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 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.
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.
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!
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 : ]
Hasn't this discussion gone on long enough, can't we just let this die? Just agree to disagree.
I am curious however who checked the last option (survey says 5 responders):
* NO,in fact make them manditory
If it had to shell out $300+ for a suit to do a meet, or skip a meet, my choice would be made for me well in advance. But I guess that's a good way to weed people out of meets, and make them shorter.
I am curious however who checked the last option (survey says 5 responders):
* NO,in fact make them manditory
I said that to offset the response from the dipdong.
The whole sport of swimming would be better off if the so called tech suits were just dumped all together.
When there are so many variables associated with "personally applied devices", the world's records set by swimmers (such as Michael Phelps in 2008) become highly questionable as to their legitimacy. At some near point, these WRs will be considered as artificial achievments.
Considering the use of PEDs and tech suits, I really wonder if Phelps really surpassed Mark Spitz's WR set in 1972.
Dolphin 2
Ohhhhhh Myyyyyy Gooooooooooood
I seriously can not believe that you are just that friggin clueless. Do you participate in ANY sports? Because this argument can be applied to ANY sport that has ever been. Advances happen.
Golf? Yep, happens here. But wait let's throw out all the 'modern' records because they're not using wooden clubs.
Motor sports? Hmm. Throw em out because they're not using sheet steel and hard rubber tires.
Tennis? Not using wooden rackets....GONE
Cycling? Using graphite and titanium? C'YA!!!! back to the 1900's with you.
Skiing? Using specially developed compounds instead of melted candles? BANNED.
American Football? Lighter safety equipment? Stronger helmets? Face masks? BANNED!!!!!
Hockey? Lighter stronger skates? Puh-leeze.
Soccer? Lighter, special purpose 'boots'? outta here.
Horse racing?....hmm that might be the exception.
Bowling? Better lane conditioning machines? Better cover stock on bowling ball? the BOOT for you.
Then let's go to the 'games'
Pool? Stronger, lighter cues, better chalk, better table construction. BANNED!!!!
Any card game? Plastic Cards? Laminates? BRING BACK THE WOOD!!!!!
And you can only compare achievements in a specific era with the competition IN THAT generation. Comparing how fast person X was to how fast person Y is is at best difficult because, get this.....they competed in 2 DIFFERENT generations!!!!!!! Just the physiological and nutritional differences are enough to nullify any comparision. Apples to apples not apples to carrots.
I honestly believe that you just get your kicks from being a troll because there is apparently nothing else in your sad little existance that you have going for you. I broke my promise to myself to disregard your ravings. I hope that I can resist the idiocy in the future.
You and His Royal Highness need to get a room and see who can come up with the most stupid sports statement. I'd give you the slight edge but at least The King can swim.
