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?
Show me one example where it didn't come into play? Or to be PC, where the misuse of its intent wasn't abused by an AD hiding behind it? One and the same.
You know I was just busting your chops Paul.:-) That topic could easily hijack this thread!
Other than the money the suits cost and, the availabilty I think it is pretty crappy that someone can get a suit that allows them to drop their times 2% doing nothing other than putting it on.
Based on the numbers posted earlier you're talking about 0.5-1.0 sec per 100. Fine if you don't want to spend the money for that but it hardly overshadows the effects of training or presages the end of the sport.
As many have pointed out, advances in pool technology (blocks, lane-lines, gutters, pool design), the advent of goggles, various pre-tech suits, etc have had at least that great an effect. Time marches on.
Holy crap! There's more whining in this thread than the Smith duo came up with over Title IX and its supposed involvement in the loss of Division I men's swim programs.:wine:
:frustrated:rantonoff:
Show me one example where it didn't come into play? Or to be PC, where the misuse of its intent wasn't abused by an AD hiding behind it? One and the same.
Other than the money the suits cost and, the availabilty I think it is pretty crappy that someone can get a suit that allows them to drop their times 2% doing nothing other than putting it on.
Hey, if speedo makes money and more kids are enticed to join the sport than leave, because all their parents can afford are speedos then so be it.
A socialist? i would sugges tlooking in the mirror...equality for all regardless of means or effort eh?
On that 2% faster comment...I was thinking the same thing the other day riding my chromoly road bike (sans aero bars) on a long flat stretch of road watching the ti-geeks hunked over their aero-bars on their $8000 composite bikes fade away in the distance...oh...actually I wasn't. Good for them, they choose to use their money on approved equipment that lets them go faster...I choose not to. I also choose not to go onto Tri sites and whine about the good ole days and suggest everyone following the rules are idiots for spending money they earn on toyz that let them go faster.
Holy crap! There's more whining in this thread than the Smith duo came up with over Title IX and its supposed involvement in the loss of Division I men's swim programs.:wine:
:frustrated:Seriously, this is no different than any other sport that adults play. I can guarantee you that you will play differently with a $199 set of Wal-Mart golf clubs and a $2000 set of Pings. Go out to any adult softball league and you will find people batting with $35 Eastons and other people hitting with $200 Demarinis. And you can bet there's a difference. However, skill usually prevails. I suck at golf and even if I shell out the cash for a set of Pings, some guy that practices can beat me with his $199 set of Wal-Mart clubs. Triathlons, bicycle races...most any adult sport is the same way.
I started swimming as an adult and only recently at that. I don't really ever expect to get as fast as some of the people on these forums. So, I compete against myself. And, mostly because I want to spend money on other things, I don't invest in a suit other than the brief I wear. But I certainly don't have a problem racing in a lane next to somebody in a B70 or an LZR. It doesn't matter what kind of suit she's wearing, Fort can flat out beat me. Or Ande, Paul...well, most everyone that I can name.
And you certainly can't put some, seemingly random, 2% improvement across the board. Get a grip. If it bothers you so much that people are going faster with tech suits, either shell out the cash so you can go faster, quit swimming, or even better, grow up and realize that you're not swimming professionally. You are, hopefully, staying healthy, having fun, and competing in a healthy way!:rantonoff:
Anyone could have bought one if they had the money saved and if they found it. What about new swimmers? What about those who have ripped theirs and need a replacement? Those people certainly are at no disadvantage. :rolleyes:
In the old days training may have gotten you through, not now.
Don't worry, I saw that our new President has provied some finacial support for those less tyhan fortunate B70 "wanters" in the stimulas bill....Charged, I'm guessing you've been a card carrying Soicalist for years? What next, complaining about those who can afford to pay for masters membership and club fee's and those who can't (I think that's actually covered in the mortgage bailout)?
But again, the suit can't swim for me. Will I swim faster with it? Absolutely. However, I expect to swim faster anyway, as I'm actually not pregnant for the first time in 9 years, and I've been able to train some! :D
I agree that B70 is not keeping up with demand. Can't argue that.
a question:
for those of you who supported the idea of having a seperate wetsuit division to be included at open water events.... would you also support an old school (brief) division for pool events? just curious.
