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
www.floswimming.org/.../144541-suit-talk-the-other-battle
More logic on why the suits should go away. Has anyone come up with a good reason in favor of keeping the suits?
yea...swimmers want fast times. would you trade you state of the art bikes for ones from the 80's? 70's? for riding? doubt it.
majority of swimmers want the latest technology to help them compliment their hard work in the pool, weightroom, dryland, nutrition, etc. suits are a compliment...because as I have said before...WITHOUT doing the necessary work...no suit will make up for the lack of proper training. the dang things can't actually swim...just like a bike can't actually pedal for you.
I wish the "purist" would accept technology into the sport. Fans love to see fast swimming....swimmers want to see and be apart of fast swimming...the suits have aided in that but are not the sole reason for it.
so, all the purists need to get off their high horse and accept change.
www.floswimming.org/.../144541-suit-talk-the-other-battle
More logic on why the suits should go away. Has anyone come up with a good reason in favor of keeping the suits?
yea...swimmers want fast times. would you trade you state of the art bikes for ones from the 80's? 70's? for riding? doubt it.
majority of swimmers want the latest technology to help them compliment their hard work in the pool, weightroom, dryland, nutrition, etc. suits are a compliment...because as I have said before...WITHOUT doing the necessary work...no suit will make up for the lack of proper training. the dang things can't actually swim...just like a bike can't actually pedal for you.
I wish the "purist" would accept technology into the sport. Fans love to see fast swimming....swimmers want to see and be apart of fast swimming...the suits have aided in that but are not the sole reason for it.
so, all the purists need to get off their high horse and accept change.
