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?
I say we ban shaving too, that way, the least hairy, fast swimmers will win! Oh wait, I'm not fast. Never mind!:blah::blah::blah:
Let's see what other "approved" technological wonders should we try to get banned so all the purists can feel the playing field is level:
- Nike "air" shoes
- Football/soccer "cleats"
- Carbon fiber crew boats...or in any equipment
- Spoilers in NASCAR
- Gears on bikes (no need to revisit all the other stuff)
- Rubber padded paddles for table tennis
- High visibility colored tennis balls...dare I mention the raquets?
- Pads for football
- Aluminum baseball bats
- Horse shoes
- We won't get into details about golf equipment
- Plastic pieces in chess
- Sunglasses for Pro Poker
But darn those swimsuits sure do look like cheatin to me!
I say we ban shaving too, that way, the least hairy, fast swimmers will win! Oh wait, I'm not fast. Never mind!:blah::blah::blah:
Let's see what other "approved" technological wonders should we try to get banned so all the purists can feel the playing field is level:
- Nike "air" shoes
- Football/soccer "cleats"
- Carbon fiber crew boats...or in any equipment
- Spoilers in NASCAR
- Gears on bikes (no need to revisit all the other stuff)
- Rubber padded paddles for table tennis
- High visibility colored tennis balls...dare I mention the raquets?
- Pads for football
- Aluminum baseball bats
- Horse shoes
- We won't get into details about golf equipment
- Plastic pieces in chess
- Sunglasses for Pro Poker
But darn those swimsuits sure do look like cheatin to me!