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?
In reviewing this endless discussion, it seems that the people who have the biggest problem with tech suits are those that really wouldn't benefit from them much at all (i.e. slow).
Are there any Top 10 swimmers who share the view they are the demise of swimming? From what I've seen, the fastest swimmers have embraced technology changes in the sport. Actually, it's probably that way in all sports. It also strikes me that the fastest swimmers have been swimming since they were kids and therefore have a greater right to claim the purist argument than others, yet don't do so. Maybe the claim of purist is from cheap people who aren't very good to begin with.
Random thoughts.
In reviewing this endless discussion, it seems that the people who have the biggest problem with tech suits are those that really wouldn't benefit from them much at all (i.e. slow).
Are there any Top 10 swimmers who share the view they are the demise of swimming? From what I've seen, the fastest swimmers have embraced technology changes in the sport. Actually, it's probably that way in all sports. It also strikes me that the fastest swimmers have been swimming since they were kids and therefore have a greater right to claim the purist argument than others, yet don't do so. Maybe the claim of purist is from cheap people who aren't very good to begin with.
Random thoughts.
