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?
I think it does prove that people are, more or less, relying on the performance improvements given by the suits.
And is that a bad thing?
Doesn't it just mean people might care about their times? Or perhaps small meets are the only places they get to swim or they can't do many meets ... Not everyone tapers for the big meet. Not everyone goes to Nationals.
Is it a bad thing to wear your tech suit every meet?
Not really. Just making an observation. I think it does prove that people are, more or less, relying on the performance improvements given by the suits.
One other thing I've noticed. I know people have been wearing tech suits for quite a while now. One thing that has because much more common, I think, is people wearing them for every competition. It used to be you'd go to a smallish local meet and only see a couple people wearing bidy suits. Now they are commonplace at any meet you go to.
Who cares what people do? Is it a bad thing to wear your tech suit every meet? And, if so, why? Right now, I plan on wearing my B70 for all competitions. I don't swim in many meets per course, and I'd like my times to be meaningful. (Of course, that assumes they even count.)
The whole tech suit thing is a done deal... records and all... let's move on to cooler caps, webbing (gloves), fins and props!
Seriously, this discussion is old. They're here to stay, like em or not.
In 2007, I had the #2 time in the country in my LCM 800 and #1 in LCM 1500. Wearing a $15 grab bag speedo brief, $2.95 cap and $4.95 sweedes.
So what was with the legskins at zones? I've got pictures, remember! You are going down that slippery slope.
You know, if you actually SHAVED, you might drop some serious time...
Interesting: the poll is running 29-19 (against a ban), which is closer than I thought for this crowd.
In 2007, I had the #2 time in the country in my LCM 800 and #1 in LCM 1500. Wearing a $15 grab bag speedo brief, $2.95 cap and $4.95 sweedes.
Braggart. OK, let me rephrase, 99.9% of fast swimmers these days wear the fast suits. I'm sure there are one offs here and there but as a general rule, you see the tech suits in the big meets in the fastest heats.
From what I can tell, virtually all my competitors are wearing B70s, so I'd say the playing field -- at least with respect to tech suits -- is even.
So the net result is the sport has gotten more expensive for everyone.
One other thing I've noticed. I know people have been wearing tech suits for quite a while now. One thing that has because much more common, I think, is people wearing them for every competition. It used to be you'd go to a smallish local meet and only see a couple people wearing body suits. Now they are commonplace at any meet you go to.
All the fast swimmers wear tech suits. I would want to swim with the faster swimmers regardless of what I wear.
In 2007, I had the #2 time in the country in my LCM 800 and #1 in LCM 1500. Wearing a $15 grab bag speedo brief, $2.95 cap and $4.95 sweedes.
I think Jim Clemmons is swimming such a variety of events and doing so well. We run into each other one year per age-group and believe me he is the real deal. I think he is getting better and learning more about what works for him each year. One hell of a swimmer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahh, gee. :blush: Thanks Bob.
I think Jim Clemmons is swimming such a variety of events and doing so well. We run into each other one year per age-group and believe me he is the real deal. I think he is getting better and learning more about what works for him each year. One hell of a swimmer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
