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?
The suits are here, they are being used and they are legal. Swimming times will drop and then they will plateau. There is only so much a suit can do. I would prefer that mine would do the laundry and clean the house at these prices : ]
Help! I can't find Ande's post on the aqua V cap!
I just bought one today and it is absolutely amazing! My head felt so fast, like it was going to pop off my body and swim away! Ban the aqua V cap!
It's competing at who can buy the supposedly "latest and greatest" from the suit makers and nothing but a "store bought" achievement.
This is utterly stupid.
I just swam some PBs. None of them were related to having a B70.
I agree with this. But hey, I'm only top ten in a "not really masters" age group, right geek?
I like that swimming is going high tech on anything, not just suits. It's a dang boring sport most of the time, even a glimmer of excitement helps.
Jazzy - I think true competition at your age is not in USMS. We're happy to have you, though.
Are there any Top 10 swimmers who share the view they are the demise of swimming?
I wouldn't say they're the demise of swimming, but I do think the sport would be better off without them. I do plan to buy a B70. It's crazy not to use the best technology that's allowed.
I know a sick fast 200 backstroker who only wears a wee little tank when she swims in big meets. I'm sure there are others. Plenty of fast masters still using FSIIs.
Very very few masters get free suits even if they have FINA rankings. Don't assume things you know nothing about.
I don't think anyone is going to remember the 2008 Olympics more than any other.
No one is getting "artificially" lower times. They're racing in legal speed suits. Get a grip.
They embrace it because they compete against others who are using the technology.
They embrace it because they are supplied free suits.
They embrace it because times drop and if you are racing you want the lowest time possible.
That doesn't mean they are the best thing for the sport.
I don't know one single Top 10 USMS swimmer who gets their suits for free, do you?
Hey I have a Blue Seventy question. I can get a free BS suit. (we own a running tech shop/triathlete stuff too) but I don't know which one would be the best value for me. My favorite races are 1650 (1500), 1,000, 500 Free and any open water freestyle. Any suggestions?
Nero Comp full body.
(Please no more goggle lectures)
Two things, you still haven't said what kind of bike your ride and unless it's a steel frame, you really should go away.
Second, it's obvious why you don't want the goggle argument - it nullifies your entire premise.
Stop whining about the suit I choose to wear. Train harder, get stronger, swim better and then buy the suit.
