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?
No, I think you're wrong. My opposition to the tech suits is just the opposite. I think the deciding factor in who swims fastest should be exclusively based on the training, skill and mental toughness of the swimmer--not on what suit they wear.
There's inequities built into these factors as well (access to pools, coaching, etc.)
What is wrong with jazzing up the sport? What is wrong with introducing something new and exciting that captures people's attention and has everyone buzzing? Even people who know nothing about swimming and can't name a single swimmer besides Phelps know what the LZR is. I just don't see the problem with advancement. It's not a bad thing to go faster. And the suits are fun!
I always wear a B70 or Pro when I'm racing even when I'm not tapered or looking for best times. It's good to get racing experience in the suit. That's why some (e.g., Ande) wear them in practice. In fact, I've worn them enough so that, when I do a best time, I know it's due to training and tapering, not the suit.
No, I think you're wrong. My opposition to the tech suits is just the opposite. I think the deciding factor in who swims fastest should be exclusively based on the training, skill and mental toughness of the swimmer--not on what suit they wear.
There's inequities built into these factors as well (access to pools, coaching, etc.)
What is wrong with jazzing up the sport? What is wrong with introducing something new and exciting that captures people's attention and has everyone buzzing? Even people who know nothing about swimming and can't name a single swimmer besides Phelps know what the LZR is. I just don't see the problem with advancement. It's not a bad thing to go faster. And the suits are fun!
I always wear a B70 or Pro when I'm racing even when I'm not tapered or looking for best times. It's good to get racing experience in the suit. That's why some (e.g., Ande) wear them in practice. In fact, I've worn them enough so that, when I do a best time, I know it's due to training and tapering, not the suit.
