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?
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.
As my lawyer wife would say, "asked and answered." :)
Ban the tech suits? - Page 16 - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
I think the additional workload on OW events would be much smaller than for pool events. Especially since a separate wetsuit division already exists -- at the discretion of the race director (whom I think should always be empowered to decide such things) -- except for national championship races.
Paul, is this the Tracer Light? I'd certainly like to hear impressions from people who can compare it to the B70. To be honest, every Tyr suit I've bought has never seemed quite right, just always something off about the fit for me. Admittedly, I've never tried one of their full body suits.
Patrick, this is a next generation version of they're Tracer suits...not yet out on their website and I'm not sure if they will be relaesed by nationals.
Also, don't worry to much about that 25 swim issue with you're B70...I know of others that (just like FS Pro's) have gotten a lot more mileage out of them than other folks. Unlike the the Pro's I don't see the same water-logged problems occuring with the B70 and think it will be more an issue of holes/seam failure/sloppy fit that causes them to get "retired".
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.
That division already exists, populated by grumpy swim gremlins who are too cheap and lazy to buy a suit and put in the training.
Chris- Thanks for shedding light on me with those reasons. I hadn't thought of those, not being a guy.
Charged- I'll be honest with you, I don't feel like I have an advantage. The
B70 has been around for almost a year now (if not more). Anyone could have bought one.
I didn't try it until last Oct when I wore it at our SCM Champs. It ripped in two places (one seam w/poor stitching, and a hole that I had to use duct tape to repair it- LOL!). I gave it back to Roque and never bothered to follow up getting another one. It's my fault. Even though he's a teammate and friend (and our daughter's are friends)- he can't give us what he doesn't have. If I would have pursued it back in Oct. I'd be set.
I guess I'll just have to count on my training to see me through- hmm, how novel! :D
Brundage- You can't get them anywhere except Australia, that I've seen. With shipping it's well over $500! Roque said we'll be able to order them in March and hopefully get them by Pac Champs (in April).
Sounds fair to me. Those with connections and have the money and are lucky enough to even find a tech suit have the advantage.:cheerleader:
Brundage- You can't get them anywhere except Australia, that I've seen. With shipping it's well over $500! Roque said we'll be able to order them in March and hopefully get them by Pac Champs (in April).
Chris, for the sake of accuracy:
Timer #1 (male) had a heart attack and has since moved into a monestary
Timer #2 (female) missed it and thinks the other timers were lying
Timer #3 (female) is still trying to get me to go on a date
So the jury is still out.
Unsuspecting Swimmer (male) who saw the carnage unfold while waiting for his later heat continues to post annoying cryptic garbage on usms.org
But don't sell modesty short, I'm sure the timers in Paul Smith's lane wished that he was wearing briefs when the seat of his B70 ripped at LCM nationals. :)
Chris, for the sake of accuracy:
Timer #1 (male) had a heart attack and has since moved into a monestary
Timer #2 (female) missed it and thinks the other timers were lying
Timer #3 (female) is still trying to get me to go on a date
So the jury is still out.
For convenience: so I don't need to go to the locker room to take it off after the race.
For emergencies: in case the B70 rips badly just before the race, so I can strip it off quickly and still swim.
But don't sell modesty short, I'm sure the timers in Paul Smith's lane wished that he was wearing briefs when the seat of his B70 ripped at LCM nationals. :)
Using this reasoning, women should wear them too.
