits. Not to mention the non-rule changes like increased use of SDKs which decrease times significantly. I would say all the changes in rules including the suits have been positive for the sport. I think the suit costs are relatively inexpensive so if you are really looking to beat a time or person and you think that is the difference, then buying a suit is easy. Don't mistake me for a purist or a preacher that is against tech suits. So for now, put me in the category of pro-tech suit, but they just are not for me given my lack of desire to squeeze out ever tenth of a second.
Preach
Geek,
At least we have some common ground to work with.
Cyclist,
Just because I personally don't care for the suits doesn't mean that I don't think they are good for the sport. I think I have posted that a number of times. In regard to masters swimming I think it helps bring more attention and competitors to the sport and most likely sponsorship as well. In my book those are all good things. Swimming has made many stroke and turn changes in the last 20 years that probably affect times as much as the tech suits. Not to mention the non-rule changes like increased use of SDKs which decrease times significantly. I would say all the changes in rules including the suits have been positive for the sport. I think the suit costs are relatively inexpensive so if you are really looking to beat a time or person and you think that is the difference, then buying a suit is easy. Don't mistake me for a purist or a preacher that is against tech suits. So for now, put me in the category of pro-tech suit, but they just are not for me given my lack of desire to squeeze out ever tenth of a second.
Preach
