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 say we ban shaving too, that way, the least hairy, fast swimmers will win! Oh wait, I'm not fast. Never mind!:blah::blah::blah:
Let's see what other "approved" technological wonders should we try to get banned so all the purists can feel the playing field is level:
- Nike "air" shoes
- Football/soccer "cleats"
- Carbon fiber crew boats...or in any equipment
- Spoilers in NASCAR
- Gears on bikes (no need to revisit all the other stuff)
- Rubber padded paddles for table tennis
- High visibility colored tennis balls...dare I mention the raquets?
- Pads for football
- Aluminum baseball bats
- Horse shoes
- We won't get into details about golf equipment
- Plastic pieces in chess
- Sunglasses for Pro Poker
But darn those swimsuits sure do look like cheatin to me!
Your reluctance to answer the question about the bike is very telling. But, you keep preaching to us swimmers about how fast suits are bad.
I shall have patience. Why, pray tell, do you care about my steed?
I preach to "you swimmers" so that you can see the light. I once was blind.
My personal take on the suits: I have a certain time goal for each of the events I swim. When I come within .5-1 second of reaching those goals I'll consider investing in a suit. This works out great for me because I'm still several seconds away from my goal times, and that gives me more months/years to save money to buy the suit. Also, by the time I'm ready to purchase a suit, it'll be so hydrodynamic that even the water molecules in the air will be repelled, and it'll be so slippery that you'll need special gloves (sold separately) just to put it on.
:bliss:
Not worth it, go back to your bike forum and discuss a few grams of weight savings for the newest carbon pedals.
My, my, my, you are a judgemental fellow. The only forum I visit is this one. I don't give a hoot about the cycling sport of cheaters.
I'm feeling violated. Do you really think I would stoop so low as to....be a tri-athlete?
Bingo.
???
Sorry to chime in a bit late here...but what is this discussion about?
I see a lot of back and forth, what if's, by how much, on and on...about what?
In our sport (swimming) rules are in place that allow a certain type of swim suit(s)...you can choose to use them...or not. Whining because you choose not to and someone else does is a joke. Just as someone else pointed out in an earlier post about cycling, there may be some of the same crybabys out there longing for the days of steel bikes and no aerobars but who cares...the rules are the rules.
As for the who's the better athlete (regardless of the sport), the one using the approved gear or the one who isn't? In my opinion its highly unlikely that an average athlete is going to break any world records or win many races using a carbon bike or a B70...if however in a head to head race between 2 athletes who are at the exact same level of ability of course the one using technoloy will have an advantage...but nothing is a given.
(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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
