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?
Former Member
Are you assuming FINA approves these suits?
Apart from gossip, I've only had one masters swimmer tell me that he/she gets free suits. I'm sure the vast majority don't.
just speaking hypothetically.
i am also sure that the vast majority are paying for them, but i am also sure that many highly visible swimmers don't.
Hey Aquageek:
Regarding your comment about “technology” (the use of so called tech suits) making swimming an enticement and exciting to kids, I doubt that’s going to work.
Kids already hate the hassle of taking ordinary P.E. and the hassle of using a tech suit for swimming will exacerbate the problem instead of making things better.
I absolutely hated taking P.E. in junior high school because of the hassle of changing clothes, getting hot and sweaty, having to take a shower, and getting dressed again. :bitching:
In high school however, the P.E. center had a full sized pool for lap swimming and I actually embraced taking P.E. where I could change into my simple briefs and swim laps without the hassle of getting hot and sweaty. :banana:
If I had to endure the hassle of putting on one of those “techy suits” (like being swallowed by a python) then swimming in it (and the horrid sensation getting hot and sweaty inside a waterproof suit), I would have NEVER gone near P.E. -much less the pool. :bitching:
If you want to get kids interested in P.E. again, then get the hassle out of it –and tech suits are a hassle if there ever was one. :bitching:
Dolphin 2
It's is obvious to me that you are either a moron or you love to stir the pot. My vote is for the latter, but I'm sure some will argue with me.
Nobody wants the frickin' PE kids to wear a tech suit in the pool. There are very few places in the country where kids get to swim for PE. The tech suits are exciting for kids who swim competitively. They're exciting for many adults who swim somewhat competitively. They drew a lot of attention to swimming outside of the interest garnered by Phelps and his quest for 8 gold medals.
And it's pretty obvious that those kids who don't like PE because it's a hassle, are not the same kids who are swimming and competing for time cuts and devoting a significant portion of their time to training.
Hey Aquageek:
Regarding your comment about “technology” (the use of so called tech suits) making swimming an enticement and exciting to kids, I doubt that’s going to work.
Kids already hate the hassle of taking ordinary P.E. and the hassle of using a tech suit for swimming will exacerbate the problem instead of making things better.
I absolutely hated taking P.E. in junior high school because of the hassle of changing clothes, getting hot and sweaty, having to take a shower, and getting dressed again. :bitching:
In high school however, the P.E. center had a full sized pool for lap swimming and I actually embraced taking P.E. where I could change into my simple briefs and swim laps without the hassle of getting hot and sweaty. :banana:
If I had to endure the hassle of putting on one of those “techy suits” (like being swallowed by a python) then swimming in it (and the horrid sensation getting hot and sweaty inside a waterproof suit), I would have NEVER gone near P.E. -much less the pool. :bitching:
If you want to get kids interested in P.E. again, then get the hassle out of it –and tech suits are a hassle if there ever was one. :bitching:
Dolphin 2
Once again I am astounded at your absolute cluelessness with regards to the use of 'tech suits'. They are for wear during swimming competitions, preferably in major championship meets in fast pools where the swimmer wearing said suit has trained heavily for and is tapered. NOT for wearing in P.E. class :rolleyes:
I have seen many a troll on many a BBS/Forum/ChatRoom etc but you sir, are a true top 5 percent-er for bringing absoutely nothing relevant to any discussion you stomp your way into.
...inside a waterproof suit...
AND, having never worn one of these suits or even having held one, what makes you think you can say they are waterproof? They saturate just like any other piece of fabric (perhaps a bit slower).
Geek,
You must have only read the inflamatory portions of my posts on this subject. See my post on December 10th to show that I have been consistent that I think the tech suits are good for the sport. I think I mentioned it a few other times as well.
You and Ande just ticked me off with the "idiot" comments regarding non-tech suit wearers. I understand that you were probably trying to combat the lack of logic and swimming experience/expertise of the some of the posters. There is room for everyone in the sport and I really don't see that not wearing the suits is a substantial disadvantage for most masters swimmers, except at the highest levels of the sport. If you are out to compete once in while, not break records, and your training is not optimized, you hardly need a tech suit. I am a decent swimmer, but that is the category I belong in and most masters swimmers probably fall into this category. Everyone likes dropping time so I am sure there is an addictive quality to the suits for even average swimmers. Addiction to the sport is good and progress is good. Records are made to be broken.
I am done with this subject. Back to work. Yes, I do have a job and passed the substance abuse testing.
Preach
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../19679.asp
Re-read the link you posted. They are not seeking to ban tech suits out right. They are seeking to limit the amount of skin they cover and they are asking for at least 12 months of study before a new suit si approved.
This is not seeking a total ban on all tech suits. I agree with Ande,Geek and Fort... let those of us that like tech suits spend our money on them that want too. If you or this or that person doesn't want to use them or believe in them, fine, but stop trying to push your beliefs about swimming on others.
I am starting to rember why I enjoyed the company of water polo players. None of those suit mops for them.
You are can always go back to water polo then.
